December 2010: Our Christmas Babies are growing but our energy levels are slowing!

[WhatWillSantaBring]

With thanks to the provider of the snappy title (it wasn't me - I think it was Strix)

Link to Stats thread (I hope)

Here

slightlytired Im hoping to be christmas shopped out AND wrapped before my Due date (1st december) , possibly even offloading the presents for other people to their houses as soon as their trees go up so I have more room... my friends think Im bonkers but shopping is one thing I can do on maternity leave

lauren i am mostly done on christmas shopping or making. Been crocheting like a ninja anytime anywhere and have mittens hats and scarves for all (and maybe more) I hate crowds so shopping in December is a no no for me.

miffster DH read up about it, he's happy to help, bless him, it was in one of the million pregnancy books we have. I also have raspberry leaf tea, i must admit to having lots of flavoured teas anyhow and an orbital diffuser.

I also have had no BH at all. Off to the physio in an hour. My SPD pain has changed and so sore, been doing my exercises but they don't touch it. lee69 its nasty isn't it. I've been off 5 weeks from work and must say it's really helped, i would be a mess now if i wasn't. I'm going back to work at the end of this week for two days for a handover and then i've saved up lots of annual leave to cover me until LO is due.

slightlytired - I'm getting there on my Christmas shopping. Tried to pick up a few bits earlier on as and when I saw something and have done a lot more online recently. Feels a bit mad doing it this early but I'm already struggling with shopping and I can't imagine I'll want to brave the crowds with a newborn!

I've got a few bits for friends and friends kids that are visiting us in November so can have their gifts then, and family are all visiting us right after Christmas so will get their gifts then.

My Mum, DH, me and 1 friend also have our birthdays over Christmas so its a bit mad.

I've bought Christmas cards and was going to try and get organised to do printed address labels for them, so that DH knows who to send them to if I can't do it! Was thinking that if we order some photo postcards as birth announcements online and slip one in each Christmas card, they'll do for both.

OMG I just had a chat with my boss about my annual review, which should take place early next year. His plan is to fly over (he's based in Europe) and meet me face to face for a couple of hours to talk about everything I did in 2010. In late December or early January. With a newborn. To talk about things I will neither remember nor care about. AIBU or is that just crazy? The office is an hour from me and I will definitely have to breastfeed at some point - I am NOT doing that in front of my boss or anyone else I work with!!

He is BU I think, but check to see if your maternity policy is the same as mine...

'Keeping in Touch days

During maternity leave it is perfectly reasonable and very helpful for both the absent employee and manager to keep in touch with what is happening at work. In order to facilitate this employees can agree to work for the Company (or to attend training) for up to ten days during the maternity leave period (except during the first two weeks after childbirth), without it bringing maternity leave to an end or losing a week?s SMP. These are known as ?keeping in touch? days. Any work carried out on a day shall constitute a whole day for leave purposes.

During the maternity leave period the Company has no right to require an employee to carry out any work and the employee has no right to undertake any. Any work undertaken, including the amount of salary paid for any work done on keeping in touch days is entirely a matter of agreement between the Company and the employee. If keeping in touch days are worked during a period of unpaid leave or SMP or MA only, then it is company policy that a day (or half day depending on the length of time worked) will be paid at the individuals normal basic rate of pay (less the amount of SMP/MA being received).

Keeping in touch days do not extend the period of maternity leave. Once all ten keeping in touch days have been used, the employee will lose a week?s SMP for any subsequent week in which she agrees to work for the Company, however in this instance the Company will compensate and still give a whole/half day?s pay (depending on time worked).'

Keeping in touch days do not extend the period of maternity leave. Once all ten keeping in touch days have been used, the employee will lose a week?s SMP for any subsequent week in which she agrees to work for the Company, however in this instance the Company will compensate and still give a whole/half day?s pay (depending on time worked).

See also...

