November 2015 ladies! Time to feel the glow!

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Are you expecting a babe in November this year? If so, get ready to get glowing. Breaking out in spots, or tears, or both is part of the so called glow. Feeling sick, contemplating births and having the odd good day of eating well is also all glow.

Come on then. Wee in the corner to mark your spot. Have some or or . Then glow.

Oh right, no we don't have a bumper bar, interested to know what they're for. They're strapped in anyway so I'm assuming they're not for anything like that. Hanging toys off maybe? Clueless 2nd time mum here

I took the bumper bar off our Phil and teds as it makes it easier to get them in and never bothered to put it back on again!

Re. tiny cars- I've got a beetle and the boot is tiny and weird shaped but my graco travel system fits (just!) and is suitable from newborn to walking as the car seat pops on top.

If you've got a 3 door car, I wouldn't bother getting an isofix base. I find it easiest to climb in the back so I'm stood fastening the seatbelt from above, with an isofix you have to reach behind the car seat to unhook it and with a three door the angle is very awkward. The isofix in our 5 door however is a lifesaver!

Abbeyroad I spoke to work a couple of weeks ago as I have to give 8 weeks notice before returning. My return date is 30th July (I only get SMP so that's when my paid leave would end) then taking my 6 weeks of hol and going on maternity on September when I'm about 30 weeks. I was going to take some unpaid mat leave so my second leave would last longer but it interfered with the calculation period for SMP so I wouldn't get very much- just something to bear in mind if you're on SMP. The online calculator was really helpful and gave me something to work my dates around.

Thanks annatha that's pretty much the same as I did so I have no unpaid bit, and I had 50 days or so holiday left over as I couldn't take it last year. I'm hoping my qualifying weeks work out as my dates got moved forward at the scan and I'd used my original due date to calculate but should be ok I think

For those with older children, it is worth knowing that when you are being paid SMP only, you are still entitled to childcare vouchers if you already get them. These are paid not as a deduction from your salary, but as an additional payment direct from your employer into your scheme.

Re cars and prams - I have a 7 year old silver cross (can't remember it's name). I had to drop half the back seat to get it in but I loved my pram!

abbeyroad they were fine. I took the full year maternity leave the first time then the date I was due to go back was actually my due date with ds! The manager was a bit shocked and said he'd never known it before but there isn't anything they can do about it.

I know theyll officially have to be fine about it but I'm still not looking forward to the conversation. One day I'll become confident like a proper grown up!

That's interesting about the childcare vouchers. Do you need to do anything to make sure you still get them? Or just not tell them to stop?

And what happens if I stop getting SMP (if I take a full year as I hope to) - do they still get paid then?

I think so. I don't think you need to do anything although it's worth talking to HR and it.

Ooooh I'm liking this childcare voucher news! Should I just not mention it or is it definitely happening and I can safely make enquiries?

As for combining two maternity leaves - hang. On. A. Minute. You mean you got pregnant again when your babies were 12 or so weeks?!?! Immaculate conception of course, right? There's NO way I'd have let dh anywhere near me this early. I take my hat off to you!

In just going to email my hr once I've given them my matb1 saying 'Just to confirm that you will continue to pay my £243 directly to my childcare voucher scheme. I understand that this is an additional payment rather than a deduction once on SMP as it states here: www.gov.uk/statutory-maternity-pay-employee-circumstances-that-affect-payment#salary-sacrifice. I assume they are already well aware because I work for an enormous institution but I want to be sure.
Once I'm on SMP, dd will be 3 and get some free hours. If they increase the free hours enough to completely cover her (25 hours a week), I can continue to claim the childcare voucher which can be 'banked' for a few months until I gp back to work and then go towards the babies' childcare costs.

DS was 5 months when I got pregnant again, so much for the consultant saying we probably couldn't have any more! We were hopeful though, but pleasantly surprised.

So if I join the childcare vouchers now they'll continue to pay when on mat leave? That's good to know, although I have no idea what we'll be doing for childcare yet. Does most places take the vouchers?

I don't know how it works if you don't already have childcare in place. Worth checking though!

Bumper bars = annoying and just get in the way when getting baby in and out. Ours has never been used!

Spent a bit of time this weekend looking at buggies etc and got a bit cross and baffled at the variety and all the different names and types and stuff... If I'm mostly zooming around town on foot, and then in and out of buses and trains, is something light and small like the Babyzen Yoyo the answer?

Honestly, I'm rubbish at shopping, I haven't got the stamina to figure it all out....

frescoed yes I think so. I ended up using an umbrella fold as soon as poss with DS as I was using the bus every day.

Morning ladies! I don't feel too good today! I'm shattered all of a sudden and just took a funny turn on the train to work. Not sure if it's because I need to eat something or not?! Really don't feel myself....bit worried!

Crying, I feel rough as well. Bad back, crampy, sicky and headachy. Make sure you have something to eat asap! I feel marginally better after some toast and milk. Hope you feel better soon ??

Oh no crying hope you're ok. Eat something! I am feeling really sick and dizzy today. Just waiting to go in to MW appointment so will mention it. Not a good start to my working week hmph!

Oh dear sorry to all those feeling rough. I woke up and was sick, after two days with no sickness I was hoping it might be over! Off to my midwife/consultant appointment this morning with a list of questions as long as my arm

Sort of glad to hear I'm not the only one! I'm sitting having a cup of tea with sugar at work and feeling a bit better. Got a breakfast bar to eat too! I text my OH to say I wasn't feeling great and I don't know if it's just me or not but I feel his reply was really harsh......"Go home then! I'm sure your allowed a sick day!"

Is it just me and my hormones or was it harsh? Lol.

Sort of glad to hear I'm not the only one! I'm sitting having a cup of tea with sugar at work and feeling a bit better. Got a breakfast bar to eat too! I text my OH to say I wasn't feeling great and I don't know if it's just me or not but I feel his reply was really harsh......"Go home then! I'm sure your allowed a sick day!"

Is it just me and my hormones or was it harsh? Lol.

crying, not too harsh, sounds like male sympathy - all you want is a 'sorry to hear you're not feeling well, look after yourself', and he's gone for the practical solution option instead!