February 2014. The cake mix is in the mug, the microwave is on, it's slowly rising and we'll be pinging in three more months!

[Shropshiremummy2B]

Sadly my cake mix is rising too much and resulting in a serious muffin top.

highlight of my day was breast pump arriving.

Indeed.

vix/lastnight still thinking of you love.

missk I'm jealous, my bump grew loads on hols (because I was eating American portions, I reckon) and I think it's stayed exactly the same size or possibly even shrunk since! Am doing my best to keep it topped up with cake...

The sleeping on back thing - there was a study done in NZ and there was a teeny, tiny, miniscule higher risk of stillbirth if pregsters slept on back in last trimester as opposed to on LH/RH side. BUT the study was apparently not very good - i.e. self reporting, only took into account position fallen asleep/woken up in rather than through the night, etc

I agree that we are likely to feel the ill effects before baby does, though wish I knew more about flow of blood/human biology to verify that!

Thanks Sassy. I'll ask midwife when I see her.

Eeyore Take off the bra! Nobody's business but your own. Even just unhook it.

I have so many questions for my next midwife appointment I'm sure she won't have time for me to get half of them out. Last time I felt pretty rushed out of the door - what are you meant to do when you have questions?

Thanks Eeyore - oh my god if there is a non-alcoho hoegaarden alike I will be in heaven! Congrats on your DHs job offer. It's not great that the school is going into special measures but it might not be that bad. We got a 4 in our ofsted just before summer but schools actually better than it was when ofsted gave us a 2 so you never know it might be okay. Although obviously a lot if work if in special measures. Hopefully things will improve quickly tho. How did he feel about the place on interview?

Tinkerbelle - I got emailed loads of Preggo stuff when I first told my school I was preg and it included into on entitlement and a form to fill in from the LA to tell them when I want to go on mat. I think the rules are we need to tell them in writing by 25 weeks (well 15 weeks before due date). So I would get that done ASAP - even if you just write a letter to the head/governors I cover your back and push them for more info if it's not the right way to do it. The matb1 form doesn't have to be in at the same time, as long as they have it before baby is born I think it's okay. In terms if risk assessment my place have been crap but now I have a tick sheet thing to do.

You also don't have to tell them how long you want off unless you want to. We're entitled to a year obviously and you can go back before if you want but they need 8 weeks (I think) notice of this. I think we also get some holiday pay in the last month were off too but I could be wrong as we don't get holiday allowance like in other jobs. I hope that's useful and that you manage to get it sorted. It's so annoying when work are shit about stuff like this - it's not like they've beer sorted it out before!

You ladies don't half talk! Not much to add from my side, I haven't thought at all about child care, partly as not even sure where will be living once once she'll need it.

Told work HR this week and ironed out tje weird AL stuff - I can take it when I want. But she didn't mention risk assessments or anything like that.

Flu jabs are so painful! They should warn you more. Thankfully you guys gave the heads up on having it in my non sleeping side. Am trying not to sleep on my back but always seem to end up there despite my pillow nest

You ladies don't half talk! Not much to add from my side, I haven't thought at all about child care, partly as not even sure where will be living once once she'll need it.

Told work HR this week and ironed out tje weird AL stuff - I can take it when I want. But she didn't mention risk assessments or anything like that.

Flu jabs are so painful! They should warn you more. Thankfully you guys gave the heads up on having it in my non sleeping side. Am trying not to sleep on my back but always seem to end up there despite my pillow nest

Eek I'm 25+2 now misskat and obv last day of school tomorrow! Better get writing that letter. Do I literally write something along the lines of dear mr head, as you are aware I am currently 25weeks pregnant. I am writing to inform you that I intend to begin my maternity leave on 6th jan.

Sorry I'm so clueless just don't know what to write and letter will literally be 2lines long at this rate! Thanks for advice tho. Will call hr again tomorrow so hopefully they can send me all forms. Will be 27weeks after hols tho

MissKat - love the typo in the last line of your last post - think you have it on the brain :)

I asked my midwife about sleeping on my back at my 16 wk appointment and she said she didn't know of it being a problem, although I don't think it's comfortable right at the end of pregnancy because of the weight. I try to lie on my left side (not comfortable on right at all for some reason!) with a pillow under my bump but end up on my back anyway!

A friend of mine gave me a spreadsheet last time of baby 'essentials' and nice to haves before baby is born. She probably has a spreadsheet to keep track of all of her spreadsheets. Anyway if I can work out how to do it I'll add it to the facebook group - I have never added a spreadsheet to facebook before!

Vix/Last night - good to have you lurking :)

Hello girls! I have not even been able to catch up - things are so incredibly hectic right now! Will take some pictures tomorrow of the coming nursery and put on fb :)

Just saw a couple of girls worrying about lack of movement - my little chap has been awfully quiet the last week, so I went and listened to the heartbeat (midwife said I could come anytime), and it was completely like it should be! But still hard not to worry though :P

I have suddenly developed a proper bump. It went from nothing to very big in one week, woah!

Tinkerbellefairy I'm not a teacher but I think the same laws apply in all employment - you need to give notice of when you want your maternity leave and SMP to start in writing to your employer leave at least 15 weeks before your due date (so this week basically if you are 25 weeks)

Your MatB1 form then has to be supplied within 21 days of your SMP start date. So if you want your maternity leave and SMP to start 1st Feb then tell them this week in a letter and you have to give your MatB1 form to them by 11th Jan. Your MatB1 is basically the proof that you are pregnant and is required by payroll for the SMP (they have to supply a copy to HMRC)

So cover yourself and give them the letter confirming your start date for maternity leave tomorrow but you have a bit of breathing space to give them the form.