? The DTI Parental Leave enquiry line: 020 7215 6207 / website: www.dti.gov.uk/er/erbill.htm
? Maternity Alliance advice line ? provides information and advice on all aspects of maternity and parental rights and benefits: 020 7588 8582.
? Working Families? Tax Credit helpline ? 0845 609 5000
? Parentline ? a confidential freephone helpline run by Parentline Plus ? providing support to families: 0808 800 2222.
? For advice on claiming social security benefits you should contact your nearest social security office. The website is: www.dss.gov.uk/ba

Wow, thanks Miffster. I will check our policy. I have no problem meeting with him on the phone, and indeed met with my last manager on the phone during my last period of mat leave - but I remember what it was like in those first 8 weeks and I just doubt I will manage a face to face meeting like the one that is being proposed. I think I am more shocked than anything that he could think that a 2 hour round trip plus a 2 hour meeting, with a newborn, is at all reasonable. I know it is a long time since his kids were babies, but still...

Sigh - I suppose I will have to write a list of everything I did in 2010 now, before it flies out of my poor sleep deprived brain.

It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't all so damn pointless. In my company you get a promo/pay rise if it is your turn - your actual performance seems to have little or no bearing on the matter.

That was a C&P from my work mat policy. However,
I just checked at babycentre where they have a good summary, and it seems to be a standard thing about the keeping in touch 10 days, but it must be 'reasonable' and 'agreed' and as far as I can tell, absolutely NIOT happen in the first 2 weeks post-partum. I think you would be perfectly able to say that you don't agree to what he is suggesting, because it is not reasonable with a newborn that you are BF, and that he does the review before you leave, or at a later date by mutual conset.

Relevant bit at babycentre.

'During maternity leave
Your employer may make contact with you (and vice versa) while you're on maternity leave, as long as the amount and type of contact is not unreasonable, to discuss a range of issues ? for example, to discuss your plans for returning to work, or to keep you informed of important developments at your workplace. You should also be kept informed of any relevant promotion opportunities or job vacancies that arise during your maternity leave.

You can work for up to 10 days during your maternity leave, under your contract of employment, as long as both you and your employer agree on what work is to be done and how much you will be paid for it.'

I'd try and get it done before you leave, when are you finishing?

I'm finishing on the 11th November. I suggested that I write the self assessment before then but apparently they are "streamlining" the process and so he doesn't know exactly what process we will be following at this stage.

Thanks for all the info. It seems pretty clear that we will need to agree it.

Roll on 11th November.

Kelle My last baby was 8lb 2 so I'm expecting more than that at least, hoping not too big though!

Slightly I've still got the nightdresses I have birth in and plan on using again! I just bought stretchy, long, slightly larger sized night dresses. I've got all the kids' christmas presents sorted now, just need a few stocking fillers; hawkins bazaare are really good for little bits and pieces. I love Christmas so much, really hoping she doesn't arrive on Christmas day though as I want to make sure the kids have a great one. Been getting a few things for family too, I have a list of things to get for DH (nearly typed dp then!) so I know what to get at least.

miffster I never knew perieal massage was done like that! I've never done it and never torn yet, I'm praying that I won't this time too. I really don't fancy the thought of doing the massage though.

lee welcome, I'm due the 23rd. I have a growth scan booked for 36 weeks, not long now.

DF I have some of that tea too, it's horrible (I remember from last time) but with honey not so bad. I'm with you on GF, can't stand it. I'm very AP so totally nothing like GF.

japhrimel how did your itching start? Past few nights/days I've been increasingly itchy but not so much hands or feet, more arms, back, legs etc. Was hoping it's just normal stuff/dry skin etc.

crazy I'm still looking for a washbag, I have all the things I need to put in it but can't find anywhere selling empty ones, just full ones...I need to get a nice outfit for bringing her home in still as well. I have loads of birthdays coming up too, my mum's tomorrow, ds1 is 7 on Friday, mine on Nov 6th, DH's mum in early Dec, then this baby I hope, ds2 is Jan 11th, DH is Jan 17th, DD is end of Feb and my dad's is early March!

I think baby is transverse, finding it really hard to breathe today. Quite tired as I was up with ds2 3.30am, poor thing was coughing constantly until 5am when he finally managed to settle back to sleep. Miserable weather here today, rain and cloud. Hoping that we get to the local farm on Thursday for some Halloween fun, carving pumkins and games etc sounds really fun. Reminds me I need to order the turkey from there as well but still waiting on DH's family to confirm if they can make it or not..they always do this, everything left until the last minute or don't bother replying at all; that's his brother though mainly. Makes me so angry as you can't bloody plan things properly. Even the wedding he did the same thing, I think we found out days before that he could grace us with his presence...made ordering the flowers etc difficult. And breathe :o

SlightlyTired that sounds crazy. If you are expected to do it then definitely have it as a keeping in touch day and get paid!

