April 2015 thread 7: Our viable, wriggling bumps have us walking belly-first into the new year!

[BrixtonBunny]

New thread xx

On the diabetes front, we just get urine tested at every appointment for that and protein (for preeclampsia), so if it doesn't show up there, I'm not worrying. (And it didn't today!) DH has diabetes, but apparently there's no chance of that affecting me and as I have no family history there's no urgent concern - if the baby has inherited anything, it won't kick in until post-birth so there's no point in worrying about it or testing for it at this stage.

After thinking I'd have to wait to my 28 week appt to get a MATB1, I got mine today, so that's excellent too - can get that into work and get the official paperwork now :)

I haven't heard anything about GTT from my midwives or GP so assume I'm not having one. Am having bloods done at my 28 week (!) midwife appointment next weeks though.

I've emailed my manager this evening asking if I can work a day a week from home from now on. Fingers crossed...

Sorry to hear some of you still have poorly family members - keep well.

26+6

They aren't allowed to ask you that about kit days BananaToast! You also need to figure out what they're going to pay you for them to see if it's worth it too. They only have to make sure you are getting your wages, so top up you smp to your normal hourly rate. At preschool we pay the normal hourly rate on top of smp but don't have to. Also you have to use the kit days before your smp finishes, they are so you can go ito work without losing your maternity pay.

Annia is diabetes one of the things they look for in urine dip? I didn't realise (doh). Mine has been ok so far - hope it stays that way

X posts chococroc, I had loads of extra fluid at my 32 growth scan with ds2 and everyone panicked! By my 36 week one all was normal.

Sugar in the urine is a sign that you have too much for your body to process and hence it just peeing it out BrixtonBunny but it will be quite bad to get that far. Your 28 wk bloods do test glucose again though.

Ahhh ok that makes sense, thanks cinnamon! I'll lay off the chocolate before my bloods then

cinnamon I was surprised it asked me to specify KIT days now but thought maybe that was just standard. They give me a day's annual leave in lieu for each one I do so think it's worth doing a few of them. But the nature of my job means it will be most useful if I can do them flexibly as and when things need my attention. My supervisor is not at all by the book so I'm sure she will tell me what to put on the form to please HR and then do things to suit her and me regardless.

I thought KIT days were paid at your standard wage irrespective of whatever MA / SMP you were getting? No wonder my manager jumped up at the idea of me using the damned things, and no wonder I'm the first person in the history of the company to want to use them!

I've just eaten a massive dish of baked gnocchi with absurd amounts of cheese. Finished off DH's as his appetite not quite back yet. Happy!

My gdt came back fine so I'm still munching on chocolate took DD to the doctors today about her toe. He ended up giving her antibiotics to clear it up. He did confirm that she doesn't have an I growing toenail though so that's a relief, he thinks when she stubbed it, it somehow broke the skin and then all the nasty little germs that live on your skin got in. She has proper sweaty feet so that probably didn't help matters either. She's proper in the wars as her eczema has flared up again too and she has a little patch behind her knee which is annoying as it's within scratching reach! Hoping it doesn't go as big as the patch she had on her back 2 years ago. It was about 3 inches across. (Least it was in an unscratchable place though)

Tiny I've ordered that dress (running out of stuff to wear to work) as well as another one, and a very sweet sleep suit which I couldn't resist buying!

Love that we're all buying the dress! Tiny, consider yourself appointed thread style advisor.

You know children sweat about a teaspoon per day from their feet lauren82000!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news TheBooMonster! We had to write a policy on all the maternity leave stuff when I just started a treasurer as we'd never had any member of staff have a baby before. It was just over 2 years ago but I'm about to start doing it all again in March for another lady!

I bought this today in Sports Direct, I didn't even know they did maternity wear it fits so well I might order the other colours as I am bored of wearing the same few things.

www.sportsdirect.com/miss-fiori-maternity-long-sleeved-top-ladies-655000?colcode=65500026

I never would have thought of Sports Direct for maternity clothes - I was expecting a football shirt when I clicked the link! I'm still wearing lots of non-maternity tops while I still can - generally longer vest tops layered under loose lightweight jumpers etc. It makes things a bit less monotonous as I've only got 3 or 4 proper maternity tops.

