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.

Sorry - don't worry champagne - I'll have a hunt - shouldn't ask you to become my HR guru without paying you! Thanks for the heads up though
Means more time off for me but I hate to leave boss in the lurch. He's a good bloke and I'm the only one who does and can do my job, trying to sort cover would be a colossal ball ache for us all so trying to get things sorted enough to keep him going for my absence . I guess I have 2 less weeks to achieve that now!

Thanks champagne I have been asked to contact the pensions administrator to confirm what happens when I'm off so might do that too. I thought they had to keep their contributions going even if mine stop but the initial response from HR suggested differently.

For any of you who are train commuters have you checked your rail company's website for any pregnant mother deals? Just spotted this on South West Trains website which allows preggos to sit in First Class if no standard seats available.

jazz that's amazing - I had to sit on the floor in the corridor for 90 mins on Friday despite booking in advance didn't get a reservation amd the guard I asked on the train was a fuckwit less than sympathetic and wouldn't help at all

Yeah I'm only planning on taking 10-12 weeks off so was after 6 weeks at 90% pay and 4 weeks at full pay as 2013 annual leave, leaving my 2014 annual leave alone for the end of the year once I've got everything back on track for them again. I guess I can still do that if they let me have my 2013 annual leave in march/April? It's carrying it over further than they would ordinarily allow but I guess it makes no actual difference to them eh?

Well, your positive thoughts worked - I still have a job!!! And I am counting down the last 29 days in it before I can take nearly a year off. Phew, what a relief.

Enjoy Scotland Shropshire - used to spend long summer holidays on the isle of Mull when I was a kid, I love the islands.

Glad your meeting went well Littlest must be a relief!

The whole pension thing gives me a headache. I’ve opted out so far (naughty I know) and am being auto enrolled at the start of November. I have absolutely no clue about what the package is as I have to wait until I’ve been enrolled to find out it would seem. Seriously thinking of opting out again though, but then when will I ever decide we can afford to opt in?!

I’m currently sat in my comfy new office chair, it’s pretty amazing – the seat slides forwards and backwards and it even has an air bag in the back that I can pump up if I need it. I was so uncomfortable in my other seat I asked HR if there was a more comfortable chair and they wheeled this to me, complete with the visiting chair supplier (who just happened to be here at the time) he explained all about being pregnant and sitting in chairs and what it does to our bodies - I wish I could remember what he said!

I'm due in Feb! Just joined - is there a way to actually 'join' this club or do I just keep an eye..?

Glad it went well littlest.
champagne, I've noticed a complete change in the last few years. It used to be the case that buggies/young children, older people, those with disabilities and pregnant women would get offered seats and be allowed on the bus first but now its every one for themselves. I guess everyone assumes that its someone elses responsibility to offer a seat.
I've started to be more assertive and boss people around (ie: "would you mind sitting there so my son and I can sit here please?" or "could you move your [bloody] bag please?" which works pretty well even if I do get dirty looks. Ok, I don't say "bloody" but, seriously, people would prefer an inanimate object to have a seat rather than a pregnant woman.

You can just jump in and post LG. Congrats and welcome to our slightly cake obsessed thread.

champagne that's terrible! Have you tried eye contact? So far, although I don't usually travel during rush hour, I've been offered seats if I've caught the eye of whoever is sat down. And been pretty ruthless with seats that are available. I think I would be ashamed of myself if I didn't offer a seat to someone who needed it more than me! (I did stand up to give my seat to a woman who thought it was acceptable to sleep standing up and threaten to fall into my lap several times, dozy bugger, but she was getting off at the next stop)

Jazz I am currently sat in first class on my South West Trains commute home for thy very reason - got my 'Mums 2 Be Upgrade' card at the weekend and am making the most! Makes my mornings so much less stressful as now it pretty much means I can always find a seat! Are you also on SWT?

Jazz I am currently sat in first class on my South West Trains commute home for thy very reason - got my 'Mums 2 Be Upgrade' card at the weekend and am making the most! Makes my mornings so much less stressful as now it pretty much means I can always find a seat! Are you also on SWT?

Thanks guys! I feel welcomed! :-) off work sick today and feeling guilty so good to know other pregnant ladies. Eating chic cake as we speak so guess that's my membership card covered!

Choc not chic!

I am quite visibly pregnant, and not a single person offered a seat. Week ago one woman actually pushed in for available seat. Did't have enough balls to say anything

Also, my 9yo has been always tought to stand up if anyone else needs a seat more than him. People give him surprised looks. Is it weird that 9 yo boy asks elderly woman if she would like to sit down? Where I come from it's normal...