September 2019 #7

[easterbuns1]

I get nervous when it's so close to post 999..:

[Megan2018]

Thank you :) placemarking so I can find us again.

[excitednerves]

I called the day assessment centre about the bleeding - they said to come in right away. I’ve been checked over and have cervical ectropion (basically cells that should be on the inside are on the outside, and they bleed really easily). Bleed is coming from that but they’re not worried about it so just waiting on blood test results so I can go home. Feeling reassured.

I will have to start listening to Mr Excited and start taking it easy. This is one of the aspects of pregnancy that Ive found hardest as I’m generally active, sporty and have a bit of an “I can do anything the boys can do” attitude. It doesn’t sit well to just rest or accept people helping with things like carrying bags.

Still, it’s only for another 16 weeks and it will be so worth it.

[GemmaJen]

//docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VUDuTLeibUnnaCWCjb-pqUe4Wnq-fTau4HJgmE1XE3c/edit?usp=sharing

[sugarsprinklesrainbowdrops]

Ah you've all planned mat leave! I've no idea what to do. I'm still off work because of neverending hyperemesis (although last time it eased up a little around 25/26 weeks so hopefully it'll get a bit better soon...although I am now on crutches for SPD & work were going to look into how this would impact things...)

My work have asked me for dates & I'm not sure whether they want me to say I'll go off from 29 weeks (I think they're worried that I'm unlikely to come back properly). I was hoping to hold out a bit longer and go off from maybe 34 weeks, using 4 weeks of annual leave and then mat leave from 38 weeks. I'm planning to take shared parental leave with DH so if I go off at 29 weeks, I'd be heading back to work before the baby is 3 months old! I don't know if I'll annoy work by not wanting to take maternity leave from the earliest possible opportunity if I am still on sick leave in a few weeks.

[BridgetJonesDaiquiri]

Thanks @easterbuns1!

[db92]

Thanks @easterbuns1

I plan to finish work at 36 weeks (14 weeks time), use 4 weeks annual leave I have left and then start maternity leave on my due date. That's the plan in an ideal world of baby stays put until then! If for any reason my maternity leave starts early I'll be paid the annual leave instead as ours renews in April and cannot be carried over

[Megan2018]

@excitednerves
Glad all is ok and you have an explanation.
I feel the same - I have had to stop riding due to my tiny amount of one off spotting as they suspect that baby being low and the impact from riding is the explanation (although it might not be). But I feel incredibly well, so not being able to do what I love in this lovely weather is totally depressing. But I am trying to adjust with good grace!

[boodles101]

AHH I just posted on the old thread and then saw the new one so I'll copy and paste!

boodles101

I think I'm going to start mat leave on 2nd August when I'll be 34 weeks. I think any layer than that and I might be risking being very uncomfortable/ going into labour at work. I figure I can always bring it forwards if I'm struggling. Then possible csection around 36-37 weeks. I'm finding it a bit confusing as I need to make a decision now but haven't actually had any info or advice from a consultant yet!

[easterbuns1]

@sugarsprinklesrainbowdrops if you carry on being signed off with a pregnancy related illness then they can't force you start your maternity leave before four weeks before your due date. If you feel they are trying to get you to start your leave earlier than that then get advice because you don't want to lose the valuable time with baby at the other end.

I had this with my youngest and a friend of mine is currently in same argument with her employer (spd also) but they haven't a leg to stand on.

[easterbuns1]

@excitednerves I had this with previous two but so far been very lucky this time round, I remember the worry each time though even when we knew it was most likely my cervix each time. Try not to overdo it, easier said than done I know!

I've been out running errands this morning and sat out in the garden this afternoon, I usually love the heat and am a total sun worshipper but I can't seem to cope with the heat now! Really need to find some proper maternity shorts!

[happydays00]

@excitednerves glad all is ok. Well done for going to get checked out! Try and take it easy - even though that is often easier said than done.

