Being pregnant when you have a toddler can be challenging for anyone but it’s a short period in your life so don’t feel guilty about lapsed good habits or asking for help. it should simply be about getting through it the best way you can.

Pregnant life when you have a toddler is hard work and Kay shares some great practical tips that will make a difference and help you get through.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sleep when your toddler sleeps, napping will become your favourite part of the day
• You may need to put healthy foods and good habits on the back burner.
• Don’t feel guilty about the habits of your toddler.
• Focus on looking after yourself and your firstborn above all else.
• The first trimester is hard you are not only growing a whole new person you are growing a whole new organ.
• Don’t forget to ask for help when you need it, you will need a break.
• Take everything one day or one hour at a time and don’t feel bad about changing plans.

BEST MOMENTS

‘The first trimester is about making it through’

‘You brace yourself for some of the toughest weeks of your life’

‘You will hang out for nap time don’t try and fight it’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay wants what many parents want for their children something extraordinary. She reflects why it is that many think an acceptable response whatever the question is ‘it’ll be fine.

Is fine what you want for your children or are you willing to put in the time to put them on the path to extraordinary through taking the time to ask the right questions and do the research?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I don’t want my kids to have an OK life I want them to have an extraordinary life.
• The most important task we undertake as parents is raising our children.
• We should take the same care with whatever they are doing
• I did a lot of research when looking for a nursery and asked a lot of questions and the answer was always ‘they’ll be fine whatever the question.
• Sometimes on a day fine is all any of us can manage but as an inspiration, ‘fine’ isn’t enough
• I want it to be totally extraordinary for them

BEST MOMENTS

‘Do you want a fine life for them? What extraordinary do you want for them?’

‘Whatever we are doing and wherever we are going I like to investigate it fully’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay is on a rant today following a scene she witnessed whilst out and about. A distressed child was sent on the last part of the journey to the school gate alone by the adult who was with them.

Kay looks at why children deserve to always feel special and safe and why parents and adults need to have compassion and understanding.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It was a rainy day and everyone was going about their business.
• As adults and parents, it’s important to have compassion.
• That child was walking up to school broken hearted
• What else in our lives as adults is so special that we can’t take the time to look after a child?
• Why couldn’t that adult found five more minutes?
• A child should always be taken into school.
• A child should always know that whatever the situation an adult will make it better for them.
• Why can’t adults find the time for their children?
• A child should always feel special and  a priority for those adults around them

BEST MOMENTS

‘I wanted to say everything will be alright and give the child a hug’

‘What can be more important than taking the time to look after a child?’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Every parent wants their children to be happy but what is the best way to achieve this?

Kay looks at the importance of teaching your children how to create their own happiness so that they can achieve happiness throughout their lives.

When you are with your children they are looking to you to learn and those children who practice positivity grow up to be adults who can create their own happiness so how you interact, communicate and teach behaviours through your interaction is key in developing the life skills that make a positive difference.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• If you teach them how to be happy they are able to create their own happiness.
• Teach them how to get the things they want through negotiation and compromise
• Be present with them and have the intimate and positive relationship that means they know someone cares about them.
• When they want to help it’s an opportunity to be with them, growing trust and teaching them.
• Communication is key, let them understand you are hearing them and that they have something of value to say.
• Teach your children the life skills that mean they will be able to see the positive even in challenging situations
• Children learn from us so teach by example practising compassion and your children will learn this.

BEST MOMENTS

‘To see them smile and laugh and that be part of their day’

‘Kids who practice positivity grow up to be adults who can create their own happiness’

‘Mean it when you say sorry to them and always say thank you’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

In this fascinating episode, Kay shares great advice and information about sleep apnoea in children.

She highlights a range of indicators that mean sleep apnoea should be considered and explains what to do if you think your child is struggling with sleep apnoea.

It’s important to understand how sleep apnoea can potentially impact on a child in the long term and in knowing what the indicators are you are in a much better position to take the action you need to for your child and their well-being.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There are long term implications for children with sleep apnoea as it can affect growth and behaviour.
• There are a range of indicators that when present mean sleep apnoea should be considered.
• Bedwetting – if it happens more than twice a week.
• Sweating – it’s not normal for children whilst sleeping.
• Restless sleep - this can be a sign of struggles during the night.
• Unusual sleeping positions – as children try to breathe during sleep.
• Snoring can be a possible indicator of sleep apnoea.
• Growth problems - because if sleep is disrupted less growth hormone is released
• If a child continues to nap this can be a sign as the child is tired due to lack of sleep during the night.
• Mouth breathing – as humans usually breath through their noses.
• Children with ADHD can also struggle with sleep apnoea
• Sleep apnoea can lead to both cognitive and psychosocial problems

BEST MOMENTS

‘You may not think about sleep apnoea as a condition affecting children’

‘Look out for sleepwalking, bedwetting and snoring’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay shares a reflective and entertaining account of the summer of 2020 in this episode.

For everyone, the world has been different and if you have children it has been not only different but exhausting as parents moved to fulfil the role of teachers when we all had to stay at home.

When your children are all grown up with little ones of their own and they reflect on the challenges of the long summer holiday from school your reply will undoubtedly be along the lines of…..you don’t know how lucky you are in 2020 …….

