July 2016 (6)

[Cheery1]

Hello ladies - here we are on number 6! Let the chat continue! x

Another obsessed cat! This one is my OHs parents cat, and he wont leave me alone! Im sort of curled up so hes laid on my side

Photographer I'm sorry to read that you are having a hard time at work. I fear I'll encounter the same challenges so I still haven't told work about my pregnancy despite being 18 weeks pregnant. My stomach is getting more difficult to hide but I fear that I'll not be treated in an unfair way.

Anyone else who still haven't told their work about their pregnancy? Or is there anyone who can share experiences with salary negotiations etc. after having told about pregnancy?

Scandavaian mom - i was on supply at a school til christmas and after the head found out i was pregnant she offered me a contract til the end of the year (knowing id be leaving before the end of term for baby). Depends on your boss..

A bit of a crappy day for me-went to the hospital after speaking to midwife about peeing all the time plus the pains I've been having every time I wee. Gave a urine sample and confirmed I have a uti - never had one before but explains why I feel so sore after peeing and also why I pee so so much! Apparently it's very common in pregnancy and they've given me antibiotics to treat it. So if anyone has similar symptoms suggest getting it checked out before it gets worse. Also whilst all this was happening had to deal with shitty emails from work even though I had taken day off sick.

Trying to remain positive so I guess the best thing out of this crappy day was getting to hear baby's heartbeat again :-)

Great idea bluebell will do mine every time I read all your messages :-)

Elizardo no help on prams I'm afraid as I'm at lose myself!! Have you tried posting on the pram threads on here? Or website MadeforMums do good reviews

IndiansInTheLobby we've got our on the icandy too but quite like the uppababy so not sure what we'll choose

BeauticianNotMagician81 we're planning a trip to the cinema after our scan on Friday too!

Thom80 I started pregnancy yoga on the weekend at 19 weeks most of the women were 18, 19 or 20 weeks there but our yoga teacher recommended to start from 15 weeks.

MrsSJP I'm trying to spend as little as possible on maternity clothes as they are just awful lol. New Look, ASOS & H&M are so far my favourites.

pulpi no odd comments from boss yet, I'm sure I'll get them once I tell her next week...

Loving all the bump pics! Will post mine when I'm feeling more up to it. Hope everyone is feeling ok :-)

I am nervous about the yoga, as don't want to risk anything, I will be one day off 17 weeks. I will go but might not partake in everything if I don't feel comfortable. In two minds about whether to wait longer before starting....

Thom I've been to a pregnancy yoga class (at about 13 weeks) and it was absolutely fine - you can do as much or as little as you like, plus it's designed especially so should be fine anyway.

Welcome back Kaytee!

Don't forget to do your pelvic muscle exercises, ladies!

I'm heading home for a takeaway curry For Valentine's Day DH gave me a 12,000-word dissertation to proof-read and he finally submitted it today (day of the deadline...) so we're celebrating with some nice unhealthy food and a good long night's sleep

Have a lovely evening all!

Cookies, thanks, I'll look into the Caboo. Btw sorry to hear about your Lindt-related catastrophe! I'm thinking of setting up a new thread called "I'm pregnant and today I cried because..." - you and Mini should join me!

Cookies as far as exercising goes, I've really been enjoying the cross trainer as it feels so much gentler on the body than the treadmill. I also have taken the level I use it at down a couple of notches this week! It was time!

goingloopy really sorry you are having a hard time. I also have a long history of anxiety which has just started creeping back in the last few days. I've been very weepy because I am so scared I will get back to all-consuming obsessive anxiety again... Although I have found that trying to clear my mind of anything other than the baby has been very helpful and calming. He is a pretty positive thing to focus on!

photographer is it legal for your work to do that?

I've been watching my tummy moving this evening. Just little jumps and twitches. It is a lovely experience. And very therapeutic!

We are thinking about moving at the moment and unfortunately DH has just noticed how cheap places are in South Wales. I am desperate not to move further away from friends than I already am, but I can't seem to make him understand. Not really helping with the anxiety!

