Jan 2016 #6 ....bumps and blooming ahoy!

[brickiemum2]

New thread

Honestly you should get some advice either from your HR department or ACAS. I'm a manager in a big organisation and we cannot include maternity related sickness. Its good they're beige supportive with working from home but what your manager said makes me uneasy!

*being

Thanks melon, I'll look into it - in our organisation we don't have direct access to HR, though, it all goes through our managers. I did give my official notification to my manager at the end of last week so perhaps things will be made clearer once HR process the fact I'm pregnant? I've been quite confused by the whole thing, to be honest, and the stress of trying not to be ill doesn't seem to help with the reality of being ill

Definitely look into it don't run yourself into the ground if you don't have to!

Just checked and this is what it says in the policy:

"If an employee is absent from work during pregnancy owing to sickness, she will receive her normal sick pay entitlement, provided she has not yet begun OML."

So it looks like pregnancy-related sick leave is all just part and parcel of the normal entitlement, which doesn't look too good for me! Although hopefully when I reach a year's service in a couple of weeks' time my sick leave entitlement will go up...

Ah, but the maternity action website says employers have to record pregnancy-related sickness differently so it doesn't count towards any kind of disciplinary etc - so pay aside (which I'm not too worried about) it seems I don't need to worry about getting a warning should I take time off sick. I'll definitely pick that up with my manager!

Thanks melon

B&W I bought a changing unit from eBay for £12 but I don't think we'll use it this time as there's not enough room in DD's room. We're planning on velcroing a changing mat on top of the drawers. It does fit- I've already checked! We change dd on the floor these days but not sure I'd want to get down on the floor with dc2 straight after the birth.

I haven't bought anything and don't intend to until December, I reckon. If you buy too early, your warranties will be nearly over by the time you first use it! My advice re pushchairs is to check they're the right height for you. I'm pretty little (5'1) and loads of them are too hard for me to get up kerbs etc. Also check a pushchair is easy to collapse and put up as it's no fun in the rain with a screaming newborn! Other thing is basket size. I have the Oyster and the basket is annoyingly small. But I'm reticent about buying another as I do still like it and it cost £££!

Hi everyone,

I've been dipping in and out but not posting much. Welcome to newcomers!

Blackandwhitecat I didn't buy a special chest of drawers with changing table. I used a sturdy of chest of drawers with a good thick mat from JL on top. Still going strong.

I had my scan last week and baby measuring 3 days ahead. Annoying as I am certain of my dates and I want to avoid induction this time! DD born at 42+3 so I feel like every day counts!

I'm still feeling really nauseous this time. Such a drag compared to prev preg. Total sympathies to those being sick all the time.

Thanks Juniper.

Rollermum did you stick the mat to the top of the chest of drawers somehow? This is what I was thinking of doing but I'm not sure how safe that is?

Lily read this thread scroll down to "Sickness during pregnancy".

Anyone else just totally addicted to carbs at the moment?

Sorry "website" not "thread"

Afternoon everyone - My one day off this week and I've spent it at the doctors and then a&e with my youngest. He's ok but has got a slightly swollen testicle which the doctor was concerned about. I seem to be spending all my time up there and we're back again tomorrow.

I haven't even thought about nurseries yet. I think I need to look into loft conversions first as we just haven't got any more space. A 3 bedroom house with 4 children is a squeeze. Anybody have any idea how long a loft conversion from beginning to end takes? My OH says we'll do it after the baby is born but I don't want to even contemplate that!

B&W we never did the whole drawers and changing top thing. I got given a unit but never used it for changing. I just had 2 cheap and cheerful mats - one upstairs and one down - and used those. There's so much stuff you can buy and never use. I'm determined to do more tummy time with this one so want a nice play mat. My youngest son has still got a flat head from spending too much time on his back!

Good luck with everybody's latest lot of scans. I'm feeling a bit panicky that I won't have another one for another 6 weeks now but know I need to relax.

Thanks b&w, that's really useful!

nicnic I hope your son is ok. Sounds painful.

B&W no I didn't stick it down. It is the wedge shape one to help stop rolling: m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-wedge-changing-mat-white/p230497033#page_loaded sorry am on phone so can't do link properly. It is also touching fur you're on one side so not been an issue with slipping. And I'm always standing right there anyway.

