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Articles by Kate Dyson
Misdiagnosed, dismissed, ignored: the women's health crisis
For more than two decades, I was told by doctors that my pain was normal, and heavy bleeding was part and parcel of womanhood. My experience isn't unusual; in fact, in a survey of 5100 women in the UK, more than half felt that their pain was dismissed or ignored. Behind these statistics are women suffering, frequently without adequate support, and who—despite trying to advocate for themselves—have experienced misdiagnosis, contempt, and medical misogyny.
What People Don't Understand About Modern Addiction
Addiction today looks nothing like the stereotypes most people carry in their heads. The image of someone living on the streets or losing everything overnight doesn’t match the reality for millions of people struggling with substance use. Modern addiction hides in plain sight, affecting people who seem to have everything together on the outside. The person sitting next to you in class might be addicted to prescription stimulants they started taking to study better.
"Setting up a campaign to fight for single parent rights wasn't a choice - it was a necessity"
Ruth Talbot, campaigner and founder of Single Parent Rights, advocates for equality for single parents in the UK. Here, she tells us that despite it never being her intention to become a campaigner, she felt she had no choice in order to address the inequality that she, and single parents around the UK experience. I didn’t set out to become a campaigner. I became one because I had to.
Everyone raves about how it improves their skin, hair and joint health. But does Collagen really work?
Collagen is everywhere right now – added to coffee, packed into gummies, or sold as a benefit in skincare. It’s touted as the secret to glowing skin, shiny hair and joints that don’t ache. But does collagen really work, or is it just the latest wellness fad with a glossy label?
How to recognise domestic abuse - and what to do if you are in an abusive relationship
Recognising you are in an abusive relationship can be hard – but here’s how to seek the help you need and deserve to escape. written in collaboration with the team at Reach Out Domestic Abuse Service Despite what we’re told, sometimes we aren’t always sure that the behaviour we are experiencing in our relationship is normal, or abusive. Because abuse isn’t always physical, it can creep into a relationship and slowly, make you doubt reality.
10 "Thank you, Teacher" gifts for every budget that they'll genuinely love
This post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a small % from your sale in commission, at no cost to you. We use this revenue to support our website and we’re incredibly grateful for any purchase made as a result of the recommendations made for you.
Recognising signs of perimenopause - but your GP has dismissed your concerns? Here's what to do next
Laura sat in front of her GP, and sobbed. At 39, she was experiencing symptoms that she believed to be early signs of perimenopause – but her GP disagreed. “Let’s do blood tests, and go from there.” he said. “It’s more likely deficiencies. Many women at your age have low B12, for example, and as a mum it’s no wonder you are tired.” He gave her form, explaining that the bloods would give him an idea of her hormone levels too.
The best things we've bought to treat ourselves when we're shattered and in need of TLC
Hands up, who else is running on fumes at this point? Whether you are knackered because you’ve been up all night with the baby, or your toddler is running rings around you, or you are parenting while in perimenopause, let’s call it: some days we’re absolutely done in. And why is ‘knackered’ the default setting for women?
Colostrum harvesting is everywhere. Is it really worth it - and how do you actually do it?
Charlotte Hoskin, registered midwife at My Expert Midwife, shares her expert tips on colostrum harvesting. If you’re approaching the final weeks of your pregnancy, you might be hearing whispers (or maybe even full-blown conversations!) about colostrum harvesting. And as a midwife, let me start by saying: you’re doing beautifully already by being here and exploring this gentle, proactive way to prepare for feeding your baby. Colostrum is often called ‘liquid gold’, and for good reason.
6 tried, tested and recommended fans to keep cool during sweaty heatwave - and perimenopause - nights
This post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a small % from your sale in commission, at no cost to you. We use this revenue to support our website and we’re incredibly grateful for any purchase made as a result of the recommendations made for you. Ever tried to survive a sticky summer with a toddler on your hip, or with hot flashes that send your core temperature to ‘lava’, with a fan that feels more like someone gently exhaling on you?
