December 2016 babies... 2nd trimester in sight

[becciandbump]

Not sure how to post the link but having a go guys

I found we spent loads during my maternity leave than we normally would. We just weren't doing much going out and I wasn't buying 'stuff' because I was too busy. Just don't cancel Netflix... Hopefully if you're careful you'll be able to have a bit longer than eight weeks.

steffi you do get state pay on top of your half pay so try not to worry too much but like someone said speak to HR about it. My friend worked in nhs and has had to have both her pregnancies on her pay alone as her husband is doing a PhD so is a student she seemed to manage to do it twice although they did have to cut back a bit she was really savvy with her saving during pregnancy got a lot of second hand maternity clothes etc and got some of the big baby stuff like baby stuff on credit so she could spread the cost. Because of my health im probably going to get my maternity pay worked out on half my current salary as ive been advised to work part time from the beginning of my second trimester x

Sorry that should say third trimester

Oh Becci that's not good. Bless you. I hope they don't cut you're mat pay. And thanks for all the advice. Didn't realise I would get stat pay too and knowing this has made things seem a lot better. I will be savy lol. It's crazy how generous people are as well when you have babies. Parents in law have offered to buy buggy. Someone has offered to buy the Moses baskets. DD had loads of clothes bought for her when she was born. Exciting times ahead for all of us

I'm freelance so only get statutory maternity pay. My DH will pay the mortgage/bills and my SMP will go into in joint account to contribute a bit and pay for things like baby groups.

steffi according to policy may pay is calculated in weeks leading up to week 26 so going to try to drop my hours week 27 but it will just depend if they see ive changed my contract week 27 and try to change the mat pay ive got everything crossed xx

We miscalculated dates for how long Mrsthedog was employed before DD was due so got SMP and my salary.
Funnily it helped us to cope with Mrsthedog's return being part time. We were already used to much less money.

Congrats azure!! I wanna be team blue but everyone thinks it's team pink!!

Had my scan yesterday everything was well, baby was fast asleep wouldn't move at all even had me doing lunges! Little bugger! Still due the 23rd Dec and had all my tests done so now it's just a case of waiting!

Loving everyone else's scan pictures ❤️ Xxx

Just had my scan! It was my first so quite surreal/amazing. All seems normal and they'll have my blood results ready in an hour - can't believe they can do it the same day. New due date of 13 December, moved from the 19th.

I am p/t freelance and p/t employed (2 days p/w). The company I am employed by only does SMP (which I think is pretty disgraceful for various reasons I won't go into!) so finances are going to be challenging for us too. I will most likely start my freelance work again after maybe 3 months? Its my first child so not sure if that is at all realistic?

Oh, and it's most likely a boy! Husband is very pleased.

Yup, I'm the main wage earner and have hefty outgoings. SMP is going to be a bitch but will just have to save as much as possible between now and and then. I'd be over the moon at anything above that!

God reading all this about maternity pay makes me realise I haven't got a bad deal at all! Full pay for 3 months, half for 3 months then SMP for 3 months and following that I can take 3 months unpaid if I choose. I think I will be returning to work after 6 months but we shall see. Scan this afternoon!! x

Mistletoe, I think you might not be able to claim SMP if you return to doing other work, so it might be worth not starting freelance work until you return to your employed job. As for whether it's possible to start freelance work again at 3 months (without childcare), it very much depends on the baby! If you get a good sleeper who doesn't cry too much, it's certainly possible. If you get a cluster feeder who wakes every two hours, not so much!

Can anyone anyone help me. I was reading my notes and on them I noticed it said social concern. What on earth is this social concern?? They mentioned nothing to me. It kept me awake all night which does no help the fact I have just taken my toddler to a 2hour dance lesson and I am shattered. Please tell me it's nothing to worry about.

Hi SolomanDaisy, thanks, that's helpful. I absolutely do need to look into it further and I will do now that i've had the all clear. After some very quick research I was under the impression that if I can get SMP through my employer, I am able to then do some p/t self employed work without losing SMP payments. If fully self employed and receiving Maternity Allowance (I think it's called?) then I wouldn't be able to work without losing it. Anyway, all TBC! I'll let you know how I get on and fingers crossed for a sleeper!!

Congrats in the scan and results mistletoe. Did they confirm the gender at the 12 week scan? x

Think I'm quite lucky with my mat pay! I work for the government I don't really like my job but I get 6 months full pay, 3 months half then il have annual leave to take so hoping to be off for about 10/11 months!

If I didn't have that there's no way we would be able to afford a baby! Xxx

Thanks anewleaf. I specifically asked - not sure if they would have said anything otherwise. They said it was "probably" a boy so not a 100% confirmation. I don't know if it makes any difference but I am with Kings in South London who have a very fancy fetal medicine research centre - they seemed to be very thorough.

Is anyone else a stay at home mum? I've been sahm for 8 years now, since my dh started working away from home. This contract he's on just now has been the toughest for us as a family. He's away for 3 months at a time. Quite likely that he'll have to leave for 3 months again about a week after this baby is born Every other time he's only worked away 2 weeks at a time so it'll be hard juggling a newborn and my other 3 chops for so long on my own!

I can't really comment on mat pay because I'm not working anyway, BUT my mother was the bread winner by a long way (making triple what my dad made) and this was back in the 80's when mat pay didn't exist (I grew up outside of England), she took 6 months off when I was born, then I was in full time child care. Again, back then no government support for childcare so half her wages went on full-time care for me (even when I started school I had to go to before and after school clubs as both parents worked 8am-6pm).

She went on to have a flourishing career, owning her own businesses etc, and my childhood never suffered - I was a happy kid and have fond memories of both my parents being around for all the important stuff.

My point is I know we are making sacrifices for our babies and we will feel guilty and it will be hard but they will love you even more for it ❤️💛💚💙💜

Soo exciting mistletoe I can't wait to find out. Been in the loft to take down Dd clothes to do a sort out. Only 11 weeks but I can't help myself!

Weechops, I am currently although hadn't planned to be. We moved across the country due to DH's job about 8 weeks after DD was born and I had to resign after maternity leave with her as it was too far to commute, so I ended up staying at home with her as we wanted another fairly soon and we move again next year anyway so it was a bit pointless me finding a new job for such a short period. Like you, DH is away for long periods fairly frequently with work as he is in the military, so it was just easier for me to stay home than try and juggle childcare with no family support locally. We move again a year in Dec, when DC2 will be 1 and DD1 will be 3, so I am planning to return to work then as we are moving closer to my parents so it will be easier hopefully.
How do you find it?
I enjoy the time with DD but it feels really odd after always being out the house working. I still tutor a few hours a week but term time only.

Just re-reading your message again weechops, that is hard going with 3 children and adding a newborn to the mix if he does have to go away shortly after the birth. Do you have family nearby to help?

Hi all! Having a bit of a weepy pathetic day today, is anyone else struggling with hormones and mood? I think it's probably a combination of hormones and lack of sleep for me, but every time I look at DTs I think how little the still are and feel bad about 'abandoning them' and having another baby. Last night I found myself looking at DT1 whilst she was sleeping and wondering whether I could ever love another baby as much as I love DTs... crazy mummy hormones, right?!

I don't know if I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but has anyone thought about when they might start maternity leave?! specially those that don't get any more than stat pay? I have a desk job/visiting clients so wondered if 38weeks to finish is practical? Xx