This week the Mamamia Office has been caught by two kinds of fever: Royal Baby and Political Blogger Idol.
We’ve been on royal baby watch for almost three weeks now, so there was a lot of whooping and excitement when we heard the news that Kate Middleton was on her way to the hospital.
The new Prince is completely adorable and we loved mum Kate’s nod to the late Lady Diana with her spotted dress and how adept Wills was at fastening a baby car seat. Impressive.
It’s been a pretty bleak few months of the news cycle, with sadness and cynicism dominating the media. So this news is all the more welcome, as the world can pause for a moment and celebrate something happy.
Political Blogger Idol may not be the topic of dinner table conversation the world over, but it’s dominated discussions here at Mamamia HQ.
We were overwhelmed by the huge number of applicants and the quality of the writing. We’re excited to see who our readers will chose to be the newest member of the Mamamia Team during the election campaign. It’s certainly a novel style of recruitment!
If you haven’t yet voted in Political Blogger Idol, there is a summary of the five finalists below and links to their exceptional political posts.
Now over to you, what’s been happening in your world?
Bonnie Campbell: A Bridget Jones’ Diary reference and we’re in. Bonnie uses clever pop culture references to pull some serious policy punches when it comes to the Government’s new asylum seeker policy. The judges liked that she pulled together strong opinion, backed up with solid research – while keeping the post interesting and engaging to a less politically interested reader. We all remember Kevin on Sunrise, right?
Click to read Bonnie Campbell’s post Come on Kevin, where is the love?‘
Amy Stockwell: The judges loved the easy-to-understand manner in which Amy explained an incredibly complex set of policy issues. She avoids Canberra ‘in-speak’ and uses humour to convey her message to great effect. If you’re confused about the difference between a carbon tax and an emissions trading scheme and want to understand which party is promising what when it comes to environmental action – then this post is for you.
Click to read Amy Stockwell’s post Carbon Tax versus ETS (in less than 5 minutes).
Scott Limbrick: Quality political satire is much harder to come by than it should be in Australia. And that’s exactly why the judges really enjoyed Scott’s piece, which is a great blend of wry political humour with a strong opinion about the use of Government advertising in the lead up to an election campaign. Scott skillfully takes on the voices of several politicians and political commentators in this post and his insights are hilarious.
Click to read Scott Limbrick’s post ‘“We used capital letters to really make the message hit home”.
3Girls, One Capital: This anonymous three blogger team from Canberra chose to look back over the political debate that has been, considering the treatment of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. They quote British feminist and comedian Caitlin Moran and bring a number of examples together to make their case that media coverage of Ms Gillard’s time in office was sexist. They also mount a pretty serious case against the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Click HERE to read 3Girls, One Capital’s post Ask yourself: Would we ever have treated a man like this?
Luke Cooper: Luke’s submission stood out because it is, quite simply, excellent factual news coverage. Luke offers up a clear and thorough explanation of a significant shift in Government policy that occurred last week. He presents the facts, not with sweeping statements and outraged exclamations, but instead relying on his research to make his position clear. Luke’s thorough and well constructed post is compelling writing.
Click HERE to read Luke Cooper’s post Is this really the be-all and end-all of asylum seeker policy?
Voting has now closed.
Top Comments
OMM: I am hoping someone can help me with some info...I need to have a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy and I am a bit frightened of both procedures. I will admit that I dont know a huge amount about either but from what I have heard they sound scary...can anyone enlighten me on what exactly both procedures entail? Its to investigate possible bleeding in the stomach/guy due to extremely low iron levels.
thanks in advance :)
They are really simple procedures done under twilight sedation. The worst part is the prep for the colonoscopy the stuff they give you to drink is gross and gives you a good clean out , you will get to know your toilet pretty well.
My partner had to have a colonoscopy last year. Like Ness says, the procedure is fine as you are sedated, it's the few days before where you can only eat broth and have to take a medicine to clear yourself out that are a bit tough. Make sure you get someone to reward you with nice big meal afterwards !
I had both a couple of years ago.
Was sedated so didn't feel or remember anything at all.
The only bad part is drinking the stuff before hand, stay home, near the toilet! It cleans you out completely.
I have had four colonoscopies and the prep is really the worst part.
In terms of the actual procedure you will be sedated but it is the same as having a general anaesthetic in that you won't be aware of or remember anything and the anaesthetist will give you something to make you feel pretty cruisy before they take you in.
Basically you will wait to called in, then given a gown to wear, then you will be on a bed in the waiting cubicles, the nurse will put an IV in, the anaesthetist will come and chat to you and check you out, then they'll give you drugs, then you will be taken in for the procedure which takes 10 or so min. Afterwards you will be in recovery and then when you are ok to sit up etc you will get a meal and then you can go home.
In terms of the prep you can only consume clear fluids and by the evening you get pretty sick of drinking apple juice so grab yourself some miso soup. After the sweet sickly prep stuff you will appreciate the savoury flavour. Get yourself a BIG pile of DVDs and comfy PJ's.
You'll be sweet!
I am 17 weeks pregnant and have not seen an OBGYN yet. I do not have a family doctor, so I've been going to walk in clinics since I found out I was pregnant. I am been pregnant before, so I know what tests to do/when so I usually time my walk -in visits accordingly. I am getting an 18 week ultrasound next week. I am not scheduled to see my OBGYN until I am almost 22 weeks pregnant (time he set). I have great blood pressure, no problems, but I have to wonder...is this late appointment time typical for second and beyond pregnancies, if it is not a complicated pregnancy? With my first I saw the OBGYN at 14 weeks. When did you see your OBGYN for the first time during your pregnancy?
Thanks.
I saw a GP at around 8 weeks when first pregnant, then again at around 16 weeks, then not again til closer to 25 or so weeks. He didn't tell me I needed to come in every four weeks and I was admonished by him, which I thought was out of line considering it was his job to make sure I knew my obligations as a pregnant patient.
I didn't see an actual OBGYN until I was around 32 weeks pregnant, and it was the hospital administered one. It took that long because I moved in that time, and had to book into a new hospital etc. Then I saw an OBGYN a few more times at the hospital before giving birth.
My understanding is as long as you've been seeing a doctor to get check ups every 4 weeks or so, and get the 20 week morphology scan (which I think requires a doctor's referral), there shouldn't be a problem with seeing an OBGYN for the first time at 22 weeks.
I went and saw my normal doctor about 8 weeks and they wrote out the lists etc for the tests and ultrasounds and gave me a referral to our local hospital / pregnancy clinic. (public). I didn't have my first apt with them until 21 weeks - am also low risk with no other health problems - this is quite standard too in the public system anyway. They did send me out the slip for the 20 week scan in the mail, but all up I will only have about 4 appts with midwife/OB.