Anyone planned pregnancy for specific month?

[Stella29]

Hi all,
Has anyone planned and been successful in planning a pregnancy for a specific month? I will be over the moon regardless if it works out at that time or not. Financially we would be a significantly better off during my maternity leave if we could time it this July or August as my bonus would be included in my average weekly earnings. Has anyone managed to plan ahead and be successful?

Mrs B x

[icklekid]

Nope took over 6 months to conceive -at which point I was just grateful to be pregnant!

[WorryWurta]

Nope, took us 3 years so couldn't even plan the year lol, wish you more luck!

[Stella29]

I am not getting my hopes up!! Have been on the pill for 10 years but I did stop last September so will have been off for 10 months before trying - hoping this helps a bit!!

[yummymango]

No - I wanted a summer baby this time but took a few months, I am now 9 weeks and due in September so unless you are already pregnant you have missed the boat for July or August unfortunately.

[Guyropes]

No! Not personally, But from some of the comments on here, people tend to prefer a September baby for educational reasons.

[Stella29]

Fantastic news - congrats, Sept is almost summer!! We want to conceive in July or August

[pyrowall]

Yep, to a degree - planned for TTC for birth over a couple of months e.g. Sept/Oct last time, Apr/May this time and it worked out.

Was lucky I suppose!

[BananaToast]

Yes, sort of. I'd always thought April would be an ideal time to have a baby for various reasons. We were starting to discuss when to TTC and I said I would ideally start immediately as if by a miracle it happened the first month I would be due in April, and if it took longer then I'd rather start the process sooner than leave it and regret having waited. DH agreed to go for it and a few weeks later I got a BFP. Shock doesn't even come close - I'd expected it to take up to a year!

[NickyEds]

Not exactly, we more planned when we'd rather not have number two. Ds was born a couple of days before Christmas so when we started ttc number two we agreed that we'd have March/April time next year off (mainly due to the stress and expense!). Fortunately it all happened rather quickly and I'm due in July. We really didn't mind that ds was due at Christmas but apparently having a Winter baby isn't as popular.

[yummymango]

Sorry Stella! I thought you meant give birth in July or August! The problem is my daughter is September too and if I had a choice I would have avoided their birthdays in the same month due to financial reasons. Oh well!

[Skeppers]

Yep. I'd totally tried to avoid having an August baby because of all the things I'd read about August babies having an educational disadvantage.

When is our baby due? 12th August. SOTHATWORKEDWELLTHEN.

[blowinahoolie]

No. It's not really something you can plan, it happens when it happens. I've got an April baby, and a July baby (coincidentally the April one is at an advantage because he's one of the eldest in his class at school).

Didn't plan it that way , it just so happens I fell pregnant at that time.

DC3, all going well, will be born August/September. No ideal, but not much you can do about it.

[Annbag]

Even if you plan your due date the baby might not come then, mine was premature and even if not normal range is 37-42 weeks. By accidental preemie arrival DS will probably be the oldest in his year, but could easily have been premature and the youngest.

With your qualifying weeks as long as you're earning a certain amount it shouldn't make a massive difference how much. The 90% pay is for 6 weeks I think? After that it's a set amount if you earn more than 138 per week. Might want to check the exact figures as my memory is rubbish

[Showy]

After 14 months of trying and a couple of losses, I didn't care. DD was born in May. We decided to ttc for number 2 but waited 2 months to avoid having a July/August baby. I conceived the first night of trying and DS was born on September 3rd.

[LIG1979]

We aimed for 2 September babies. 1st came end of July (due date mid august). My 2nd is due mid - April. So didn't do a good job with aiming for September babies. But after 2 mcs and a pcos diagnosis, I am truly greatful for my dd and hoping that my ds arrives safely at some point in April.

[PrincessOfChina]

I know several teachers who have timed it so they get the summer holidays paid after being on Mat leave - so returned to work the day before the holidays.

I also know a few people at work who have July babies and their bonus (paid April) was included in their maternity calculations.

[Stella29]

Thanks all. I'm an August bday and academically I was in the top set of all classes so we aren't that bad ??

My bonus is 100% if my salary so will make a huge difference if included in my average weekly earnings!

[babyblabber]

Yes and it worked once, didn't the next time. For work it's better for me to have babies in July/August so giving myself a window we tried and DD was born mid-June which worked out great.

Wanted the same for number 3 but my sister was getting married abroad in June so had to aim for an August/September baby and to my delight we got lucky again and were expecting a September baby but unfortunately I had a miscarraige. Baby no.3 arriving via section tomorrow. Not great work wise but I don't care!

[Cornberry]

Yes, I wanted a September baby as it would be best for work and succeeded first try :) was a bit shocked actually.

[Annbag]

Good luck op! Wow, that will make a big difference then

It took us 4 months the first time. I wasn't too bothered about the August thing as DH is august and doesn't care! I did want to avoid Christmas though as my mum always moans about her Christmas birthday, but a baby is amazing whenever they turn up

If trying for a certain date try not to be too, ahem, scary about it! DH felt a bit under pressure with the 'best days' to do it!!

[Skeppers]

Stella29 It's OK- I know that, despite the scaremongering articles and 'studies', the whole 'August baby' thing is probably a large proportion nonsense; there are a whole range of other variables which could have an impact. It's quite possible to have an April baby (for example) who is- ahem- not academically brilliant...ie. my brother, bless him. He's not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Whereas my mum was an August baby- and an only child, God forbid!! - and did very well at school.

Plus my sister is deputy head at a primary school so they'll have plenty of chances to 'get ahead' of the curriculum (whether they like it or not)!

[Annbag]

I think the August thing must be a teeny tiny difference, and things like reading to your child, interacting with them, keeping them healthy and fed will have a much bigger difference! From what I've read most of the difference seems to be in sports where they used to pick the biggest kids. I always hated playing sports at school so didn't care

[Stella29]

Completely agree the Augudt timing discussion has limited credability.
I will make sure not to make hubby feel too pressurised! As I have six months to plan this do you have any tips? I'm 27 and pretty healthy - exercise three times weekly but do like my wine! Did anyone cut back?

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

Honestly, all you can do is have a lot of sex in those months. Other than that, it's in the lap of the gods.

In terms of the bonus, presumably it'll only make a difference to the 6 weeks of pay that are at 90% of salary? Most enhanced maternity schemes that companies run are specifically based on basic salary, to avoid this happening. So yes, double pay for 6 weeks, but not that different in the scheme of things?

[Lauramum23]

I didn't want an august baby only for the simple reason I didn't want to send my last child to school age just 4! I'd be too sad! So I've managed an end of September baby, a spring baby is also lovely tho and they are 4 and a half at school start so middle of the road.