October 2013: Almost halfway!

[cherrycherry41]

Thread 8 of 1,000

Talking about crappy work I got an email this morning listing problems. My maths lesson started 12 minutes late (I carried on all afternoon), perhaps I should do more maths to compensate (we already do 6.5 hours a week instead of 5) as maths is a concern in this year group (only since announcing my pregnancy) and another thing please would I attend Friday morning meetings (one person from the team does and reports back to save time. And they are listed as optional and in non directed time in the handbook).

Argh! Wanted to just reply fuck off but I am not sure that would be a great career move...

Just because something is said verbally doesn't mean you can't do anything. I would make a contemporaneous note of exactly what was said now. Email it to yourself to date it.

To be fair, it can work both ways. DH was "managed out" of his last job as a part time primary teacher for similar reasons. He had always had good/outstanding one. Suddenly, the head did three unannounced one which she said were not good. She made DH do weekly progress meetings with her outside his hours (so no childcare!), and said "men don't make good primary teachers, especially not if they have childcare commitments outside work". She also wanted him to change his days on one weeks notice - impossible with childcare. She then said "if you can't be flexible, I don't think there's a place for you here". When he applied, his days were what was advertised as a part time role . He is leaving. Not a single member of staff that remains at the school has young children .

Above, one = obs!

Thanks for all the responses on the NCT classes. Midwife did say that I would be more likely to make mummy friends on the NCT classes as they are smaller, but then she did warn me that they are very "pro-natural birth" and won't really discuss the full range of pain relief options. Having never gone through labour before i'll happily say that i'll have a natural birth, but the reality is I would like to know all the options available to me for when the time comes. At the moment i'm considering doing the NHS for the info (and maybe an education jellycurls, based on your experience!) and NCT for the social aspect, but not sure if that would be overkill!
smitten my midwife will book the NHS classes for me but they won't start until 32 weeks so probably still plenty time for them to mention it to you. Although there is one called "fit for pregnancy" that i have to attend in the next couple of weeks. That could just be a local thing though.
clapham I would love to be a gardener. Really fancy getting out of stuffy offices and boardrooms!
Can't believe what some are going through at work. Be strong ladies! In this day and age it's a joke that there are still people out there who see pregnancy/motherhood as the end of a woman's career.
Charleston is the FB group the same as the one GTBaby has set-up? (p.s. i have pm'd you on that GTBaby as i would like to join please)
Better get on with some work. At least it's Friday! I'm knackered this week too, but just back to work after a 2 week break and was a bit jet-lagged at the start of the week so hoping that is the main cause. REALLY hope this isn't a return to the tiredness I had earlier on.
One more thing, if anyone else has started experiencing dry arms/legs, i got a really good Aveeno moisturiser from Boots with Shea Butter for extra-dry/sensitive skin. One of the best moisturiser I have used, although does smell a bit oaty
Have a good Friday everyone!

Have any ladies here done a long haul flight whilst being pregnant? I'm due to go to China a week on Sunday and starting to worry the 11+ hour flight and 7 hour time difference will be too much for me....DP's brother lives in shanghai so we are visiting him for 6 days, starting to think I've over committed myself and shouldn't be flying so far and especially to china where the medical care probably isn't the same as here! I wish I'd never agreed to go now....

Oh and sorry also meant to ask do you need to advise your travel insurance company that your are pregnant beforehand?

Never flown long haul I'm bad enough on short haul when not pregnant so can't help there flyer but I deffo think its worth mentioning to your travel insurance about being preggo just to cover yourself x

Oh and Natalie and all the others in the anterior placenta gang I'm with you on not feeling any movements etc its really starting to do my head in now and I just want to feel something, anything!

How's this for a baby brain story:

I have a monthly tram pass and bus pass for my commute to work. I normally keep it in the inside pocket of my bag but yesterday it slipped into my lunch bag. I didn't need my lunch bag today because we do canteen lunch on Friday (highlight of my week), so I left it at home. They were checking tickets this morning. I got caught without my pass, and given a £100 fine. I then had to walk home and get my pass and phone (which I accidentally left at home as well) and call in to work because I'm going to be late. How humiliating!

sanji, was going to say exactly the same as legally. Lawyers, hey. The fact he spoke to you with no other witnesses might make the event more difficult to prove, but does not at all mean that it doesn't count as discrimination. Definitely definitely write a note to yourself, factual, dated, non-emotive. The key bit was "he was going to make me head of dept but as I was pregnant he wasn't going to do that now and was. Going to give the position to someone else instead".

ana - that is really really annoying. But at least it happened on a Friday!

