April 2013.....we're halfway there! (Part 5)

[bunnygirl80]

Our newest home!

Old thread here

Stats thread here

Oli physio gave me it today, the girdle is essentially really thick tubi grip which goes around my middle but the best bit is the support belt which is absolutely like being held together!

somewherebecomingrain you don't get SMP if you're a full-time student & not employed (I think jaqueline may be a full time student, but I'm not sure?)

I'm an intermitting student. I'll get child benefit and child tax credits but that's it. As I'm intermitting (taking time out) I don't get a student loan this year, but as I'm still officially a student, I'm not eligible for anything else AFAIK. DP is also a student. Until he gets a job (hopefully in June/July!) we'll be living off his student loan and fresh air! I'm doing some freelance work right now, but the money will be long gone by April I imagine, and it's a drop in the ocean, not enough to be worth claiming SMP.

I haven't been as skint for years! Ah, it'll be fine (somehow!) Our outgoings are pretty low thankfully.

Does everyone know about mortgage holidays btw?

If you have a mortgage and you're worrying about how to manage while on maternity, it's worth asking your mortgage provider if they do mortgage holidays for maternity.

Ours did last time (Halifax). We took the maximum 6 months, it made everything so much easier! It made the difference between me having to go back to work at 6 months and a year.

Ollibobs I am not sure of the exact figure but as a teacher, I will be paid a daily rate for KIT days I work based on my annual salary. For some reason I have about £100 stuck in my head. Maybe that's just wishful thinking!

olli where I work ur kit days jst get offset against ur mat pay I think, don't think u get any extra? Will chk in work 2moro tho!

Olli my maternity handbook says we get paid for our KIT days and it doesn't change/stop the SMP

Can you check your contract or do you have a maternity handbook?

Hi all - I like the sound of the girdle essex although I already have a back brace that holds a lot of me in and your girdle sounds pretty similar. I am finding I am doing a lot of teaching from my desk which is rather different for me. Then I notice and I get up and walk around the room a bit but then sort of gravitate back to my desk!
However, after a whole afternoon of PE today, I was ready to finish as soon as the bell went at the end of the day (and my MW runs her clinics on Monday afternoons so that gets me out of a staff meeting each month )

I have protein in my urine today, apparently, but am already booked in for a GTT next week due to my age - just hope everything is okay as I don't fancy having to inject myself if I have gestational diabetes on top of everything else.

My MW agreed to 'suggest' I find some aquanatal classes too as that might be helpful for my hips. I just have to find some that are running...

Some lovely names on the thread by the way. We might have decided on Celestine for the first name but that might be more because it is about the only name (with Celeste) that we both like. We don't know if this bump is a pink or a blue one and have no ideas on boys names at all.

Evening ladies how are we all?

Thank you for all the suggestions and comments about my maternity leave situation.

I am currently in the first year of my two year MA in Social Work and I recieve an NHS bursary for both years. In order to gain the professional qualification needed to practice I must complete a minimum amount of days in placement in the first year and then another load in the second year.

I am allowed to defer for a year if I want to but I would have to complete the whole first year again.

My tutor has been lovely about it all and has suggested I take 3 months off and then catch up the full three months over the summer whilst everyone else is off and then go straight into my final year placement at the same time as everyone else.

My dissertation which should be written over the summer break would then have to be done at the end of my second year so I would graduate a month or so after everyone else.

I don't really want to take 3 months off and then work through the summer and straight into my second placement as this will mean working from June to Christmas with no break.

If I take just 2 weeks off I will be able to finish in June and then have July and August off before my next placement starts in September!

Phew...It is a bit of a mess and quite confusing! I have a meeting booked in on Wednesday with a student advisor who is a specialist on the social work courses so she should be able to advise me as to what is and isn't possible.

I shall update once I know what my options are and we can all help me decide what to do

25+4

Hello all, can I join too? Just found this thread!

I'm due on 30th April with my 2nd DS, already have a DS who's 5 & very excited about having a little brother! I've just finished up work (was doing a maternity cover & she returned earlier than expected) so am off now until baby is born. Bit worried about money, but will manage I'm sure.

My sleeping has gone completely awry at the moment, I do suffer from insomnia every now & then though so am sort of used to it. Other than that, some heartburn & a bit of an achy pelvis (possibly the start of spd?) things are going quite smoothly for me! The first time around I had terrible HG, but amazingly I've not been sick at all with this one.