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim

oops sorry - I've just seen misskat said everything already - I thought I was reading the thread 'flipped' but obviously not!
My letter was really short - it just read

"Dear xxx

As you know, I am pregnant and my estimated due date is 7th February 2014. I intend that my maternity leave and SMP will commence 3rd February 2014.

I do not currently have a return date to give you, however I can confirm I am aware that I am obliged to provide you with 8 weeks notice of my intention to return.

I will provide my MatB1 certificate as proof of my pregnancy within the required time frame.

Please confirm my maternity leave start date as well as my SMP amount, start and end date back to me in writing within the next 28 days. Please let me know if you have any queries,

Yours sincerely
xxx"

I probably cant remember half the things I was going to write.

Cot beds vs cots: we went for a coy best to get maximum use out of it. DS outgrew his crib by 3.5 months so we had a rushed purchase. He went into the bed conversion at 20months having climbed into it. He will use it until next one outgrows crib.

Maternity letters, I kept mine simple, including date going off on ml and expected return date, with any changes being made in accordance with company policy.

Flu jab/whooping cough: I have had flu jab as its not just me it protecting and will do same for whooping cough. I never had that jab as a child and got whooping cough so it's a definite one for me.

My brain is frazzled today due to ds reaching night terrors/mares age and an hour of obstetric physio earlier...

I got a Moses basket with stand for the first few months (for as long as he fits!), and a cot bed thereafter x

tinkerbelle the NUT has a good document on maternity rights and entitlements available on their website, also has copy letter in the appendix.

I'm not NUT but our finance director just told me to use that when I asked what next step was at school (he is useless) and it is informative, including asking about different hours on return to work.

Speaking of risk assessment though... I've had none and in fact been given extra work due to someone else being on sick leave - now acting head of year, although no change in pay or extra admin time, hmm may need to speak with union. Also not been officially told / asked about it by the head, although she has said 'I'm in charge' and that I just have to 'shoulder it'...

Roll on half term!

Also mothercare have 15% off if you spend £100 or more online until nov 3rd.

And mamas and papas has a sale on!

and apparently I also cant spell. Apologies for the various errors...

I can second the recommendation for cot beds. My DS moved into his at 3 months when he had well and truly outgrown the Moses basket and even now that he's 20 months and a big lad, he has lots of lovely space to get comfy in there. The sides are still on thankfully but we'll probably tackle his move into a little bed when the new arrival needs his cot bed.

missk DH says bavaria wheat beer is the most like hoegaarden. Apparently Tesco normally stock it. He's having a real hoegaarden now.

I've taken bra off but ribs still kill I'm not a happy bunny.

Another vote for cot beds.
DD stayed in her Moses basket 10 weeks, then moved into the cot bed, and stayed in it (as a bed) till she was 30 months old, when she moved into a normal single. She was always perfectly comfy on a standard foam mattress, though I would have paid a bit more had we had the cash at the time! We will be reusing the Moses (including mattress) and cot bed, but will get a new mattress this time round I think.

Is 8.45 too early for bed? I'm shattered!

Thank you so much misskat, who put and cubano for all the advice, feel much better now and looks like you've saved me just in time to get my letter in!

I'm not with nut either but thanks so much as just read all their maternity info and very useful and more clued up. I'll definitely use that letter template and hand it to my head tomorrow. Nut says we should get matb1 form around 6months so at least I have time to try to get in contact with midwife about that.

Thank you so much ladies x

Tinkerbelle - Google 'NUT Maternity Matters', it has all you need and clearly explained. My Mat thingy form was in late but I just emailed the Head saying the date I wanted maternity to commence. I also said 'although I cannot confirm yet, I am intending to take 6 months ML, and may therefore return to work on or around...'
You only need to give 28days notice to change start or end date of ML I believe. Don't worry.

Hi, haven't posted on this thread yet and cant believe it's reached 300 posts already. Obviously I can't comment on all of those! But wanted to say hope you are ok vix (sorry cant remember your new name) and welcome to newcomers.

24 weeks today - another milestone. Next stop 27 wks, third trimester.

Two of the mums at school have had their babies in the last 24hrs. I remember when I was first pregnant thinking once they've had theirs mine will be getting close.

I think we should all have a whipround for champagne and her free advice service! I am thinking of all the ways to make sure I get as many months with 'free' ccv as possible. I wanted to start ML on 7 feb but I'm starting on 31st Jan to ensure feb pay is all smp so they wont be able to deduct. I'm also thinking about keeping in touch days. If I do any I'll have to make sure the dont fall in months that I'm on smp or I'll end up having my ccv deducted. So much working out to do!

Purchases - I've ordered pram and car seat.
I've bought a few babygros, vests, sleep bras, maternity pads, breast pads etc ( only to make up the order for free delivery).

Still need - Moses basket, sheets, blankets, rocker chair, nursing bras. Thanks for the mothercare tip cubano I like the look of the snug Moses basket in mothercare.

Things I'm not bothering with - monitor. Have never had one and my babies have always let me know when they need me! Baby bath. - again never had one, never been a problem. Bottles, breast pump etc. Had these previously but I will get them when I'm ready to express.

I'm sure I had loads more to say! Hope everyone has a good weekend.

I just came across this online - 10% off all Cook meals for 6 months when you have a new baby! If anyone hasn't tried their food, it's delicious and is my go-to brand when I can't be bothered to cook. Also does great kids meals. Some friends brought a few of their meals round as gifts when we had DS and they were really welcome. Stock up your freezers!
www.cookfood.net//register?redirect=%2fnewmums&style=newmums