July 2015 - we are nearing the halfway point!

[Fattycow]

We are already nearing the halfway point! Some of us have already reached the 20 weeks, the rest will follow suit. Let the countdowns begin!

Here is the stats list, please update them with your scan dates and the sex of you baby (if you know it):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p3idkH2TaQYAy22I_N73k1_-G6Ezq67lAdhQvDjQkU0/edit?pli=1#gid=0

Re work. I currently work 16 hours I'll be taking my 9months maternity plus i have a months holidays in before hand. I feel at the moment in looking good for training to a promotion but because I'll be finishing soon I'll have to wait. I'm in mixed feelings because I never worked with Dc1&2 until 2 was 6yo but I'll have to go with dc3. I feel bad that I can't give him the time I did 1&2 but I'm excited for the chance of promotion when I go back.

purple no one guesses I am pregnant either. Don't worry about it, you will look plenty big later on! It sucks about you still being sick though, it made me feel very low, so no wonder you feel like you are struggling, i would say that is absolutely how you should feel if you are still getting nausea. Big hug!

Hmmm, I think you're right Nature and Muddy but my HR contact definitely said I could start paying in now ... Will ask again add maybe we were talking at cross purposes.

Had my 24 week mw appt today, at 23+3. I did get fundal measurement, unlike others have said, and am bang on average. Things seem very regional, don't they?

Thanks jmojo, I had nausea for the whole pregnancy last time as well so I kind of knew what to expect but this time I am seriously running out of foods to eat that aren't basically chocolate related which I am finding
really difficult. I am also so low on energy which I guess isn't surprising when I have a 17 month old this time and work is pretty stressful. Sorry for the moan. Maybe a change in weather will help!

Hi all, been following but not posting much as not much to say! But felt I should chip in about the current Childcare Vouchers scheme - I believe you can pay into them any time even before DC arrives. Another thing to consider is that when you are on SMP, your employer is obliged to continue providing these at the current level (on top of SMP), so free vouchers!

Should add - that's providing you have signed up to the scheme and started receiving vouchers before u go on mat leave.

Many hugs purple xxx

zampa, defo can't join a voucher scheme until baby has arrived (I used to work for the UK's biggest provider so confident in saying that!) As someone has already said, the scheme is changing soon though so might be worth reading up on that and having a discussion with someone else at work who - please forgive me for saying this - is a bit more clued up about the different schemes. Failing that, call your employer's current childcare voucher provider to discuss, they'd be happy to talk you through stuff xx

Thanks team! Going to call HR tomorrow to clarify on the vouchers and will report back.

Will also investigate the new scheme.

If they're in any doubt, zampa, have them call the voucher provider while you're there or offer to call them yourself. It worries me slightly that they've said you can claim already when I know you can't and I would hate for you to be in a pickle with payroll over it. (Hope that doesn't sound patronising or condescending, it's just that I worked in the industry for six years!) xx

Thanks for all your nice words ladies, it's really nice to have so much support

Workwise I'm self employed so will only get MA from the start, but was planning to go back a couple of days a week after 6 months just because I really love my job. I could work at the weekend so OH could look after the babba and my Mum said she'd help out with childcare for a day each week but I'm starting to think I might be being a bit naive about wanting to go back... I might love my job now but when little man appears maybe I won't feel quite so keen?! I'm conscious about losing out on career ops if I take too much time out though... You don't see a lot of women past a certain age in my industry (which sucks).

I've been feeling nackered today and yesterday (21+4), anyone else get tired around this time?

Have no doubt you're correct broody. I probably misinterpreted the information from my HR team. Think I'm better off on the new scheme anyway.

I'm tired all the time clstow but intermittently exhausted and headachey, which I think might tie in with lo's growth spurts.

And not remotely patronising broody! This is all Greek to me, so all knowledge shared is knowledge gained! Thank you.

Things work differently over here anyway, so to me it all is gobbledegook anyway!

clstow if I had a job I loved that I could do part time I would definitely go back to it! Or at least give it a bash & see how you feel. And I've spent most of the last 6+ years as a sahm.

I've felt tired this week... & grumpy! DH is doing a great job of being patient with my moodiness It would make sense of baby was having a bit of a growth spurt. I've also had indigestion on and off since the weekend which isn't nice

I work full time, I'm planning on taking 11 months off (including 2 months worth of annual leave) and then going back full time. I don't think they'd let me go back part time, so I'd have to find a new job to reduce my hours. I also really like my job and want my career to continue. Although I am ready to feel completely different once the baby is here and change my mind

Hi all I haven't been posting much as had a rough fortnight.

I'm very late(as always) but congrats to everyone whose had their 20 week scans...due to unforeseen circumstances I'm still yet to have my Anamoly scan...currently 21 weeks. All down to confusion between ucl and my local hospital as to where I'm supposed to have it...fingers crossed ill be going tomorrow so I think that makes me one of the last to have my scan!

On the plus side I can feel the twins kicking and moving about. One of them managed to push the ipad off my belly :) and twin Kicky just will not stay still at any of our appointments :)

As for work...interesting to see all the different situations. Under my contract I only get 4 months maternity leave. But with the twins potentially being in special care. I'm weighing up the possibility of handing in my notice before I go on maternity leave. Where that leaves me with maternity allowance. I'm not too sure....does any one know who exactly it would be, that I should contact? Jobcentre or maternity allowance specific number?

To the poster who said to me that a new job and upheaval is not ideal during pregnancy....I bow my head and say you were right!!

Hope you're all having a lovely week :)

purple poor you, mojo is right, being sick all the time is exhausting. Think you're allowed to moan

I also really like my job having found a new career relatively recently and not really looking forward to putting it on hold. I'm sure little one will be amazing and change my life but still. Not looking forward to juggling the baby and full time work with a long commute after maternity leave. No family or friends in the area to help.

Oh forgot to ask, is anyone else still suffering from horrible taste in the mouth? I've had it the entire pregnancy and really hate it!

lewaney are you in the UK? How long have you been in your job? I am no expert but as far as I know everyone is entitled to 52 weeks of unpaid leave, and the statuatory maternity package (SMP) is 39 weeks. There is a calculator here www.gov.uk/employers-maternity-pay-leave/entitlement

Eligibility for SMP is calculated on how long you have been in your job by a certain point in the pregnancy. Leaving your job at the end of your pregnancy won't affect your ability to get SMP. You can't claim SMP and Maternity Allowance, you are only eligible for one or the other.

(Hope I'm right with all the above!)

sorry haven't been around much, it's been hectic! DD turned 1! Found out we are having a boy! House hunting! Consultant appointments and hospital visits etc. Looks like I won't getting my vbac like I'd hoped I am too bigh risk so baby will be arriving my ELCS on the 16-18th July. We've picked a name, Sandy (Alexander) and started buying little blue outfits and some cloth nappies. I'm off to catch up, hope you are all doing well!

Thank you Broody and Small I'm sure that things will improve at some point.

Hugs to anybody else having a tough time.

Small i still get yhe taste although it is better than it was. I still get episodes of too much spit too which I hate!

I don't get a funny taste, but my gums are bleeding at least twice a day

Hi all! Work n keeping up with the thread got too much.

Hope you're all well.

We are having a boy too.