Just been to the midwife. Told her about my swollen foot. It started to hurt a bit on the top of my right foot on Friday but the pain hasn't gone to my calves so she said to just keep an eye on it and keep it elevated if I can.

Baby is head down but still free. Here's hoping it stays that way.

I started packing a hospital bag - one for me, one for the baby. Need to finish that I guess, though am only 33 weeks so hopefully won't be needing it for a while. NCT classes start next week and I have gone from dreading them to quite looking forward to it :)

slightlytired* pzziz this link will take you to the main webiste of pzziz where it explains about how the system works, I use the daytime energizer programme as part of my treatment programme for my pain control, it does work for me and the daytime programme can be set for any time period form 10-90 minutes so yes once LO is in a routine and you know how long they are likely to nap for then you could use it quite effectively. You do have to get past the psychological barrier of the voice and plinky plonky music, I doubted it at first but now think it has been a huge lifesaver as it has meant I have massively reduced my pain killer usage to a bare minimum. the hand held system is expensive which is why I said ipod or iphone as it is about £5 on itunes.

Busy thread today - will try and catch up!

Christmas shopping - aargh don't add someting else to my list of things to do!! I am not even thinking about it until we have moved into the new house. I have some Xmas cards I bought from a friend who does phoenix cards and I need to think about my DB and his wife as they live in Canada so I have to post their presents about 3 weeks ago . I am going to tell PIL and DH family that if they haven't got their lists to me by 15 Nov they won't get anything they always take ages to think of things! DD has decided already and DH had a "new" old Landrover recently which covers birthday (2 Nov) and Xmas for him although will get him a little something extra. DM has already said what she wants. I plan to do it all online either November or early Dec. As for food shopping again - this year will be online shopping for most bits. We will be having Xmas at home on our own with the children, DM in Canada at my DB (thankfully!) from 20th, in laws I have no idea on their plans but they won't be at ours for more than a couple of days between Xmas and NYE.

slightlytired definately use it as one of your keeping in touch days, I plan to use mine sparingly although I am sneaking a project home with me, I have agreement from the senior manager running it and he would prefer me to keep it as well. A bit naughty but if I let someone else take it I will have to redo it all on my return. It will take at the most an hour a week so not really bothered.

Do you think I should pack an emergency hospital bag for the next couple of days over the house move? I am packing an overnight bag anyway and if I get rushed in can use that but should I put baby stuff in as well? I mean if I go in now anything I have would be too big for LO and we would have to buy new anyway. Is it tempting fate not to have anything ready? We do not leave here until Thursday pm and will be at new house Friday am - do I risk it? We know loads of people here so if the movers had packed all baby stuff there are loads of recent new mums here who would have stuff we could borrow overnight/ for a couple of days.

pffft hello all, sorry havent been around much - cant beleive now 35 weeks

I washed the new born clothes at the weekend, and today packed me and LO a bag for emergency hospital - have been sensible and put new tooth brush tooth paste phone charger and deoderant for me.

All I need for LO is sleep suits, hat, few nappies yea?

Ive also packed a snuggley cardy and vest, a dummy

When I had DD i had a steriliser all set up on work top before I went into labour, this time havent bothered getting one, as going to make a real bloody effort grit my teeth to exclusively breast feed - so a dummy? Do you bother sterilising it??

Moses basket all washed, not put together though, car seat ready, isofix base arrived today, think we are all there just waiting to pop now.

IS any one else fed up of being pregnant now???? Im HUGE!!

MrsS I'd be tempted to pack a few bits but as you say, baby clothes wouldn't be worth it as they'd be too big. Easy to pick something up :) Hopefully you won't need to!

OWO 35 weeks! Blanket for baby too I'd say and maybe some cotton wool for nappy changes. I've never used dummies with mine but would sterilise at first I think. I feel huge too and fed up not being able to breathe. So uncomfy all the time as well. Maybe some little mittens thinking about it if the weather is cold too.

ive put a snow suit and a blanket in the car seat - dont want to have a huge bag!!

CheeseandGherkins - my itching started in my hands and feet and then spread all over. Itching that is worse at night is typical of OC.

Just got back from a knackering afternoon in Reading - had an antenatal apt about the OC and then went into town to do some Christmas shopping while DH was at work.