Haven't really bought anything yet for the baby, apart from some sleep suits. Luckily I've still got quite a few things from DS1, so there's not that much I need to buy. Have been researching pushchairs which is becoming a bit of a headache, think I just need to go & try some out.

Been trying to work out a name with DH, we are settled on the middle name but it's tricky finding a first that we both like. DS1 was so easy to name in comparison!

Right, I wont turn this into an essay, will have a look back at the rest of the thread so I can see how all are doing.

Hi Lola, welcome! I'm due on the 30th too.

Was just deeply asleep and dreaming about cats fighting only to find my cat was actually fighting with a random one in our bedroom who had somehow got through the catflap
All very disconcerting! Must try and get back to sleep, am knackered but too wired now after chasing it out.

Welcome Lola x

26+0 today! Feels like it might be starting to speed up at last!

I only have 31 more working days.

Welcome Lola :).

Haha bext how random! I hope it didn't come back and you got some sleep.

Baby is doing some crazy turns and wiggles this morning. I'm say here feeling my stomach move around like something out of a film. It's weird, I don't think I've felt this much turning before.
Heartburn is evil. I'm having to eat my main meal at 11am as after 12ish I can't eat a thing for the acid feeling. I made my way through 12 chewable gaviscon yesterday and they just aren't cutting it. I also drank 2 pints of milk. I think a new gp appointment is needed.
I should have a mw appointment this week but my mw is on annual leave and her cover me hasn't contacted me yet. I'm hoping she doesn't forget or leave it to the last minute as I have a huge amount of things on this week and next.

fluffeh it sounds like you might need medication to keep on top of that reflux!

Welcome lola, sure you'll find it a lovely bunch!

Well I've spent the night in hospital had some upper abdo pain - I rang 111 just cos I know it can be a sign of preeclampsia...they sent me to OOH who admitted me! They think its probably my gallbladder. Pain isn't bad, they're just being cautious. Plan is to scan me then (please God) send me home! I am very sleep deprived and very, very grumpy.

Oh and 25+0!

Thanks for all the advice ladies. Will check with HR. I have my fingers crossed that I can do a day from home every now and then.
Will also talk to the office physio re SPD. Hopefully, she can hook me up with a girdle!

Hope you are out of the hospital and on the mend soon Faith.

Wow - this thread moves so fast! :)

Waves at date-twin EmpressMatilda and almost-date-twin WeeHans - how are you guys feeling? I'm beginning to feel tired again now and I'm getting terrible sciatica on and off. It's hard to physically get myself out of bed at times!

Growyourown77 - I think I got the same Groupon deal! Our scan is tomorrow - I'll let you know how it goes. I know its a bit of a trip from Faversham - but if you do fancy a catch-up in Sevenoaks let me know? :) Only problem is that I don't drive so everything needs to be train or walking distance!

NotShortImFunSized - ooh, definitely up for a coffee if you're local, especially when maternity leave starts. I'll drop you a line.

I'm now 27+4 and it's beginning to feel like hard work. Starting NCT classes tomorrow night which I'm really looking forward to (less so my DH!)

I've scheduled maternity leave to start on the 15th March (37 weeks) but wondering if I might regret leaving it so late? Haven't experienced this before so what are your thoughts? My current journey to work is a 20 minute walk to the train station, then 35 minutes on the train, then another 10 minutes walk to work...

Hooray, am home :) scan as outpatient but even if they find gallstones they do find gallstones they won't do anything til after the baby is born!

Hi Novia I also get quite tired. Never used to be bothered about sleeping but now I am! I get a bit achy too, in the bump. The baby moves a lot and we both love watching and feeling it.

I am listening to R4 Woman's Hour on Listen Again www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pp56c about new motherhood. It's quite frightening.

I am so excited, but so nervous about newborn motherhood.

Novia the 15th will be my last day too - I'll be 37w+2.
Another 10 weeks at work feels a bit unbearable at the moment! It's only a 15 minute walk to / from work for me, but when I'm there it's 8 hours hard slog!!
I have enough holiday left to try and book off a day a week though - am trying my hardest to do that!!

Glad you got home Faith I swear you ring those 111 people/NHS direct for a tiny spot of reassurance/maybe an out of hours GP but I swear it ends up in a hospital trip every time. Hope you start to feel better!

I'm a bit better again today, though I have a lot to do which is kind of making me feel worse. Am keeping taking my paracetamol & using the vicks/steaming.

I went off tea again, but I can't seem to adjust to being off it & keep making cups then having 1 sip & chucking it away... not ideal.

