TTC #1 coming off the pill in December - anyone else in the same boat?!

I like biblical too, even though we are not remotely religious. Isaac and Jacob are the only boys names we can vaguely agree on. I like a few others but OH thinks they are pets names or too random

Good idea about the shared parental leave Leonie. It's a good option where both parents earn the same, and gives your OH time with baby too. I think it does cause headaches for some employers trying to figure it all out but that's their problem!

Thanks pink and deborah

Good idea about pinterest for announcements starky. I watched another video on fb of a wife surprising OH with pregnancy announcement -I was nearly in tears on the train to work!! It's all getting very close to home! Can't wait for that to be us! Maybe catching telling the OH on video would be a nice memento too.

We haven't discussed names in detail...I'll want my own way I just know it! I want an Irish name if my kid is going to be raised in the UK -hold onto some of my culture. That's really important to me. I also think the Mum deserves to choose the name, especially with the first, as she does all the hard work! And I know that's very stubborn of me so I've avoided having those conversations cos OH won't be impressed by my attitude! Ah well, we're all only human!!

I love biblical names too leoniethelioness and I'm one of those cruel people who want to name their children slightly odd things! I've been compiling a list for about 12-18 months, I'll look at it every so often and ill delete the names I've gone off and add new ones!

Looks like I've missed a couple of pages! :) Hope you're all well!

I work in a professional services firm. We get a reasonable maternity package after being there for 3 years. A colleague has just returned from maternity leave last month and seems to be managing OK. Most women take around 9 to 12 months off. There are a decent amount of men in charge with daughters and female managers/team leaders, etc. Most women who are having babies seem to be a good 5-10 years older than me and more advanced in their careers so I'm not sure how having one at a junior level will pan out. I suppose time will tell!

Have you thought about what you'd do about maternity leave yet? I don't plan to take too long off work afterwards if all goes smoothly - probably around 4-5 months. DH and I earn very similar amounts and once my firm's enhanced maternity pay runs out (which I think is after around 12 weeks), I'm hoping we can make use of the shared parental leave option. I find it a bit confusing whenever I read up on it but it sounds like it would be a good option for us, as I really love what I do and if we're going to end up taking home the same pay whether I'm at home or he is then we might as well try it so I can try to maintain momentum with my career.

I plan to breastfeed if I can. My mum wasn't able to as doctors advised her against it and I don't think it's done me any harm. It's a very personal thing.

We've had a few chats about names. I really like Biblical names for boys like Gabriel, Tobias, Nathaniel, Isaac, Peter, etc. Pretty much all of them! We're not so sure about girls' names but I'd probably choose something "royal" or Biblical... although I do love some very Mumsnet names like Aurelia.

Fingers crossed for next month Ni!!

Would love to do a really cute announcement on social media but not until I have told immediate family and close friends first. Don't think they would be happy to find out on social media with the rest of the world.

Spreadsheet created and finances show we can afford it!!!! So excited!!!

Let's see if OH is in the mood when he gets in from work!

pink Pinterest is a gold mine for pregnancy announcement ideas. I've not really got anyone to i dont use social media either announce to except family so but i have some ideas for telling them!

Fingers crossed AF gets a move on then Ni and then its out the way and onto the next.

Would love to hear announcement ideas. I've seen a lot on Facebook, my favourite was a friend who already had one DD, announcing a new pregnancy with four pairs of shoes in a row, the fourth pair being a teeny pair of baby walkers, with 'Due in xxx 2015' written underneath.

We'll tell parents before 12 weeks, mostly because I wouldn't be able to contain myself - patience is not one of my virtues! I love reading announcements on social media but not sure whether we'll do one or just let people see as tummy grows!

I just took a test pink. It's definitely no! So just waiting for my system to catch up this month I guess! Hope it hurries the fk up so we can get on with month 2 ttc!

I have a cute idea for announcement Xmas day if we manage to conceive before then! no pressure

Haven't really looked at financial details. I get a good maternity package, then will probably work p/t cos there's no family nearby to help with childcare and despite me being uber qualified, OH earns more. Go figure! That's public service vs private sector for you!

Starky - sorry to hear about your photos, thats such a shame but at least you have such wonderful memories of the day itself. Hope you have pinned down OH by now, even though its not your fertile week - it can't do any harm!

It sounds like most people's OH's are sensible with money. Mine certainly is. There are spreadsheets galore! We've done sums to work out that we can live on his salary when I drop down to zero pay, and we've worked out roughly how much baby stuff will cost in terms of pram etc. Its likely both set of parents will buy the expensive bits as gifts - pram and furniture. Also have a few cast offs from my sister which is handy.

Ni - any signs of AF? Hope not!!

Hey everyone! Looks like I've missed a lot. How is everyone xx

Amazing news Deborah !! Get excel out and get going! Do a power point!! Nobody can say no to a power point!

shelb after a week month of crying and sulking I realised in the grand scheme of things, its just a blip, my Dsis took one lovely photo which we only recently found so that was a pleasant surprise!

Thanks Harriett good to know I'm not alone!

I just wish I was a bit more like dh sometimes. Just going with flow! I always admire people who conceive and then say we just figured if it happened, it happened, if not we're enjoying just being together. I'd like to say that - I'll definitely b frantic when it comes to conceiving!

Hi all. I didn't check this thread yesterday and so many messages!