From extended paternity leave to decriminalisation of abortion, here's 6 things we're talking about this month
This post includes affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We use the revenue to support our website. This month we’ve noticed that the conversation around women’s health, rights and support is picking up real momentum. From landmark policy shifts to powerful new campaigns and some long-overdue workplace changes, June has brought a wave of progress that’s worth shouting about.
How to Put in Contact Lenses: A Step-by-Step Guide for Busy Mums
If you’re anything like me, mornings are a whirlwind, breakfast negotiations, last-minute PE kits, and a coffee that’s gone cold before you’ve even taken a sip. So when it comes to something like wearing contact lenses, ease and speed are essential. Whether you’re new to lenses or just haven’t quite mastered the technique, having a clear step-by-step guide can make all the difference.
Antibiotics aren't always the answer: My 15-Year battle to break free from UTIs
I was 16 when I had my first UTI and it didn’t stop there. What should have been a simple infection turned into a 10-year cycle of pain, antibiotics, and dismissal. UTIs became a recurring part of my life, dictating everything from holidays to intimacy to how I felt in my own skin. Like so many women, I was caught in a pattern: infection, antibiotics, temporary relief, then back to square one. No one explained why it kept happening. No one looked deeper.
These are our go-to deodrants that actually help perimenopausal stinky armpits
Hands up – who else is doing a discrete sniff of the ol’ pits to check for whiffs now our hormones are haywire? WHY did no-one warn us that perimenopause might come with a distinct new aroma? That moment when peri really hits and you get that little whiff yourself and start tracking back to our last shower (and even if it was this morning, we’ve probably forgotten anyway). Of course not! It’s just another delight in the hormonal lucky dip that is perimenopause.
I've just had a baby. Surely I can't be having hot flushes already?
You’ve ‘just’ had a baby. You’re deep in the fog of sleepless nights, endless feeding, and a body that barely feels like your own. But just as your pelvic floor is starting to recover, you start to feel – weird. Perhaps a hot flush, but you think it’s a short lived fever… until another one, and another one. Brain fog descends… or is it baby-brain? There’s an unease, some palpitations, headaches that make you need to lie down, and your periods are ridiculously heavy. It’s normal, right?
Is It Just Me, or Did Motherhood Break My Brain?
Ever walked into a room and completely forgotten what the hell you are there for? Opened your mouth to speak just as your thoughts completely… evaporated? Or how many times have you sat staring at your inbox with a brain so foggy you could swear it was coated in clingfilm? I once found the kettle in the fridge and left the hob on for 4 hours before realising, so I’m here to tell you that despite how it might feel, you’re not losing it. I promise, you’re not failing, either.
Motherpause: No One Talks About the Bit Between Baby and Menopause (and Why We Should)
Over the last ten years, we’ve noticed trends come and go on The Motherload. But one ‘trend’ that we noticed a couple of years ago was the in-between that women navigate, between postpartum and perimenopause – and it’s largely misunderstood and ignored. We hear plenty about the joy – and exhaustion! – of early motherhood, and at the other end, more and more of us are finally having open conversations about menopause. But what about everything in between?
Managing Menstrual Migraine Attacks
That monthly headache pattern actually has a name – and a scientific explanation. For roughly 7.6% of all women and 22% of female migraine sufferers, hormones become unwelcome headache triggers during menstruation. The pain isn’t just inconvenient; it’s often more severe than regular migraines, lasting longer and fighting harder against treatment. What’s happening inside your body during these attacks?
Why Are So Many New Mums Experiencing Postnatal Depression (and What if You Have It?)
Chloe had wanted to be a mum for as long as she could remember. When she fell pregnant in 2022, it felt like ‘a coming home’, almost. “I loved being pregnant. I loved my changing body, feeling my baby grow inside of me, and we were so excited to welcome our new arrival and become a little family of 3.” When their daughter was born, Chloe and Ben took her home after a pretty uneventful birth, and prepared for life as new parents. But for Chloe, things felt a little off from the start.