26+4

Hi everyone, not posted for awhile but been lurking in background. Am 24 weeks today and starting to feel like hard work walking etc. Lola i am your due date buddy as due 30th April but this is my first.

Planning on working til about 38 weeks but will see how it goes, I am lucky as work from home alot so not much travelling.

I know this sounds silly but I am starting to get itchy feet about going on mat leave and being bored brainless- I am used to being busy and stimulated if you know what I mean?

Like some of you I'm having real problems sleeping at moment, my hips and pelvis really ache when lying on side, tried putting pillows in all sorts of positions and doesn't seem to help much. I can get comfy lying on my back but that's not good for the baby..ahhh

Also is anyone else having trouble picking things up from floor? I know I should bend at the knees but my centre of gravity has gone for a long walk somewhere & I get too wobbly. But bump doesn't bend so without sounding like a clown to pick things up am bending with my legs open so bump goes between them. It gets the job done but I can't help wondering if theres not a better way.

No tips from me about bending down - think it is just going to be worse from this point on! I'm struggling putting on tights and socks - have to sort of put them on in a sideways position then swivel them round. Sheesh! The indignity!

Also, really not enjoying walking down stairs - am really worried about falling for some reason. Think it is because of not seeing where I'm putting my feet combined with strange centre of gravity!

I had a growth scan today (I'm type 1 diabetic so get these every two weeks from now on). All fine and baby is in the 59th percentile for projected weight, height and tummy circumference. Projected to be around 7.5 lbs. So pleased as it means all my struggles with managing the diabetes seems to be paying off!

27+6

Exactly username! I'm loads better thanks. Just shattered. The ward was, um, noisy!

Re bending over - I read the safest way to bend in pregnancy was to go down on one knee to help the balance.

JoR I'm looking forward to mat leave/holiday! Everything I've read suggests its the last time you get to relax, watch box sets, prepare for the baby. I'll only have 4 weeks before my due date though!

Congratulations Bona, well done you for managing your diabetes so well. 7.5lb baby sounds perfect!

I saw the midwife for my 25 week appt . All fine, bump is meausring spot on which pleases me because some people have said my bump is huge! and heard the heartbeat again. Always makes me :)

Hi everyone, I've not posted for quite a while - although have been reading all of you posts regularly..loads of topics being discussed on here at the moment so just wanted to add my bit..

Heartburn - I've been suffering any time I eat too much and have taken the Boots own brand peppermint equivalent to Gaviscon (liquid)..tastes vile but seems to do the trick.

Shopping - been on a bit of a splurge the last couple of weeks and made the most of the sales on baby clothes. Got some lovely half price things from Next, Cath Kidston and The White Company (would never pay full price at the last 2 mentioned). All other clothes will be given or supermarket basics. Also bought cot bed -John Lewis Alex Cotbed, a Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle(in the sale with free carrycot and raincover). Have been given rocker, nappy bin, moses basket, bottle warmer, several baths and the promise of lots of baby clothes to come. Seem to spending all the time and still to buy car seat, fedding equipment, bedding, mattress plus all the misc.little things!

Maternity leave..planning to leave at 38 weeks plus or minus a few days depending on whether I can come to some agreement on being paid the bank holidays whilst on leave. I live in Channel Islands where there is no maternity law so given there are 5 bank holidays in April/May when everyone else gets a paid day off..I want to be paid for these too!

Bump - feels huge but measured fine at last appoitment but also feel I've put on too much extra weight (total 20lbs at 27 weeks). The last week or so my appetite reduced quite a bit and now really making an effort with exercise and cutting out crap so hopefully this will curb the unnecessary extra weight gain.

Names - I've chose the name..had the same name and middle name in mind since 12 weeks and I haven't gone off it and can't imagine using any other name now. DP took a bit of convincing but now loves it too!

Bext I went on a babymoon to Barbados a few weeks ago at 22 weeks and the sun did me the world of good. The flight was fine although I was less tolerant of the heat than I usually am. I'm flying out to Australia on Friday for 2 weeks on a work trip and will be 28weeks flying out. I'm not worried about the flight but do need to get a dr/midwife letter for travel after 28 weeks confriming due date and no complications which I am due to get tomorrow. I would be extra careful with travel insurance..a lot of policies don't cover you after 30 weeks..mine didn't and cover can be limited to emergency birth only with no aftercare for you or the baby which could be very expensive if baby is premature. Found a good policy through Ravenhall specifically aimed preganant women for £47.

Sorry for the extra long post!