I was wondering if you ladies can help me. I posted a few hours ago saying I wasn't well :( anyway I've been coughing and sneezing that much I've pulled all the muscles around my bump.

Can anyone help with what I can do to relieve the pain.

nicnic if you're serious about a loft conversion I would get cracking now.

You need to think about possible structural work, electrics, heating, decorating, flooring. None of these jobs takes weeks in of themselves, but making sure the contractors are available when you need them is the fun part. The main delay will be caused by availability of contractors (should you be using them) and building regs.

Most loft conversions do require building regs approval, since it's a change of use, and often new structures such as windows/doorways are involved. Also the change of use means there will be more stringent requirements on things like fire exits. Building regs are not the same scary thing as planning permission. It's not a decision in advance, it is a check during and upon completion of the work, that the the work has been done to a minimum standard. If they aren't happy with what they see, you will have to do it again! Most reputable builders will submit building regs on your behalf, and if they don't understand them DON'T USE THEM!

It is entirely possible to do all the work yourself, apply directly to the council with building regs and get it all passed off, but you need to be sure what you're doing is correct. And the regs get updated regularly, so check them even if you think you know.

I have done a lot of building work, can you tell?

nicnic hope your son is ok. sleepy well done on the 5k
We did the two mats - one upstairs one downstairs and never bothered with a changing unit.
Another tip my midwife told me right at the start of pregnancy was buy a cheap plastic jug to pee in as you will never get it in the sample pots by the end. I sentimentally kept the jug and used it when I got my bfp so it will definitely be used again this time round.

Oh tiny poor you!

I don't have any clever advice being a first timer myself, but I didn't want you ignored when you're feeling rotten. I'd suggest a nice, deep, warm bath?

Bath would be lovely right now but OH is at work and my MIL is at home too (staying at his) so if anything bad happens, like me going light headed or weak like I have been I got no one to help me. Having the MIL help is the last thing I want haha.

tiny also a first timer here so no expert advice but if a bath is out of the question could you try a (warm) hot water bottle and alternate with something cold, as you would a muscle strain / bad back?

Hope you feel better soon!

Sorry you are hurting tiny not sure what to suggest either apart from a bath. Hope it eases soon.

I'm thinking of putting the hot water bottle on me.

I know you'd meant to share everything with your OH but I wish he never shared this cold haha

Kind of excited today!! Just got dressed (had a lazy day) and although I'm still in my normal jeans (just) I LOOK pregnant!!!

Thanks Edgar you sound like the person to go to for loft conversion info! I think the problem will be finding the contractors that actually want/need the work down here. My OH suggested we wait until after the baby is born and I move into my DM's house for a few months while the work is being done. I laughed hysterically!! Me, 3 boys and a baby in my DM's bungalow is so not going to happen.

Tiny that sounds painful. No more advice really than a wrapped up hot water bottle.

Hope you feel better soon tiny

Whoever asked about changing units - we never had one. I used to put a changing mat on the bed (while baby was sleeping in the same room) or floor, and once thy were older and rolled I much prefered the mat being on the floor then if you forget something or have to leave the baby for a second you can without worrying.

lily hope you get the time off you need.

It's horrible isn't it Tiny. I went to see Ed Sheeran last night at Wembley. Had a great time but boy am I paying for it today. I drove to the o2 and parked, got the tube to Wembley, so 45 minutes on the way there which was fine as it wasn't too bad and loads of seats. I spent most of the concert on my feet dancing, which was a mistake because I ache so bad today. Coming home on the tube from Wembley (another 45 minutes) was a nightmre as expected. Busy, hot and no seats. I actually felt fine on the way home because my SIL kept saying she'd ask someone to move, but I honestly didn't feel like I needed to sit down. I've woken up this morning and i've pulled some of the muscles in/around the bump I think. Probably from holding the bar above my head because i'm so short.

I've taken some paracetamol and i've got a warm hot water bottle, I didn't want to do it too hot. Just annoyed with myself because my SIL kept telling me to take it easy, sit down etc. she's had 4 kids, she should know. But I wouldn't listen.

We're back up in London this weekend for DH's 30th Birthday. A pub crawl with 12 friends, that'll be fun for me!