The Busy Mum’s Guide to CoolSculpting
As a busy mum, finding time for yourself can be impossible. Between caring for your children, managing household responsibilities, and juggling a career, dedicating time to self-care seems like a luxury you can’t afford. Yet, feeling confident in your body is essential to your overall well-being. Enter CoolSculpting: a non-invasive fat freezing treatment that promises to help you achieve your body goals without surgery or downtime. But is it as convenient and effective as it sounds?
Making Moments Magical With These Unique Ways To Announce Your Big News
Sharing big news is always a special occasion, and how you announce it can make the moment truly unforgettable. Whether it’s announcing a new addition to the family, a major life change, or any other exciting news, there’s no shortage of ways to make it memorable. You can turn your announcement into an event by thinking creatively and adding a personal touch. Here are some unique and engaging ways to share your big news, each designed to help you make the most of this special moment.
The Best Plants and Vines for Decorating Your Garden Gazebo
Nestled in the heart of every well-designed garden, gazebos offer a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These charming structures not only provide a focal point but also create a versatile space for relaxation and entertainment. To elevate your garden gazebo into a verdant haven, selecting the right plants and vines is crucial. Here’s a guide to choosing the best greenery to enhance the beauty and tranquillity of your gazebo, ensuring a timeless allure that transcends seasons.
The closure of Sure Start centres by the Tories; and the impact on child development
Sure Start centres were established in the late 1990s by the Labour government with the goal of providing support and resources to families with young children. The initiative was intended to reduce inequality, provide access to services and education, and improve children’s health and development. Sure Start centres were designed to be community-based facilities, offering a wide range of services to families with children under the age of five.
Can We Stop Calling C-Sections The 'Easy' Option?
'The harsh reality is that we have very little control over the birthing process. You can hope, and plan, and write reams of details onto those labour notes; but the truth is that birth is an unpredictable process.' by Kate Dyson | Posted4 hours ago As the proud mother of three ‘sunroof’ babies, I’m under no illusion that a caesarean section – or abdominal birth as it’s now becoming commonly known as – is an easy option.
The Energy Consumption Of Your TV
What Affects My TV Power Usage? Even though the television (TV) uses relatively less electricity, as compared to larger electrical appliances, how you use them can have a major impact on its energy efficiency. In this guide, we will address the question on everybody’s mind: How much energy does my TV consume? Exactly how much electricity your TV uses depends on both size and type of TV, as well as the amount of time you use it.
You Aren’t Too Young for Breast Cancer: Please, Check Your Breasts
Yesterday on social media, former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding shared the news that she has breast cancer and that it has spread to other areas of her body. I came across it on Twitter. As soon as I saw the photo of her in a hospital gown, I thought ‘breast cancer’. That’s not all that surprising. One in eight women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Think about eight women you know – mum friends, university friends, work colleagues. One of them, or you.
The Debut Author Panel No.3
This article contains affiliate links. Laura and the team are delighted to welcome six new authors to The Motherload® Book Club as they present their debut novels and discuss their books. All six authors will be live in the group to answer questions after the panel, and you’ll have a chance to win their books. Please join us on Wednesday, 24th June at 8pm. The panel will run for one hour, and the Q&A will start at 9pm.
Pandemic Could Shape Video Testimony In Criminal Trials
By Kate Dyson, Virginia Romano and Yanbing Chu April 14, 2020, 5:45 PM EDT Law360 (April 14, 2020, 5:45 PM EDT) -- Kate Dyson Virginia Romano Yanbing Chu Our criminal justice system is one of human interaction; indeed, one of its bedrock principles is a defendant’s right to confront and cross-examine witnesses. In light of this constitutional right, two-way video witness testimony in criminal trials is rare.
Live Video Transmission of Trial Testimony Under Rule 43
In 1996, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a) was amended to allow contemporaneous transmission of testimony from a remote location upon a showing of “good cause in compelling circumstances.” The Advisory Committee noted in making this amendment, however, that “[t]he importance of presenting live testimony in court cannot be forgotten” and that transmission “cannot be justified merely by showing that it is inconvenient for the witness to attend the trial.” In other words, the default should...
F*ck the Fairytale, Marriage is Tough
Last night, Mr Dyson and I had a row.
