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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

June 2014 thread 5: 12-wk scans and leaving the 1st tri behind!

999 replies

wispaxmas · 25/11/2013 20:13

Thought I'd get us started Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bumblebeesmum · 04/12/2013 20:57

I had a first pregnancy from hell in terms of employer treatment so I have read up about as much as you can read!

Legally - they have to assume you will take 1 year. If you want to return earlier you need to give at least 8 weeks in writing, but in practice most employers expect a dialogue about when you will return with the 8 weeks being applicable if you change your mind.

You do accrue holiday but as yet it is not certain whether you can keep it (unless in your contract) if your holiday policy doesn't allow you to roll holiday across years. There's no legal right to keep accrued holiday to the next year. In reality most employers have a policy allowing maternity holiday to roll forward or just make you take holiday before you leave - either way check!

You have no right for any flexible terms on return (I found out the hard way) they must consider any request reasonably but don't have to grant it. There was absolutely no way they couldn't facilitate me being part time but whether you want to go down appeals / grievance routes somewhere you intend to stay working is a tough decision & I chose not.

You are only entitled to the same job if you return after ordinary mat leave (6 months) if you take any additional leave then you are just entitled to an appropriate role at same grade / salary.

I think those worrying about employers - it's luck of the draw but you know them best. I work in an almost exclusively male team (& industry) & they'd never had a pregnancy before. The fact I work for an absolutely enormous company with massive HR had no affect as it's about your department really that impact your work.

But - know your rights, choose your fights carefully & try not to worry. Although I was given a hard time in my pregnancy at the end of the day the stress & worry about it all was probably the worst thing. Easier said than done I know.

dramajustfollowsme · 04/12/2013 20:58

Mw appt, she had double booked, couldn't remember me and asked to go through everything again. It is all in my notes and some things are quite upsetting. She looked blankly when I spoke of the problem that led to losing my ds. She went through this with me just a couple of weeks ago. I know she is busy but my back story is quite unusual, you'd think she might remember something. Nope, not a thing.
She dropped the urine sample. Then couldn't find any of my bulging veins. Confused
I have to go back tomorrow to the nurse to get my bloods done but my arms are sore and resemble a pin cushion.
It is a shame that I work on the days that my previous mw is at the surgery. I have faith in her but I know with me working pt, school will expect me to make my appts on my days off.

Bumblebeesmum · 04/12/2013 21:02

Sorry drama that sounds really upsetting :(

BEEwitched · 04/12/2013 21:18

Drama, that sounds absolutely horrible!

Good luck for your scans, ladies!

I've just ordered my first maternity jeans, I went dir ones with elastic band over the bump.

Btw, I just realised both my favourite boys and girls name are from Charlie Brown. Total accident!

Cherryjellybean · 04/12/2013 22:02

Drama that sounds awful :(

Good luck to those with scans tomorrow!!

I brought out my maternity wear from last pregnancy and its reminded me how big I will probably get. It was all tight on me at the end last time!

Jaykay I feel mine is a boy too, and I am overall less sick than I was with dd which also makes me think its a boy.

super I love that you have dummy names! We refused to tell anyone with our first as everyone seems to have an opinion, or 'knows someone' with that name. But we might do that for fun this time :D

Cherryjellybean · 04/12/2013 22:17

Drama, is there any way you could get to appointments with your old midwife after school, if they are the latest ones she has in the day and you booked them well in advance?

Redcliff · 04/12/2013 22:26

Poor you drama - what a horrible experience .

In terms of work I think they can ask you what your plans are in terms of how long you want to take but you don't have to tell them if you don't want to.

I have clearly been really lucky last pregnancy and this time round even luckier although I work in a very female dominated industry so perhaps that helps. I took 7 months off last time and was very desperate to go back. This time round am thinking a year could be lovely if we can make the money work.

Am very impressed that people have names sorted and changing bags ordered - I am no where near doing anything like that.

bellygazing · 04/12/2013 22:41

Hi all, some heartwrenching updates on here. Thinking of you all. I have my scan on Saturday and am really nervous. After mmc in March I think I would fall apart if the news wasn't good. With my dd I was just impatient to have the go-ahead to tell everyone. Have sadly lost that innocent optimism, but I know the odds are in my favour. Have told almost no-one but am planning to go to my parents Saturday evening and break the news. If it's bad news we'll tell them too as I know I'll need the support. Fx for all those with scans in the next couple of days.

Notfastmainlyfurious · 04/12/2013 22:48

Drama, that's shocking! I have the same midwife as I did with DD 2 years ago and she remembered me from then so how can 2 weeks have done it for her??? Have you had your scan yet? I have to go to amh this time as I was late in booking and I'm not looking forward to being left waiting for hours. Hoping for a positive review.

Notfastmainlyfurious · 04/12/2013 22:51

Belly I know what you mean I had mmc before having my dd and even after the last positive result I can't shift the fear. I'm sure it will be good for you this time though.

CleverOl10 · 04/12/2013 23:07

Drama I don't think they can insist that you get appts on your day off. Just say midwife only works certain days and swap. I work part time but just take whatever appt - in fact when booking my next couple after Xmas deliberately chose work days as I figure I'll need a little break by then!

ElizaB3 · 04/12/2013 23:15

Ada that is brilliant news! And like you say goes to show that even a worrying scan doesn't mean something is wrong

And Seat glad to hear you're ok after your ordeal

I had a three hour review at work today and didn't mention the bump also sitting at the table!
So nearly blurted it out but wanted to get pay rise in the bag first. (Anyone else read Lean In?!)

adaloveslace · 05/12/2013 02:58

Thanks so, so much everyone. Thanks We told our other two DC and my parents and siblings last night, and everyone (especially the DC) were thrilled for us. DD has started suggesting names already (we didn't tell her the gender and we're going to keep it to DH and me) - Tom, Max or Andy for a boy (all good), or Tiana for a girl (hmmm. May need to work on girls' names.)