21 + 0

Lovely bump photos, catching up after hectic few days! My bump is still mostly made of pasta and chips I think! But is starting to really show my work trousers are no longer comfortable. Not sure they will have maternity trousers on offer so may have to purchase some black trousers this

Scandavaian mom I have had good experience with pay rise, my promotion is going through HR and so I will go off on a higher grade and a different (actually what I already do but now getting paid for it) job. Also means more chance of them replacing me with a more realistic salary to workload/responsibility ratio! Depends on your boss/organisation I work in the public sector so they are very risk averse and would prob worry about employment law issues if they said anything slightly dodgy.

My scan date has come through and is a bit later than I thought it would be, getting a bit impatient now! Going to book private scan for after but taking lots of restraint to not book two

Mrsrolly Thanks for sharing your experience - good to hear that you have been treated fair. I'll try to hide my big belly for a little longer until things hopefully will be settled soon at work. Have I understood correctly that I am only legally obliged to tell my employer about pregnancy 3 months before my due date?
Go' for a private scan if you are impatient - there is nothing better than seeing the little one moving

Julfin, the main differencees between wraps and slings ect (without writing essays) is a wrap is like a really strong scarf (but purpose weaved) which you literally wrap around you and the baby. There are loads of different ways of wrapping for back and front carry. A stretchy is just that a stretchy carrier that has no buckles or rigid structure. It is perfect for newborns. Check out close caboo to see what I mean.

A sling covers most styles of carrier from ring sling to wraps to mai tei.

Here is a quick summary of some of the choices:

Wrap –these are either cotton or blended with wool or bamboo. Used for traditional wrapping and can be used from birth.

Ring sling – like a wrap but with rings sewn into the end to feed the other end through (tail) and these usually sit across the body. I use mine for quick ups and downs when out and about although Oli is a bit of a lump now!

Mei Tie and Pods – these are more structured – a panel with straps to tie around the waist and body.

Half buckle and reverse half buckle – these either have buckled straps and tie waist or tie waist and buckled straps.

Full buckle - buckles waist and straps. (Ergo baby, manduca, Connecta). These usually have an insert for newborns.

Hope that helps

I am quite determined to enjoy as much of this pg as possible which is why I told the midwife I can feel that cloud of anxiety following me and I don't want it to catch up. I am already starting to feel better now I have a bump and the first tri stuff is becoming a memory. It really helps that not only my friends are pleased but my colleagues are too. That makes a massive difference to where I was when I was pg with DS. Plus DS keeps coming out with the sweetest thing and says good morning baby every morning, often before acknowledging me!

I have just got into bed after a manic day. I organised an event for work and I put a lot of effort into it and haven't stopped since. I just had to share how very comfortable my bed is and how much it just cuddled me back like the big horlicks chair.

By the way, there is a law preventing employers discriminating against preggers. So check your HR policies to see what the company has in place to protect you. I have asked for a few more hours, but I don't think they would have them available yet even if I wasn't preggo. Plus they know I am only planning 6/7 months away.

scandi you have to tell your employers at least 15 weeks before your due date in order to get your maternity pay sorted

Allthegoodnames Thanks for specifying the rules for me!

Goingloopy and others - many thanks for your wearing/buggy/traveling recommendations..I think I'm going to use the tank (Uppababy Vista system for two) for now until I'm forced to get additional lightweight gear. I just have no idea how it's going to work out so don't want to spend a lot of £ in advance. Woohoo, living on the edge!

Thom - hope you at least try a yoga session, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised at how gentle it is. I missed mine last week and really missed it so definitely going tomorrow.

Kaytee - Welcome Back, glad all well. As Culture says, massive range of weight gain during preg. And ignore the infantilizers.

Mascara - sorry to hear about your day and the eggs! I left all four windows down in my car yesterday, until a neighbour pointed it out. On the coldest day of the year? I don't even remember opening one window, let alone all four .

And Jem - made for mums is REALLY good website, thanks for the rec. How you finding Lewisham Hospital so far by the way?

Morning all!

Kaytee I've not gained anything either. I was slightly worried but I'm eating so I guess it's all ok. My last pregnancy I couldn't stop eating now I get full very quickly. I'll prob pack it on in the summer with ice creams lol!

