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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed RE healthy pregnancy grant

263 replies

RedRedWine1980 · 18/05/2010 13:10

Especially as someone on facebook has mentioned going to Zara to spend it....is this just another ridiculous waste of public funds or what?

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 18/05/2010 13:11

tell us more.....i never had one so dont know anything about it!!

moomaa · 18/05/2010 13:11

Of course you are not being unreasonable. I love the leaflet with pictures of all the things you could spend the money on. Most of them aren't fruit/veg/milk, which I thought was the point of it.

twolittlemonkeys · 18/05/2010 13:13

No YANBU, another gimmick. I just found out about it.

NestaFiesta · 18/05/2010 13:14

I think its stupid. if it really is for Healthy pregnancies then they should give it out in fruit and veg vouchers. I think I used mine as normal household spending money you know, bleach, cat litter, bread etc.

Tidey · 18/05/2010 13:15

Is that a separate thing to the Sure Start Maternity grant of £500? When was this brought in? And no, YANBU, if people are boasting about wasting it.

porcamiseria · 18/05/2010 13:16

everyone thinks its stupid, but I am still going to take it!

Sassybeast · 18/05/2010 13:16

YABU - it's so that you can get the latest designer pram yunno

Actually YANBU.

LaTrucha · 18/05/2010 13:18

I think it's one of those things that was a good idea but then got so watered down in the implementation that it became useless for it's intended purpose.

I'm pg ATM and everyone I know who is is putting it towards a baby item. I put it in our general food kitty which helps us as it is tight, but all the same not it's purpose.

I agree vouchers might have been better but perhaps more expensive in administration?

Anyway, I don't think it will survive.

Thediaryofanobody · 18/05/2010 13:18

Zara sell baby clothes....

SirBoobAlot · 18/05/2010 13:18

Wouldn't worry about it too much, imagine it'll be axed next week...

Sassybeast · 18/05/2010 13:20

Thediaryofanobody - so baby clothes from Zara ensure a 'healthy' pregnancy ? Or am I naive in my assumption that a grant aimed at promoting 'health' in pregnancy should be used for 'healthy' things, rather than over priced baby clothes ?

GypsyMoth · 18/05/2010 13:22

how much is it???

withorwithoutyou · 18/05/2010 13:22

I've put mine aside to pay for a private room in the hospital after I give birth.

Keeping me away from other people's snoring and screaming babies will keep me mentally healthy

callmeDave · 18/05/2010 13:22

"The money is to help you with your wider costs in the run up to your baby?s birth."

I will be amazed if this still exists after monday

Original poster
RedRedWine1980 · 18/05/2010 13:23

Exactly Sassy- and if you dont need it apart from spending on clothes (baby or otherwise) you shouldnt be eligible for free money to keep yourself healthy. Joke, really it is.

OP posts:
Chulita · 18/05/2010 13:23

I've spent it on nursing tops/moses basket, don't know anyone on our ante-natal thread who spent it on 'healthy' stuff during pregnancy. I reckon it was introduced by an outgoing government so the next one would have to axe it [conspiracy theory emoticon] Wish it'd been around for my last pregnancy though, much as I think it's a waste of money, not going to say no!

Pootles2010 · 18/05/2010 13:24

Its £190. Agree its a waste of money, still will claim it though .

Think something like free swimming + gym/exercise classes for preg ladies would be much better.

thesecondcoming · 18/05/2010 13:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chulita · 18/05/2010 13:25

withorwithoutyou I wish I'd thought of that!

porcamiseria · 18/05/2010 13:25

withor, good idea! I might nick that

whats worse that childbirth? The HELL of the ante natal ward

Original poster
RedRedWine1980 · 18/05/2010 13:25

I just hope the 'oh well if its going i'll happily have it' brigade aren't the sort who moan about the national debt we have/lack of prisons/poscode lottery in the NHS type issues

OP posts:
Pennies · 18/05/2010 13:25

Never heard of this. how much is it?

Original poster
RedRedWine1980 · 18/05/2010 13:29

I think the surestart one is an epic waste of funds, but I can see that rationale behind it being given to those who may struggle otherwise to give their baby the best start in life- but £190 for every pregnant woman to do what any responsible person should be doing anyway is just gross misuse of public funds. IMO of course

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 18/05/2010 13:29

Yeah, breast pump, nursing tops, that surely benefits the health of the baby.

Free swimming, Pootles, what a great idea Swimming is a great exercise during pregnancy because it's so gentle, and if you get used to swimming every week or so you're probably more likely to take your baby swimming when they are born which is likely to increase their confidence in water when they're older.

In fact I might take DS swimming today now you have mentioned it

whiffleisCleggxhausted · 18/05/2010 13:30

Actually I think it's £500 if you're on benefits and £250 otherwise. WHat a bloody waste of public funds! Every single pregnant woman gets it from Simon Cowell's wife to Samcam

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