Due February 2017 - Thread 8!

[DottyA]

Sorry all - I accidentally used the last message in thread 7. Hope you can find this one!

London that's amazing!

London, that is AMAZING! My DH only get 2 weeks on full pay, though he is planning to take another 2 weeks annual leave as it's looking likely I'll be having a section and the extra help will be well appreciated.

DP is a student, so we're hoping for a half term birth

That's amazing London. Very jealous!

That's great news London :) do you know mbeans? My DH, whose shopping style is similar to yours, swears by their reviews. I'm a Buyer as a job so I trust my gut!

Thanks everybody and fingers cross for a half-term birth ceecee. Its crazy because my company also just changed our policy in the last few months to 100% full pay for 28 weeks. When we were trying, we didn't think we'd be in this position at all.

CeeCee I've never heard of mbeans but I'll definitely check them out. My DH is even worse than me so anything to help with the decision making process would be great. I look at all the things we still need to buy and it fills me with quiet despair!

I wanted to go to a sling library as well but they all seem to be held during the week in the mornings while both of us are at work. I guess we'll just have to wait until after the birth to go try them out but somehow I feel I won't be up for big trip out of our neighbourhood for a little while post birth, especially if I have a c-section.

Half-term birth for chozzle not cee-cee

This is what happens when you try to multitask building a financial model and reading mumsnet.

Must focus on work so don't get fired ahead of mat leave!!

Lucky you London. That's fab! My DH only gets statutory for two weeks. It's a completely backwards and predominantly male IT firm so I'm not surprised. He's going to take a couple of weeks leave and my mum's going to stay to help when he's not around as I'm planning a c-section. I think they're going to do alternate weeks as he found it very claustrophobic taking too much time off in one go last time.

Friendly that's all DH's company offers too (they're a small business and can't afford to offer more than stat pay), but in reality they usually pay people full pay anyway even though it's not their official policy, and DH is the FD so he gets to set the rules a bit! So he'll effectively get paid an extra two weeks leave instead of taking as stat paternity leave.

I may decamp to my mum's for a week or two if I have another section, she can't really come to me as my stepdad has cancer and doesn't travel well these days, and she (understandably) doesn't want to leave him, but if DH only gets two weeks off I'll need extra support during the day for a while if I can't lift DS and can't drive him to nursery. Last time he had four weeks as his paternity leave led into Christmas break but I'm not sure he'll be able to take that long off this time.

I'm going to check out that car seat London as sounds like we have similar needs!

My DH has 2 weeks stat leave but his boss is really flexible and was happy for him to have longer last time when I was ill. He might book a weeks holiday to add onto the end this time, we haven't really discussed it yet. My inlaws will be staying nearby for a few weeks around the due date so that will be a massive help!

My mum will help with practical things (washing up, hoovering) but we clash quite a bit and she is not emotionally supportive at all so it can end up being more stressful than helpful!

Marjory same with me and my mum! That's another reason why I'd actually rather go to hers than her come to mine, I find when they're at mine they comment on how we do things and it winds me up whereas when I'm at theirs I'm happier to just tolerate how they do things and not feel the need to fuss and comment like she does at mine!

Hi ladies. I wasn't even sure I should post it as I know most people's maternity leave is terrible and paternity leave is pretty much non-existent. Its great some of your DHs will be able to take off a month.

Marjory let me know if you want the full Which? review and I'll send it to you via PM. The only downsides Which? noted were some historical issues with the handle which were resolved back in 2012 when a new model was released and the fact that it can be too upright in certain cars (no safety issue but less comfortable for a sleeping baby).

There are other options as well that can be used both with a base and without for the same car seat if you anticipate switching back and forth. However, the one we are buying has a 5 star crash rating for front and side without the use of a base and is described as very easy to install with a belt, which is what made it the best choice for us along with its compatibility with our preferred pram.

Thanks London I recently subscribed as we are looking for a new fridge freezer (exciting times, I know) so will have a look this evening.

That's amazing london ! My husband will only be having a week off. He did the same with the others and it was fine. He would only get statutory paternity pay and tbh it just isn't enough, its a mahoosive drop on our weekly income so instead he will use a weeks holidays. He has an extra week saved in case but fingers crossed that won't be needed.

Carseats...we had the isofix with our others but have since sold it. I'm not getting another as for us it wasn't worth it . I don't drive and the kids are in our car once a week on average. I have the joie carseat and will use it with the seatbelt in our car and my mums. I walk everywhere so its the pram that will get lots of use.

I don't mind visitors after the baby but I'd hate someone coming round washing up, doing g the washing and just general cleaning. People said I would be thankful but nope, I like things done my way lol. Luckily my family know this so will help in other ways. Just coming round for a chat and to make a brew is fine with me! If you don't mind though then take all the help you can get. I'm very set in my ways so like to do things myself but I'll admit I'm exhausted some days. X

Thanks all for sharing your experiences with movements, I feel so relieved now
I didnt have car seats on my list which is silly because I do need them so now to cry over more expenses. Oh dear.
I probably wont be able to buy the base but I am sure if the seats werent safe they wouldnt sell them right.
Piano I will be 20+4 when I have my scan
Wow london that is great! My DH gets 2 weeks
But he works 2 minutes from home so he will come for break and lunch

Hectic day at work 🙈 feel as though Iv missed loads on here today! Haha...

Trying to make up my mind if it's defo movement I'm feeling! Haha
Feeling about 80 today...

Does anyone else have a waddle already? I'm ok in the mornings but by the end of the day I'm definitely waddling!

twocats I walk all the time like I have a bowling ball between my legs (she is very low down, with head down already). I waddle all the bloody time.

I am so happy!
Today was my first day with my new schedule
Work has allowed me to finish early and do a but of work from home
Massive difference!
I didnt fall asleep on the desk today

No waddle here but I have:

• painful leg cramps at night
• shaky legs at night
• hip pain

Joy

diva maybe that's whats causing it, this one is sitting really low down too, but breech at the moment (not that that's a concern at 21 weeks). I wasn't waddling at this stage last time but I definitely remember feeling movements higher last time so perhaps the baby wasn't so low!

It probably is twocats I think they find it comfy lower down. Maybe cos it's all stretched from previous pregnancies?!?!? I have had no movements above belly button. In fact nowhere near the belly button! I didn't waddle with my first until about 35 weeks. This time it's been from 17 weeks.

diva I have had a few members of my family asking if they can feel the movements, and they are definitely detectable from the outside as DH has felt them, but the kicks are so low that in order to feel them you basically have to put your hand down my trousers and I'm not comfortable with anyone but DH doing that!