My mum and dad have horses and I nearly got kicked in the stomach by a little sh*t of a Shetland pony this morning. It missed me by inches and now I keep thinking how bloody close it was!!

@april88 we have matching mat leave dates! I plan to finish on 9th August, at 36 weeks, but I work freelance from home so have said if they want me to (and I feel up to it) I will do 2-3 days a week until 23rd August, at 38 weeks. I will be keeping DD in Nursery 3 days a week for the whole of my mat leave and whilst it's wholly tempting to take those 3 days to sit around and do nothing I am very conscious I could be earning a good day rate instead!

I think mat leave decisions need to be made in a "all things going to plan" sort of mind frame. Impossible to really know how you're going to feel at that stage but that's the plan so far...

[happydays00]

Brilliant, a bold fail for me too...

[Stroan]

@excitednerves glad all is ok. I think lots of cases can be totally normal but always better to get checked out. I bled a few times with DD in the late stages and it's horrible.

I'm hoping to go on mat leave towards the end of July, beginning of August. I have loads of holiday to use and we can't carry it over so need to use it pre-baby or lose it! I'll be having an August baby because I'll have an ELCS sometime before 39 weeks. I don't really want too much time off pre-baby this time as I was bored, but at least a week would be nice. And I found getting to work hard the last time.

I'd like to be off for the full year, money dependant. Would be nice to spend the summer with DD before she starts school in August 2020. I had 15 months off with her (thanks redundancy!) so feel I need to try to have as much as possible with this baby too.

[Karigan195]

Just had the vbac clinic appointment. Very useful indeed. Apparently pool is an option :)

[Megan2018]

Here's a random question for those of you that have done this before. How do you know what size nipple shield you need (should you need them)? Is it trial and error or do I need to get the tape measure out nearer the time. And if so - what bit do you measure?!

This random thought had me awake at 4.30am this morning.......

[BridgetJonesDaiquiri]

@Megan2018 I think I used the medium - only used them for a few weeks at the beginning to give some respite, but yes basically you measure the diameter of your nipple — see helpful guide here www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/article/143/breast-shield-sizing:-how-to-get-the-best-fit

I would wait until she’s here though and see how you get on without. Can always order next day on prime if need be!

[boodles101]

Megan I didn't need nipple shields at all so definitely wait and see before buying. I also didn't need breast pads!

[Megan2018]

I know I might not need them-but I’d like to know ahead what size I am. If I’m in hospital for days with a section then measuring will be tricky if I need them fast.
We do have Amazon prime but rural post means you have to allow 2-3 days instead of next day, and they aren’t sold locally in our tiny supermarkets so we have to be better prepared than most. There’s no popping out to 24/7 shops here either.

[excitednerves]

Thanks everyone! I definitely feel better after getting checked out. Although needed an anti-D injection too which wasn’t fun.

[Moraxella]

Going on leave at 26 weeks as only get smp and plan to go back to work full time in feb (fingers crossed I get a job)

[Stroan]

@megan2018 my hospital provided nipple shields. Otherwise, you could start with medium and take it from there. Your nipples will change anyway!

I don't know many people who needed them and not in the early days.

[Hsunshine]

I’m working until 39 weeks and now starting to think maybe that was a crazy idea

[sugarsprinklesrainbowdrops]

@easterbuns1 thanks. They're generally good so I don't think they'd try to tell me I had to go off early but I feel a bit like I'm taking the pee a bit by saying I'm not starting my time off until 36 weeks if I'm continued to be off sick although it's my only option otherwise I won't have any time off post baby. I had a year off with DD and this time DH wants to take half the time off which I'm fine with but means I need to not start mat leave at 29 weeks!

[easterbuns1]

@sugarsprinklesrainbowdrops I felt the same in my previous pregnancy, was signed off from about 20 weeks with spd right through til I went on maternity leave at 36 weeks. There was absolutely no other option though as I was doing 12 hour shifts on a hospital ward and you can't do that on crutches. Just be aware of your rights in case any issues crop up.

[Dipsy77]

Hi all placemarking