July 2016 (5)

[gnat99]

Right, this is my second attempt to start a new thread for us. Let the chat begin!

Haven't had my nails or hair done since I got pregnant, feeling braver now (sounds ridiculous I know)! I'll be 18 weeks when we go so I may treat myself to some treatments.

Scase my bump is very similar to yours. It's low and starts from my belly button down, not fully 'rounded', I'm so convinced it's a boy.

Scase, Cookies means that you should be entitled to a break every four hours. Although I'm not sure that that applies to all workplaces - this gov.uk page tells you more: www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/overview - the key point on the page is that you are entitled to a 20 minute rest break if you are working more than 6 hours in one day. It has to be taken "somewhere in the middle of the day", i.e. if you are working an 8 hour shift, it should be around the 4 hour mark, NOT around the 6 hour mark.

All this talk about food makes me hunnnngry! My husband told me today that if he were pregnant, he would use it as an excuse to eat sticky beef all the time. I've not really been indulging in anything much - but that said, I did buy some Green & Black's butterscotch chocolate earlier. Yummm. I am mostly using pregnancy as an excuse to relax and read a lot.

Managed another gym session today (my second in three days!!!), but really noticed my bump in the mirror when my T-shirt rode up during stretches - eep! I had better sort myself out with some longer T-shirts!

For whoever was talking about lower back pain, I've been having this as well, and I have found some gentle stretching, regularly, really helps. I found a pregnancy pilates video on YouTube which I followed to give me ideas of what I can do safely.

18 + 6

Thanks everyone for the tips I will definitely invest in a pillow. Bluebell, thank you I'll have a look on YouTube and try that. My long walk tonight has really helped so I think keeping active is definitely key. Ashamed to say I've been quite lazy but determined to do more exercise now.

I am 20 weeks today. Officially half way through this pregnancy. Getting nervous for the anomaly scan on Friday. Hoping all will be ok. Time is flying for me. Much quicker than with my first pregnancy. I guess I'll need to start looking through the things I kept from DD and make a list of anything else we might need. Hope everyone as a lovely day.

Wow Becks - 20 weeks! The midwife at my 16 wk said that after the 20 week scan is when most women can really start to relax. I think I'll be super nervous before mine, seems like an age away, as I'm sure Friday does to you at the moment! Really hope all goes well, be lovely to see your little one soon.

Hi cheery with DD we didn't buy anything until after the 20 week scan, I wanted to make sure everything was ok first. We held off on a lot of things because she was due in January so we waited for the xmas sales too. Wishing Friday would hurry up as all the worries are starting to creep in even though we were low risk from the 1st trimester screening. Hoping we have a different sonographer too as the last lady was a bit horrible/ abrupt!

Thankyou Bluebell

I have downloaded a cool app which shows you how big the baby is in different themes.. I have chosen fun and games so heres mine at 17 weeks today :) seeing it like that makes the baby seem so big already!

Hope you get a friendly sonographer too Becks! We had a really grumpy woman at our private dating scan pre-xmas (she was also really late even turning up!) and then a lovely guy for NHS 12 week scan. 20 week is much more detailed isn't it so you'll definitely get more time. Anyway, hope it all goes well .

Aw scase that looks ace!

Afternoon everyone!

You're all so ahead of me. I'm only 14+4 but in very likely to have an ELCS so baby will come in July

Scase lovely bump. Did you sort your shifts? I think they're taking the mick. Employers have to be very careful with pregnant workers and there are laws in place to protect you! Also nothing wrong with working at McDonald's!

I can't remember who was asking about pump but I have the medela swing too. Loved it. Medela also do a great manual pump which is handy for those rare trips away from baby!

My morning sickness is back I'm hoping it doesn't last long.

Jealous of all the 20 week scans coming up. I think we're going to have another surprise. Is anyone else? X

scase that looks awesome what app is it?

I did speak to my manager, they cant do anything about next weeks shifts as theyve already been posted (5:30am starts and 6am starts D:) but Ive said nothing longer than 8 hours, may even have to shorten that especially after today.. I done a 9 1/2 hour shift today.. 2 hours after I started I was put on my break and that was it for the rest of the day, I tried to refuse but I had to take it :(

Also the app is called Ovia! I love it! You can choose different themes, if it was the animal theme it would be as big as a chipmunk :)

And thank you! Loving that my bump is coming along nicely :D

Oh Scase I'm sure it can't be right that they make you take your break that early into such a long shift :/ Really, really glad that you have spoken to your manager now though - perhaps after next week it will get better.

I've got the Ovia app too! I really like it, although I do find the size comparisons a bit confusing - I'm sure some of the things on the later weeks are smaller than the earlier ones!

Good luck for Friday, becks. Mine's a week on Thurs.

Well having felt diddly squat until yesterday, I am now making up for lost time as the baby has been having a party in my pelvis all day today. It moved so much and so suddenly when I was on the train home this evening that I actually jumped in my seat! (And I just felt it move while I was typing that.) It does not feel fluttery at all. It feels like something jumping under my skin!

I don't know how I'm going to concentrate on anything ever with it moving around. I am going to be so, so boring to all my friends once I'm a mum...

19 + 0!