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• All we had was Netflix and a colouring book.
• We couldn’t make anything because someone stole all the flour.
• There were no macaroni necklaces because the pasta had disappeared
• We couldn’t have a night off because everywhere was closed
• We only saw other people on a Thursday when we clapped for the nurses.
• There were no TV soap programmes imagine that!
• You were bored, hot and still hungry despite having 14 breakfasts
• A fella was on the telly every morning attempting to keep you fit but you only watched 2 minutes before you put sponge bob on.
• We had to attempt to teach you printing out endless sheets at midnight for you to say you didn’t understand.
• We had to give up our phones so you could facetime your mates.
• We dug out the paddling pools and got stung by wasps.
• We had no money but ordered loads of stuff from Amazon and playgrounds were taped off like crime scenes……

BEST MOMENTS

‘We had to attempt to teach you, with you only giving it 4 seconds before saying we weren’t doing it like Mrs Jones’

‘We redecorated the gardens and the bedrooms and forgot what a bedtime was’

‘We gave in to technology far too much’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay reflects on working at home with her little ones back at nursery. After such a long time with everyone together, it’s very different and she explains how even though you know you are doing the best for your little ones the Mummy guilt is quick to appear.

This episode and the feelings of Mummy guilt will resonante with many Mums who are sending their little ones back to nursery and school after being with them at home for many months.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• When you have small children their presence in any environment is very visible in every way.
• Going back to nursery is an important step and a vital part of education.
• It can be very different to be at home when your children are not there. They fill the space with laughter, tears and lots of noise and toys
• It’s very strange to have little ones back in Nursery after such a long time.
• Mummy guilt is about always worrying if you’ve done the right thing even when your rational thinking says you have.
• You can feel like you are the worst parent in the world and that you are doing something wrong.
• Being at Nursery is the best thing for them and overcoming the Mummy guilt is just part of being a parent.

BEST MOMENTS

‘I wanted them to tell me about their day and to have a little bit more time with them’

‘It’s all very strange mummy guilt’

‘With them not in it, it’s just a shell of a house’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay is in the middle of a very special day because it’s the first day back at nursery. She is going back to work and her twins are returning to the nurturing environment of nursery.

As she tries to juggle many different things over the day she reflects on the changes to nursery and the importance of being with others to further nurture and happiness when you are little.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I was apprehensive but it all seems to be going ok
• Nurseries are in a really difficult position post lockdown
• Before they would have welcomed the children in with a hug but now we don’t know what’s the best thing to do.
• I have, as a parent, made the decision for my children to be nurtured during the day.
• The staff are nurturing them  in a kind, loving environment
• They are in a safe place where they are happy
• Nursery is the best place for them.
• They can carry and have infections and they need to build up their immunity.
• Children need to play and to learn to move forward

BEST MOMENTS

‘Enjoy that your children are going into a safe environment’

‘You have to be prepared for everything’

‘You have to know you are doing the best thing for you and your children’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay has a rant about the differences between men and women, why they need to have explicit instructions to achieve anything at home and how they don’t listen to anything you are saying.

She asks, ‘how should we plan to tell our other halves how not to be arses and do something that would help?’  

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• With men, you have to slow it down for them and put everything in order.
• You have to be explicit about what you want, spelling it out clearly.
• Men don’t listen to what you are saying unless you make it very clear.
• I’m trying to split the role so we share the care of the children through both the day and the night.
• Men think they are doing their fair share but the reality is very different in most families.
• Mostly its women who take on caring for children in a family.
• Women are usually more proactive in any home situation.
• Sometimes it can be easier to do it yourself than spend the time explaining and getting someone else to do it.

BEST MOMENTS

‘When we get angry the Glaswegian comes out in us’

‘It’s been 20 weeks now and he’s always there’

‘He’s lurking about because he knows there are things to be done’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After

Kay continues sharing her day to day experiences of being a Mum of twins and in this episode discusses how it’s can be so important to find so time away from being a Mummy, a time where you are able to just be you.

When you have children, every day is an emotional rollercoaster and some can bring more complex emotions to deal with and get through.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• When you have more than one child the time you have with them individually is very precious.
• The emotions you experience when your child is physical can make you feel conflicted.
• It’s important that any unacceptable behaviour is identified and it’s explained how to behave differently.
• Being able to take time out from your role as a Mummy is vital.
• Being able to speak to other Mums who have been on the IVF journey can make all the difference.
• It’s important to talk to others and help each other along on the journey through life

BEST MOMENTS

‘I don’t seem to have slowed down for lockdown have you?’

‘I was so glad to be able to let off steam with my sister’

‘I loved speaking with another Mum who had had a similar IVF journey to me’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

IVF Before and After Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

IVF Before and After was founded by Kay Dempsey. She created IVF Before and After, after many years spent researching and practising every possible way to conceive with IVF. Kay has created a global community with the use of podcasts she will share the stepping stones to empower your mindset, fuel your body organically and support you along your fertility journey.

CONTACT METHOD

https://www.instagram.com/ivfbeforeandafter/

https://twitter.com/IVFBEFOREAFTER

https://www.facebook.com/IVF-Before-and-After