MrsO - snap, I've just discovered Aveeno as well, thanks to MN. I use the handcream and it's the only one I've found that stays working despite my constant hand-washing. But as you say, it does make my hands smell a little... agricultural.

flyer747 I flew to East coast of the USA and back recently, so not too long a flight, was a 5 hour time difference, and I was fine. Jet lag was a bit worse than i expected though. I just booked an aisle seat near the loo, which was very handy! You're best to tell your insurance company too, just in case.

morning all!! just been catching up!!
I have terrible back ache, just on the left side right down into my bum. I had it after having surgery a few years ago and its back now!! will try looking up some pregnancy pilates on YouTube too!!
I'm 20weeks today, so half way there!! i don't know where my placenta is (sounds like I've lost it!?!) but I've been getting quite a lot of movement. didn't feel much yesterday, but had some faint kicks very low down so think lo had moved position. had a lot more again today so not worried. scan on Monday, cherrycherry I think you are the same? anyone else?

ana, what a dreadful start to your day, hope it gets better from here.

sanji, I can't believe your boss said that! I'm with my fellow lawyers on this though, keep a contemporaneous note of everything. As legally blonde suggests, emailing it to yourself proves the date. Alternatively ask a colleague to sign and date (they don't need to see the content, they're just confirming the existence of the document).

orange, to an external observer that sounds very fishy. So your performance was great until pregnant and now they have concerns? Idiots. Are you a member of a Union? Might be worth a chat with them (they'll often cover legal fees too if you decide to take it further)

I had a horrid situation in my previous employment, not pregnancy related though. After years of great reviews, there was a change in manager. He took a dislike to me, to this day I don't know why, and made my life a misery. It was 2 years ago and I still regret not taking action. Thankfully, my current employers are a lot better. I really feel for those of you in this position though, it really affected me badly.

Yes on the tiredness. I'm still waiting for the 2nd trimester burst of energy. I've taken today off, just to get some rest as I'm knackered.was meant to be saving my holidays to stay off longer with the baby, but I really needed a day.

I'm planning to do both NHS and NCT classes. I know nothing about babies so need all the help I can get! Also hoping to meet people at the same stage as me.

I expect you'll be fine Flyer, but I would also tell insurer. Last pregnancy, I flew to NY then the red eye back at 31 weeks!!! I needed a special note from my doctor though as I was over 28 weeks. It was for work. They insisted. City law firm... And I had to be back at my desk fir the day after the red eye return... I don't work there now!!!!!But the flight etc was fine. I took a travel cushion for my back which helped a lot.

Thanks...I'm sure I will be fine, my goodness I work as cabin crew (not whilst up the duff though) I need to chill, all i seem to have done in this pregnancy is worry! I have put upgrades on my booking so fingers crossed (staff travel, standby) the red eye JFk-LHR until my BFP I did about 2 of those a month, I don't miss them it has to be said....I may have even served you at some point legally!

Can I join in

17 weeks due at the end of October, 2 days before my birthday !!

DD was also my early Christmas present back in 2009

Welcome winter xx

Is anyone scanning today? Best of luck to u if you are xx

Will be my turn next Friday :-)

flyer my company made me fly to San Francisco when I was 7 months pregnant (in economy class...) I must say I found the long flight and 8 hours time difference really tough... And my legs were really swollen for a couple of days. I was ok physically otherwise. I think you will be OK at 5 months pregnant but get all the upgrades you can get! China - how exciting!! Always wanted to go there.

sanji I did exactly what all the lawyers suggested. I was sending them emails after every conversation saying "further to our conversation earlier today, I understand that... etc..." to put it all in writing, even if they weren't responding. To keep track of all developments. I also got some advice from a couple of employment lawyers who said I had a clear case but also warned me about what would be involved (emotionally, financially and timewise) if I wanted to file a case against such a big and strong company. And after all, my company "doesn't do evil"...

ana really sorry to hear about your morning... sounds like a nightmare but it's almost the weekend! Take it easy

roofio hope your back gets better!

jelly forgot to mention yesterday - your NHS classes story was hilarious!

Finally, for those of you looking for potassium to fix jerky legs, coconut water is amazing. Apparently one glass is equivalent to eating 3 bananas. It's an aquired taste (I love it now) and it's quite expensive but amazing. Also great for hangovers although this is not a concern for another year :-)

Hi im new here and halfway point today! Expecting baby for the 4th of October :)

Welcome kay xxx isit your first dc?

Morning all,

I has banked my assignment scores for my OU degree going to complete my current module in Feb.

I couldn't get the lovely pushchair in the end had an unexpected bill come out

Will be trawling ebay when DH gets paid lol

How is everyone, sorry to here of those with difficult work situations I really feel for you!

kayshields due date buddies!! I'm due the 4th too!! exactly half way today!! when is your 20wk scan?

Hey I'm new I'm due 10th of October with my 2nd got my scan next Thursday soooo excited to find out what we're having can't wait. :)

Welcome to the new ladies, shellandkai I also am scanning with you next Thursday....excited and nervous x

Hello to all the newcomers.
I used to love coconut milk Clapham until some idiot somewhere decided it was a "superfood" and it tripled in price.