Innovation in school-level dental risk assessment: an evidence based Index of Dental Risk
During the past few decades, the prevalence and incidence of childhood dental caries (decay) in Australia has substantially declined.1 Most now affected are poor and/or disadvantaged children2,3, including Indigenous Australians, because of multifaceted social factors and social determinants.4 This change in disease distribution requires a targeted approach to planning school dental services using community caries risk assessment.
Innovation in school-level dental risk assessment: an evidence based Index of Dental Risk
Introduction During the past few decades, the prevalence and incidence of childhood dental caries (decay) in Australia has substantially declined.1 Most now affected are poor and/or disadvantaged children2,3, including Indigenous Australians, because of multifaceted social factors and social determinants.4 This change in disease distribution requires a targeted approach to planning school dental services using community caries risk assessment.
Safe Zone: Abortion Without Harassment
As we left the baby group, the sun shone and it was a mild day as we walked back into Ealing from the church where we had been bouncing our babies on our knees, singing songs in the hall and drinking tea while we compared notes on early motherhood. We walked together, two abreast, along Mattock Lane, chattering amongst us while pushing our babies in their prams, planning where we would stop for coffee before heading home for naps and lunches.
Meet: Kate, Founder
I’m the Founder of The Motherload®. I created it in June 2015, after needing a place to be myself and discuss my version of motherhood; which as it turns out, is nearly 60,000 women’s version too. I believed that motherhood shouldn’t be judged, guilt-tripped or lonely. I know we can’t create a world totally void of that, but I hope we can start to make a difference with the way we interact with other mothers and women and hopefully, think with kindness first.
Parenting Circles of Hell: The Supermarket
It is a well known fact that The Supermarket is in fact the seventh circle of hell for parents of toddlers. And pre-schoolers. And primary, secondary… oh stuff it, most kids. Shopping with kids full stop is a particular pain that most of us dread but for some reason, The Supermarket is a special, fire-burning hell that should only be braved by the thick of skin and girded of loin.
A Response.
Dear Mark, You’ll have to forgive my tardiness with my ‘response’. I’m afraid I spent Sunday, while you were trying to get a reaction from me on Twitter, by my elderly and poorly Grandmother’s side as it was expected to be the last time I will see her. As I got home late, I’m afraid dealing with your passive-aggressive ‘right to reply’ private message on my personal Facebook account wasn’t at the top of my list, as you might imagine. But brace yourself.
Boring Money: Planning for the Future
The Motherload® has been talking to the brilliant financial website Boring Money, about savings versus investments, junior ISAs and pensions (surely we’re too young to worry about those?) You can catch up on last week’s live broadcast with CEO of Boring Money Holly Mackay in The Motherload® here. But finance can be a tricky old world to navigate so we’ve been asking Boring Money to help us fathom it out… I want to save some money, but what should I do with it?
Boring Money: Why Investing Isn’t Just for Rich People
Isn’t investing that thing that really rich people with pots and pots of money do? The Motherload® has been talking to the brilliant financial website Boring Money, to find out whether it’s something the rest of us mere mortals could benefit from too… Isn’t investing all a bit ‘Wolf of Wall Street’? Is it really for someone like me? Okay, investing could do with an image makeover.
Dating Mr Dyson
Last night I went on a date with my husband. A date. An out-out, night in a hotel, restaurant and drinks, date. High heels, makeup, hold you up underwear, bit of boob, date. Aftershave and perfume, shower beforehand, hair blowdried and teeth sparkly DATE. When I was a wild young thing hearing married people say ‘date’ would make me cringe. Bunch of saddos! Who dates their husband? Well, me, and my wild young thing can go boil her head in her vat of cringe.
60 Reasons The Kids Are Crying
Ah, tantrums. The moment that little big eyed, chubby and gorgeous baby turns into a writhing mess of angry toddler can leave us feeling aghast, out of control and quite frankly, close to meltdown ourselves. And the reason? Why, you cut their toast into squares, instead of triangles, you fool! The members of The Motherload® shared their kid’s most epic reasons for a meltdown; nearly 400 of them to be precise. Here, we’ve condensed it into a bite size 60.