I am SO relieved other people are as crazy as me - secret I know just what you mean about ovaries aching! I've also already thought about breastfeeding (would really like to try for convenience reasons), slings (definitely going to try use one instead of pram) and cloth nappies (will see how it goes but might go for it)!
We've also discussed names and annoyingly my OH has ruled out my top choices because he knows people with those names (he doesn't even dislike the people...argh!)

With finances, we'll be fine when (if!) I'm on mat leave cos I have a great maternity package. Problem will be when I go back to work - no family near and nursery will be £1000 per month!

Fantastic news . . . OH has agreed to start trying when I can show him our finances can take it!!!! Got some marking to do tonight then I am creating my spreadsheet!!!!

Ha-ha I shall jump him later its not my fertile week till next week but you never know!

There's no comeback sadly bunch it was a family friend so it was our "wedding gift" I'd rather have had a voucher or a kettle I'd seen photos they'd taken before from weddings and events and they seemed OK, I was positive but worried, it went tits up! One of those things I suppose! Needless to say they won't be doing the eventual christening pictures!!

Wow a starky don't ask just get on him!!

You are certainly not being precious but I would be seriously considering legal action. That's unforgivable. Is there anywhere you cans publically leave feedback about them?!

I'm a gumtree checker too. Just waiting for the day I can start snapping up the bargains I see.

starky I can see why you're annoyed. How frustrating but no one can take away the memories of your special day. Taking some shots next summer sounds great - but fingers are crossed that it may not happen

*bunch" basically our photographer made a massive boo-boo and didn't take any! Well, no, that's not strictly true, I've got 400 pics of the food, 400 of the three children that were there, 500 of the guests eating/drinking/dancing and about 100 of the back of my head/side chin/taken in a bad light/wrong angle etc. So out of all of them, there aren't any I could cobble an album together out of, only have a handful of bad ones with both me and DH in (none of them are any good) and the "staged" ones of family, everybody's squintie because of the sun. None with my dress nicely arranged or with my veil on. I cried for a week! Plus, my hairdresser and make up girl didn't listen so my face was a shambles! It was an amazing day though! We're going to wait till its a nice day next year and maybe have another go of photos provided I'm not pregnant! I couldn't face it again so soon after the wedding. And then I didn't want people thinking I was being precious!

Bloody hell "shelb* that's a bit arseholey of them! I keep my eyes open for bargains out of charity shops. Ikea do a really good range of cheap and cheerful for baby and I've heard really good things about the high chairs from there. Plus the cots can be changed into baby beds so they last till baby is into a proper bed at 2-3. Other than babygrows I'm going to make a lot of the clothes, my Dsis is good on the sewing machine and I can do simple patterns. Reusable nappies etc. Sling rather than pram (although that may change!) And I keep checking Gumtree for baby stuff too! It will be my DPs first DGC and I think they're already quietly quite excited about the idea they've chosen what they want to be called!

DH and I were talking about babies last night and he goes " oh well why not, let's have a go.." I was like, really?! But then he went to work! He's off tonight so I shall ask again

Thank you!

Tbh I plan everything, worry about every last detail and forget to just 'live' every now and again. My dh keeps saying to me not to think too much about the logistics of a baby, finances etc. That there never is a right time to have a baby and if it happens, we'll deal with it. I don't know whether I'll be able to keep to the promise not to plan though :-/

Wow Shelb supportive much? Tell 'em to jog on.

I've worked out I need £500 to kit the baby out and that's it. I've fobbed off f
DH with "feeding will be free" but that's only if breastfeeding works. Then planning to do BLW (baby led weaning) off our plates so still free. So I've budgeted nada. DH wants kitchen paid off before I stop working, easy now I have this contract phew. And I need enough to cover me not working saved up. So I very well may be working up to due date if I'm upduffed now.

I know my parents will help us out massively too. They will be free childcare and in almost certain they'll be paying for something big. I.e pram but we're not getting one, so crib or car seat I guess.

My parents are desperate for grandkids as I'm an OC and they're the only one son both sides of their families not to have GC. I so want to tell them were TTC as it will make their year but I plan to capture the moment on camera so I will wait to announce after first check up so 8 weeksish? I knew you're supposed to wait until 12 weeks but I will be bursting to tell and they will be sworn to secrecy.

Anyone else planned how they'll tell Parents or when?
Must remember I need to be pregnant first

Hi everyone

So good to have you all here as its lovely being in the same boat - I'm almost scared to say to friends, as they'll be expectant of an announcement soon and I just don't want that pressure.

bunch I'm self employed so I know that is definitely something I'm worrying about with getting pregnant and working, and earning, and not having a regular income!

pinklily we organised ours in less than a year, and it was abroad! It was just stunning and a great excuse for a holiday. I had a wedding planner out there but it was all very straightforward. Ours was a simple wedding, so I dont know what it would be like if you wanted something more intricate! I just wanted to have a good time. Xxx

Starky what happened with your wedding photos that you only got 2? That must be devastating. I'd defiantly put your dress on again and DH to get dressed and get a photos shoot.

I know what you mean secret I was pretty down about it too but then DH got another job which meant we had to move and me go self employed so that took my mind up.

I had 16 months to plan my wedding Pink. Of that I probably spent a full 6 months planning. It's good to space it out. though I did plan and book my entire honeymoon in 12 hours (5 nights NYC and 2 week California road trip). That was a long stressful expensive day!!