Wow lots of chatting today has been good to read it all and de-stress from work. Boo thanks for the reply yesterday about maternity allowance - need to speak to manager about getting my MATB1 back if they say I don't qualify for SMP.
Siarie love your changing bag! Looks so sophisticated and versatile.

Hiding there are definitely some head life lotions that can safely be used on a 2 year old - sometimes chemists can only sell things for a certain age range so any problems your friend could ask for a prescription from the GP for something appropriate, I think Hedrin lotion can be safely used (Dimeticone) or Malathion lotion should also be ok. Your friend could check the leaflet on patient.co.uk about headlice treatment - it's a great source of reliable medical info!

Wine thanks - I would never have looked in sports direct either - I've been looking for something like that top as I have maternity leggings but need some more longer tops or my bum feels a little exposed!!

Another one here for disposable nappies - feel like I should make an effort for the reusable ones but not good at keeping on top of washing at the best of times. Have stocked up on a few different kinds of disposables to try but will see what happens when baby arrives!

Hi Penguin I've not kept up with the conversation but I've just noticed your last post about maternity leave. How far are you? I'm 25+1 and I handed my matb1 form in around 2/3 weeks ago. It was my first day back in today since the Christmas period so I asked if there was any update (as the form was sent to head office) and they haven't heard anything as yet. I think I hear from them by post, I'm not too sure. But I'm 99.9% sure I won't qualify for SMP as I think I've read you need to earn at least £111 per week but I don't as I only work part time. So I think it will be maternity allowance for me (of which I have no clue about). I booked a Citizens Advice appointment which is tomorrow which is to talk about benefits entitlement. I have no idea how benefits work and what I might be entitled to as I haven't been on them before. So will let you all know how it goes.

Also, you're not the only one who de-stresses by flicking through mumsnet after work! I find it very relaxing! X

Thanks RL
I'm 27+4 now so feeling a bit time pressured into getting things sorted - hoping to finish work (on annual leave initially) in 7 weeks time. Handed in my MATB1 about 4 weeks ago I think so hopefully won't take much longer. I'm assuming I won't get SMP as only worked for my current employer since August. But still qualify for my enhanced maternity pay from them due to continuous NHS service (all very complicated and not sure I really understand!) however I'm planning to take 9 months off and for the last few months the SMP/MA will be my only income, so need to ensure it is there! It's going to be tight as I'm normally the main earner even though DH also works full time, but I think extra time off with baby will be worth it.

It's all a total financial minefield of things that I don't really understand, will have to keep my fingers crossed that there's some money coming in each month!

Brixton, yes, the urine is to check protein levels for preeclampsyia and sugar levels for pregestational diabetes. As they check urine every appointment, I reckon that's a good enough chance of them catching it as it develops.

I know the feeling Penguin.
Everything is so confusing with the maternity pay/benefits etc.
I just want everything to be sorted now, it's the not knowing that I don't like!
Like you say, keeping fingers crossed that money comes in whilst not working.
This is why I booked the citizens advice appointment. I just need someone to sit down with me and tell me exactly what money I'll receive and how I have to apply for it!
I'm normally one to do things myself but with everything else going round in my mind (what to buy for baby, housing situation etc) I just feel like I need some help! X

I got growth scans too! Cos of the ileostomy of course potentially affect my nutrition. But I find it amusing I am having one monthly from the 22nd Jan when last time when I had my awful colon that was making me so ill they only did one extra! Now I am able to gain weight easier, am much healthier and not on many meds they are looking twice as often! Different dr... Still, I'm not complaining

Ooh, I'm also part of the growth scan party! 28, 32 and 36 weeks (if not more often) as DD was a lazy moo and stopped growing :P

Ebwy I was addicted to any fizzy sweet to stave off nausea! I love those lollies. Mmmm sour fizzy sweets. I have my 28wk appt this week so I shall check with the MW.