13 Ways To Avoid Being A Sweaty Betty This Summer
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hot. Hot, hot, really f*cking hot. And, for many of us, our bodies are no longer the slimline version they were at 22, but rather now we find rolls of fat in rolls of fat, leaving us daydreaming of nothing more than the utter pleasure of slipping into a freezing cold bath at the end of the day.
UK Heatwave: Keeping Baby Cool
Phew! It’s hot! Keeping little ones cool during a heatwave can be a worry and a bit of a battle. And your worry is justified – the heat alone can make children and babies agitated, uncomfortable and even quite poorly, so knowing how to cope with the hot weather is key. But how, what and where?
Grenfell Tower Fire: How Can I Help? (UPDATED 16/6/17)
The overwhelming support of the public offering donations of clothing and food has meant that many of the collection centres are now having to close. So if you still want to help, where is your support best placed? We’ve put together this quick guide for you to find open collection centres, reputable fundraising and places that need your physical support.
The Emergency Services: Heroes, or Humans?
“This is an completely unprecedented fire. In my twenty-nine years in London Fire Brigade I have never seen a fire of this nature, and I have seen many high rise fires.” London Fire Commissioner, Dany Cotton. The Grenfell Tower fire last night shocked us all. We recoiled from the possibility that this could happen in these modern times; we asked each other how could it happen? But that’s a question we’ve been asking a lot recently.
Your Vote is POWERFUL; Please Use It!
None of us could have missed the fact that the General Election is happening tomorrow, and with Labour beating the odds to gain ground that initially appeared to be completely lost, tomorrow could have surprising and exciting results for the UK. So you might be thinking that this is one of those blogs that are doing the rounds that will tell you which way to vote; where I impose my opinion on your vote tomorrow and persuade you to vote for the same party as I. That would be Labour, cough cough.
#WeStandWithManchester
There is a deep sadness inside my heart that I must discuss such awful atrocity with my daughters, but I will. Last night, at ten-thirty in the evening, a suicide bomber detonated a nail bomb in the foyer of the Manchester Arena, at an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two people – many of them very young – have lost their lives, with many more injured or missing.
Why IS the Daily Mail So Intent on Mum-Shaming?
Last night, at eleven o’clock, as I was popping away the last of the dishes, finishing my work (and wine) and getting the school things ready for the morning I received a message from a close friend. “Christ!”, it said. “That’s some roasting!” I clicked the link (eurgh) and up popped Anna May Mangan‘s vitriolic take down of the ‘Slummy Mummy’ in the Daily Mail, that bastion of women-haters, mother-guilt-trippers and cancer-scaremongerers.
Network Marketing: A Cult For Mums?
My friend ‘Marie’* called me about three years ago, excited that she had something to discuss with me, and that it was going to turn her life around. “This is it, Kate! I’ve been waiting for something like this, to start my own business! I’m so excited. Let’s meet – I want to tell you about it; I think you’ll love it too, it’s so brilliant, I’m thinking about handing my notice in at work – there are actual millionaires working in this company.
Term-time Holiday Ban: The Motherload Speaks Out
After Jon Platt lost his battle with the courts over the fixed penalty notice he was issued with for taking his daughter to Disney World Florida during term-time, we sought our members’ opinions on whether they felt that the Supreme Court had made the right decision, or whether they agreed with Jon Platt’s warning that the State was restricting a parent’s ‘right to parent’. We asked MOLOs in The Motherload® Facebook group who they agreed with; The Supreme Court, or Jon Platt?
#DryMOLO: A New Horizon for The Motherload
UPDATE: 12 noon 1st April 2017: WHOOPS MOLOS! Did we trick you? Yes, this was our April Fool’s prank – don’t fear, The Motherload®’s policy of maternal alcohol consumption is going NOWHERE – now, where did I put that wine? Apologies for the minor heart attack we may have induced. *RESPONSIBLE DRINKING WARNING, BLAH BLAH BLAH* ♥ Here on The Motherload®, we take parenting seriously.
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