Seat, hope you're okay. That was quite a shocking scare your little bundle gave you. Looks like some of us are having having babies who like to create a little drama for their poor parents. I hope the bleeding has settled down. I know plenty of women bleed all the way through their pregnancies and have perfectly healthy babies, though that's probably not going to stop you worrying massively every time.

Drama, I'm really sorry to hear you had to go through that with your midwife. I'm not sure how it works in the UK as I've never had a baby there, but can you ask to see someone else? If not, I would make your appointments for the days she's not there. A good midwife is so important. There were two different midwives alternating in the practice I went to with DS, one fabulous, and one not so. Unfortunately, the day I went into early labour with my son, I called up and got Not-So. She told me to go home and rest and come in in the morning....with six weeks to go til my due date and an IUGR baby. I was in the labour ward a few hours later.

Eliza, I'm a big Sheryl Sandberg fan. I loved Lean In. You were absolutely right to say nothing - let us know how the negotiations go.

Belly and everyone else with scans coming up, best of luck with them. One little thing I did yesterday when I was waiting for the lab to ring with cvs results was buy the baby a present, a gold hamsa hand necklace. It's supposed to bring luck and protection. I put it on straight away, and I'm going to wear it until she's here, and then it'll be hers. (I'd have given it to a boy too - even if he didn't want to wear it.)

ohcluttergotme · 05/12/2013 05:54

Morning all.
Ada that sounds a lovely gesture to get the protection bracelet Smile

Talking of names my ds (4) seems to be coming round to the idea of babies a little. He said he will be happy with a baby brother and wants to call him Phillipe (said with French accent!) he said if a girl he wants to call her my name then he wants to marry me and I can be his wife. 4 year olds can be so funny when they're not being maddeningly frustrating!
3 hours 50 mins until my scan, almost there!

Liquidambar · 05/12/2013 06:54

Good morning everyone one.

I think I slept around 4 hours. Very worried about the scan and work. Not a good combination Sad

drama that is a shame. I'm not sure how it works where you live but usually they work in teams. could you call the main office team and ask to swap mw? It's also good to let them know that you are no happy. Every mother needs to feel reassured. But it's easier said than done.

bumblebee thanks for the advice. I know I will need to negotiate my holidays with my line manager because in theory I shouldn't be able to roll more than 5 days. I also have something called stay in touch days. And it is expected that I keep in touch. The definition is very vague and I'm ubsure on what "resealable" might mean for different people.

It is so windy up here. Shock

wish me good luck and good luck to you too clutter. I think you are going to the Royal. I'm going to another place.

ElizaB3 · 05/12/2013 08:00

Positive thoughts Clutter & Liquid - it's most likely to be an amazing experience

Ada - Love the bracelet idea.
20% rise & bonus are in the bag! Lean, lean, lean! If I had my way I wouldn't tell them til the last minute. I don't want it to change the dynamic at work or to be viewed any differently for as long as poss.

Thanks bumblebee for the info, v interesting.

Drama - I also didn't like my MW, tricky being in small place as will bump into her, but I think I'm moving hospitals so that will fix it.

Anyone have any experience of Watford MU, particularly the new Alexandra birthing unit? Thanks

GillyBillyWilly · 05/12/2013 08:10

Hi everyone!
I haven't really been on here properly for ages! Had my best friend staying at our house for a few nights as she is visiting the uk from Canada and since she left (on Monday) I've been so busy with work!
Hope everyone is doing well Smile
I'm 14+3 today and starting to feel like I'm getting a little bump! could just be fat though! Grin

MTMD · 05/12/2013 08:42

Liquid, do you work for nhs? It appears we have similar ML arrangements. The no-more-than-5-days AL roll over is fairly new and im really annoyed about it :/

Eliza, congratulations and well done!

Redcliff · 05/12/2013 08:45

Just wanted to wish everyone good luck with their scans today.

Belly - completely understand. I had 2 MCs before this pregnancy and before every scan I have been a wreck.

Liquidambar · 05/12/2013 09:47

phew! all well with this very active baby. Grin the lady doing the scan was lovely and very patient. my new date is 14 June and I'm 12+5 today. Apparently my placenta is in the front so I am more likely to feel movements later than usual.

GinandStripes · 05/12/2013 09:49

I must keep telling myself that all this throwing up is a good thing.

Just really doesn't feel like it.

Got an appointment with the nurse in an hour, to do my blood tests they couldn't do at my booking-in appointment. Might have to take a bucket with me.

chestnutmare · 05/12/2013 09:53

I've got my scan tomorrow, am a little nervous! First pregnancy so I guess it's just a bit of fear of the unknown! Plus am scared they'll give us bad news. Hopefully we'll be able to relax afterwards though! Scan is at 9.10am so at least we don't have to worry all day beforehand!

GinandStripes · 05/12/2013 09:57

Hey chestnutmare My scan is tomorrow too but at 2.50pm - think I'll go mad, I doubt I'll sleep tonight either!

chestnutmare · 05/12/2013 10:02

Bit nerve wracking isn't it GinandStripes! I am looking forward to it, but scared too! Fingers crossed all goes well for us both! Smile

MTMD · 05/12/2013 10:30

Congrats Liquid!

Chestnut wow mine is also tomorrow at exactly the same time!! So nervous. Basically trying not to think about it...

A little bit less sick today - woohoo!!