Wow bluebell that's amazing!!! How wonderful to feel such a lot of movement

Scase - I agree with bluebell that doesn't seem right that you had a break so early. I know it's hard but I reckon your manager could make a bit more effort organising your breaks. Not ok to be on your feet that long - 15 mins per 4 hours is legal minimum I think x

Those of you with the H&M over bump skinnies. Did you have to buy a bigger size? I've got some DP ones but there too big really and last time I wore them much nearer the end. I'm so fed up with them falling down and my others too tight. Any other recommendations? Also any good maternity leggings or tights out there? I'm off shopping tomorrow.

Primark 40 denier mat tights dont ladder or (mostly) fall down and are £5 for 2 pairs!

I brought the mothercare mat leggings too ( 2 for £15) and theyre good too.

Thanks Primary I'll check those out tomorrow.

Cheer yep I'm thrilled, as I had steeled myself to the possibility of not feeling anything until about 23 weeks!

becks I bought H&M over the bump skinnies in an 8 today, which is my normal size, and they fit absolutely fine and dandy (i.e. I bloody love them). The only thing is that my ass has definitely grown (I got so cross with DH on Christmas Eve when he pointed that out, but now I have to admit it is true!) and although it's apparently still a size 8 ass because it fits the jeans fine, my panty line is very visible indeed, so I do need to sort out some knickers that don't - ahem - cut into my buttocks.

So. Any recommendations on knickers, anyone?!

Bluebell thanks. I'm having the same issue. I didn't need to buy new pants last pregnancy!!! Think I might just get some non vpl ones in a bigger size

Hi all. Afraid I've turned into a bit of a lurker but alls well here apart from getting queasy again the last few nights wine gums and icy water helps a bit. Getting loads of movement now too like proper wiggles from baby and dh managed to feel some too.

I bought some H&M jeggings last sat in my usual size 10. They fit fine but I do have to keep hitching them up. I bought Dorothy Perkins mat leggings last time which were perfect so still got those.

Re pants, I go for the shorts type low rise ones to avoid pant lines and they go under bump quite well (but I wear long tops to hide the arse).

Hope everyone's doing well. Going demented again waiting for the next scan but only another 10 sleeps. Going to take DD with us to let her be involved and she'll be over the moon with a sister so hoping to find out. I may not tell tho

Scase your break times sound wrong for anyone, preggers or not. Shame on McDonalds! I prefer burger king 😉😁

Oh and I'm 19+1 today!

Haven't been too chatty lately, but I have been keeping up with you ladies! Feeling pretty shattered, but I've taken a leave day for a little midweek break (also to let some workmen into the house). Also gives me a chance to kick this cold that's been going around. And catch up on knitting.

I think I may have possibly felt a few flutters this morning, lying in bed. Of course, it could very well be my imagination. Or wind. But this did feel different than wind flutters. Still, as this is my first I think it's pretty unlikely I'll feel anything until I'm further along. Right?

Am 15+6 today.

Aargh Scase I feel your pain. I've no lunch break booked in for me today & she's booked clients back to back. In fact she doesn't even give me enough time to do them. Two full body massages booked that take an hour so she's booked an hour. Erm what about consultation time & undressing/dressing. Not sure how much longer I can keep this up.

Baby is moving loads. Lots of wriggles & kicks.

17+5

beautican that's really stressful and you don't want your clients feeling rushed either. Grr. Can you say something? it doesn't sound like you're having a great time at work.
scase I would still argue your breaks! In my first pregnancy I was really taken for a ride and being young and not very confident (not saying this is a patronising way in any way of saying that's the case ) but it made me feel so rubbish and I suffered a lot that I've spoken up in subsequent ones. I really don't agree that you are expected to go 7ish hours without a break to- sit, drink, eat or loo or anything. I'm guessing when you are busy you can't even take a breather. If you aren't happy with your managers decision at any point is there an area manager you are able to air your concerns with?
Hello pulpi and mini . Thought of you the other day with my third bag of Mini Eggs of the week
Also having pants issues bluebel . I bought some higher up ones (to stop cutting into my growing 'side fat' ) in a bigger size from M&S. Open to any reccomendations- he comfier /grannyish the better
becks I think It was you who asked after H&M jeans?? I'm usually a 12 but thought the H&M ones would come up small (I usually find their bottoms small on me- bum problems mainly) so I bought a size 14. Big mistake. They're huge and baggy. And I have gained 'extra' weight and they're still too big. I bought some Topshop maternity leggings for about £12. I preferred the fit to H&M ones I think. And they were generous in size (lots of belly growth room too) 20 weeks eek!

I think cold #4 of this pregnancy is developing this week. Snotty/sneezy and sore throat every day. Peed off is an understatement. Minus the extra crisps and mini eggs i'm keeping healthy-seems unfair my immune system is so crap
18+2

beautician and scase both your employers are breaking employment law with the lack of breaks. It makes me very angry on your behalf!

Scase I think in your situation I would document each time that this happens, where you are made to take your break too early. Then as Cookies has said, I would take this to the next level up manager from your direct manager. A large organisation like the one you work for should be well aware of employment law and wouldn't want the bad publicity of losing an employment tribunal or whatever.

Beautician, it must be very tricky for you as you're just dealing with this one woman. I might print out the relevant info from the .gov website and ask for a meeting with her. Surely if she realises she's breaking the low and that you might take it further, she would just make more sensible bookings?!