Grim. This applies across all the "traditionally male" disciplines though. I was a female PhD and was once screamed at (the kind of level of screaming that makes the screamer go red in the face and spit at you ) becuase I unplugged, picked up, carried to another room, and re-plugged/connected a few bits of kit. They…

noooooo it isn't. A baby takes two to make and both those two need to be in on it. I am genuinely shocked that people would do this. This gives ammunition to the "ladies be crazy" brigade. Just not OK.

I love shoes. I love heels, I love wedges. But I also love my clunky hill running shoes, and my ugly sandals. Becuase in the end, shoes have a purpose. They're for feeling taller in, feeling sexy in, or for running up mountains in. Or for slipping into diving fins. Or for hiking. Or for jogging.

Wow. Don't worry too much about the radiation (it's way, way less harmful than is depicted unless you ingest an actual particle of contaminated stuff..)

Because you are utterly fabulous, my dear. Tall, gorgeous and intruiging. As my father once said to me "Everyone wants to be normal, but noone wants to be ordinary...think about that."

Apparently it is. I now live in Sweden and no one bats an eyelid, but when I lived in the UK, I was apparently target for abuse. Purely because I was pale, freckly and a bit ginge. I live din Scotland (more civilised) and it wasn't an issue, but ooooft. Kids can be cruel.

Wow. You had a potentially nasty but in the end very manageable and well managed situation. (you rock...you have my absolutle admiration)

Yup...paywall journals SUCK.

Let me just give my two pennorth here.

yeah, some people are undatable.but... its not the lovely quite shy guys who think they're a bit nerdy. The guys who are really undatebale are the assholes who think they're god's gift ...

I totally do! I actually have a TON of research in birth/epigenentic type shit. Science rocks, either way :)

No, no no...

Yes, as you say, it's not to be entered into lightly, but when you need it, it's a life saver. It is major surgery, and if you can do a vaginal birth with ease then do. But if you need a C section, then go for it.

You absolutely can comment. I despair at the differential prescribing between US and Sweden. Percocet...we wish. You can't even get Difflan here OTC (Also, good on you for just getting through it..high five from me, here, in Sweden, gently dreading..)

That's great that you had that experience - (and rocking that you have twins... I have a vested interest..how is it? It must be tough, can you give me tips? ) but the section...was it planned? I have a few friends (back in the day) who helped out at planned C sections. They all goo gooed about how amazing it was to…

14 lb babies aren't something we all want, but to me (I'm a scientist who has done some work on foetal overgrowth) this doesn't look like "just" gestational diabetes. Don't forget that GD can affect women of normal and low BMI as well. One of the thinnest, fittest ladies I know had a terrible time with GD in all three…

It's just that amazing "wow, nature is bloody fabulous, eh?" thing. You just have the makings of a scientist ... :)

Yup..there is a theory that you kind of carry the baby until the strain on your body is no longer viable. So if you're a tiny lady carrying twins, they are going to come along earlier than your six foot amazonian pal.

Hullo!! There are manymany things that direct birthweight. I actually did my undergrad thesis on this (I'm A Proper Scientist now, so hopefully I have an inkling.)

Your Aunt... buy her a drink from me next time you see her. Or just clap her on the arm and give her "the look of respect."