My Bile Acid levels are still rising, but so far my Liver Function tests are fine. I'm to have weekly blood tests of both, and also to check my blood clotting and then see the clinic again in 2 weeks. If my clotting gets affected, I'll have to start vitamin K as well (may get put on it anyway). And if my BA levels continue to rise despite the meds, we'll be talking about early induction. Have to say that the hospital are being amazing - but got a printout of their guideline/info today and if I hadn't insisted the GP check my BA levels, I still wouldn't be diagnosed - it isn't in the guideline to check them until LFTs go positive or you get symptoms of jaundice as well as itching that's worse at night. Very scary given that the BA levels are the best test!

If any of you are itching, definitely push for those tests!

Baby is head down most of the time now. Having a possible induction date of 1 Dec (38 weeks) at the latest is certainly concentrating my mind on the need to work on positioning and start perineal massage now. Baby in 5 weeks! Eeek!

MrsSnaplegs - I wouldn't worry about packing baby stuff now. If you did go into labour this early, chances are that LO would be in NICU for a few days at least and would need tiny baby nappies and clothes anyway.

OnlyWantsOne - cotton wool balls/pads and a blanket would also be my suggestions of what to add.

Hot soapy wash and air-dry is fine for bits for expressed milk, so I'd do that for dummies too.

I'm planning on packing 3 bags before D-Day - 1 emergency/overnight/labour bag for me (nearly done), 1 bag with 24 hours stuff for LO and 1 bag with stuff I'll want if I'm staying in after the birth (e.g. pillow, more breast/maternity pads). Realised that after last week, I want that first/emergency bag with me if I go anywhere, so will be taking it to my brother's engagement party this weekend, lol. Just in case.

eeee owo how scary is it only having 5 weeks left! Im starting to pack my bag tomorrow, I keep putting it off but after Sunday think I need one, havent got a clue what to pack though as its my first, going to keep my eye out for good ideas on here :)

I am planning a home birth but I think I need to pack emergency bags for me and Tiny soon. As I'm now 33 weeks and in my estimation, 34+1. Just in case I have to go to hospital and he comes early (I was born at 36 weeks). Or if I have to transfer.

(Although I worry that packing a bag is like a vote of no confidence in my HB. Please tell me I am being silly).

So...here are my thoughts as to what to put in. if anyone wants to suggest things to add/remove then that'd be fab...

Me
10 x maternity towels - do I need more?
3 x giant black pants
1 x nursing bra - I need to buy a bigger one but too early at 33/34 weeks, yes?
Crop top soft bra
Revolting sleeveless nightie to labour in & then bin
Button top nightie for after
2 x fluffy socks (because people say your feet get cold in labour)
1 x large fleece throw (doubles as blanket, poncho/wrap, pillow
Pair of sandals
Deodorant
Dry shampoo
Hairbrush
Bobbles & Hair band
Face flannel(s)
Jelly babies & liquorice pieces
Waterbottle
Sample size sachets of moisturiser, shampoo, showergel etc & those little bottles you nick from hotels
Toothbrush & paste
Mints
Leggings
T shirt
Old flannel check shirt of DH's
Hoodie
Book/mag
Lansinoh
Pashmina
Camera (need to charge it and get a new memory card)

Tiny
Packet of NB nappies
Handful of vests
3 babygros
Hat
Cardie
Couple of cellular blankets

Does that look about right to you?

you will go in to hospital prob wearing what ever you were in at home, when I had DD, that was a massive T shirt and a pair of tracky bottoms

I delivered naked,

take a couple of vest tops - its bloody warm on post natal wards

pads lots of pads

cheap chuck-away knickers

a toothbrush

deodrant

hair bands

if you have the forsight, chuck ur make up in your bag when you go to hospital

some comfy loose clothes to wear in hospital and to go home in,

thats about it, maybe a phone charger, a magazine, there can be lots of waiting around

oooo camara!!

Miffster Im planning a HB too, and have packed a very basic bag, but it also means that when you are home post delivery, the MW can find things for you, whilst you bath etc and your DP gets to snuggle the tiny ickle one :)

You dont want her routing through your naughty neglected knicker drawer to find some thing suitable do you!!??

i like "this www.bumpbuddies.co.uk/downloads/Hospital_Bag_List.pdf"

think its quite handy :-)