Be careful of employers you have a lot of rights so make sure you know them. To be fair I think some are clueless, mine was! Look at the gov website and also maternity action if you're unsure. They can't ask you when you intend to come back and they can't hold off pay rises etc either. Don't forget you accrue holiday/bank holidays when you're off too. You can also use KIT days and still get mat pay so something to bear in mind.

We've had a busy few days. Reserved our new house Sunday afternoon and had sold out house for full asking price in less than 24 hours... Crazy. Plus side is I don't have to keep the house immaculate with DD. Down size need to start organising our stuff as don't just want to move loads of stuff if we don't use it. Hoping to move end of May so going to use a packing service as I'll be quite pregnant! Anyone used one before? Is it good?

I'm def getting a sling this time. I need to start having a look at them at some point, it's a minefield!

I hope everyone is ok today. Halfway through the week!

Elizardo - did you say you had the 2015 or earlier model of the uppababy. I have the earlier version with the limitation with the rumble seat. But I have been told on more than one occasion to consider upgrading to the 2015 model. We will see how get on as we are. I have learnt to like not having to lug a pushchair around. I have a granny shopping trolley for big days out! But that is with just one small one atm!

I said Id take a "Bumpie" yesterday, I did but then my phone died.. So this was yesterday at 19 weeks exactly bit bloated as I had just dinner but yeahh

Scase my dog has been absolutely obsessed with me during this pregnancy. He doesn't even want my husband sitting next to me.

Jem it's lovely hearing heartbeat isn't it :) I pee constantly too it's really becoming frustrating, I couldn't even make it through church on Sunday without nipping out. I'm getting no pain or anything though so assuming that baby is on my bladder.

Goingloopy I'm interested in 'baby wearing' so your post was really helpful as I don't have a clue.

The only thing we've bought so far is the cosatto giggle 2 pram. It adjusts to a pushchair for later, carry cot, cosy toes, changing bag and car seat. My husband really liked it so I just agreed straight away and I think he was quite pleased as I can be quite pernickety but im trying my hardest to get him to make decisions re baby stuff as he doesn't get to feel the baby move or feed it for some time after birth.

I've tried to upload my 12 week scan pic and bump pic but it's saying they're the wrong size :(

17+4

Lovely bump scase I must get round to taking one.
Feeling pretty crap at the min, day 3 of headache so taking some time off work, haven't slept properly in days. Just keep reminding myself it's all worth it

Hi kaytee - lovely to hear from you and that all is well

Primary - glad I'm not the only one not feeling much, would love to feel more but will try not to worry.

Thanks for all info on slings and so on goingloopy - that is so helpful. We're holding off buying anything until 20 week scan (next Tuesday, eek), just because I'm a cautious beastie, but great to have lots of info as a first timer and worrier. Glad you're trying to enjoy the pregnancy, I think it is hard when there is so much information and you're prone to anxiety but we must try!

Scandi - I'm just 'out' at work and I'm worried that it's going to affect what I'm offered….great that there's legislation but I'm freelance in a super competitive industry so I can't see anyone actually suing employers over discrimination as we all want to carry on working. Hardly people power I know, but that is how it is. Hope your work behaves itself!

Lovely bumps all - what a gorgeous bunch of preggos we are . I don't have a mirror that I can take one in…note to self must buy a full length mirror. Might ask DH to assist.

Great news on house Anna! My cousin used packers and they were great - with a bit of guidance so you know where everything's going.

Hope you're feeling better now Jem - UTIs are horrid and make you feel really low, they do disappear pretty quickly with antibiotics though, so you shouldn't be suffering for long.

In other news DH has taken the whole of the cake I baked yesterday to work leaving me with none!!!! I was so irrationally furious that I phoned him at work to rant. Think we've learnt an important lesson that you DO NOT TAKE CAKE FROM A PREGNANT LADY!!

Happy Wednesday ladies xx

anna thats great news about your house!

cheery im gutted too especially after the tragedy with my daughter but trying not to get too down about it. My friend had her baby in october and she had an anterior placenta, she didnt feel much movement throughout her pregnancy but has a very healthy boy.