May 2017 #8....... Bumps, Bargains and Baby Clothes

[RasperryInAMelon]

Here goes thread #8

Hello to all! If anyone is just joining us - please add your details on the spread sheet of EDD's...

May 2017

Also a link to the last thread Thread7

Wow 24 hours and I don't know where to start reading!!

Mrs JW when are you supposed to be flying? Some airlines you don't need it for anyway, but better to be safe than sorry.

Bright I'm in an office job so it's ok in terms of resting up, but I'm in agony walking, particularly if I'm in a bit of a rush.

Rise our nickname started out as Raspberry because of when we found of, the Melon part comes with the fact it rhymes with my name 🙈 but now bump is generally beanie or baby girl.

Dream I've been told that I must take all of my 2017 vacation entitlement in 2017, my options are take it before Mat Leave starts, or return to work before the end of the year to take it. The only reason we allow A/L to be carried over is if the employee is sick or the reason they haven't been able to take it is due to the business. You'd need to check your contract and handbook for guidance as various employers are different. Some will let you carry over but only a week say.

You don't need to be having a conversation about returning to work until much later - I chose to approach my manager yesterday because I'm slightly OCD and need to plan ahead and she told me that whilst she is grateful I've put thought into it, the earliest she's prepared to discuss it with me is October, because I just don't know how I'll feel once DD arrives. Any A/L I accrue during 2018 will be taken whenever I choose in 2018.

I'll be confirming that my intention is to return in Feb following 26 weeks Ordinary Mat Leave and 13 weeks Additional Mat Leave and my manager will confirm that back. However, I can make a decision to extend that to take the full 26 weeks of each and I only have to give 8 weeks notice if I want to return earlier.

Mighty I hope you're starting to feel better?

Sah just take it easy and if you need to go at 3 weeks rather than 1.5 then they cannot force you to stay. That's you're choice and you can go upto 11 weeks prior to your EDD.

Apologies for the crazy long post you chatty bunch!

Raspberry I'll be 30 weeks. It's a BA flight and they say that you need a letter (plus mat notes) after 28 weeks. I'm only going to Dublin, so I'm not too worried about it. I flew Easyjet two weeks ago and no one asked how far I was. But everyone keeps telling me I look quite big so I think I'd rather have the letter than take the chance!

Hi Dream sorry to hear you're having such trouble with your manager. I think HR will be a good way to go.
I have now calculated all my leave for both jobs.
Both jobs have annual leave year starting 1 April until 31 march. I had some outstanding annual leave to take up which means I'll be off from job one on 22 March, and taking up all my leave for 2017-18, before maternity leave starts on 8 May.
In job 2 I had 9 days to take up before end march, which I'm using for a phased return to work (and gawd do I need it). I'll be working part time in April but have my days spread otherwise so I can attend aqua antenatal class in my gym. I'm then taking up 1 week of 2017-18 leave in May until mat leave starts on 8 May. Due on 26 May but being a Jurassic mum, I may have to count on an earlier delivery, definitely not overdue.
I'll be off work for a full 9 months paid maternity leave and 2 weeks unpaid until annual leave again until end march. Not going back to job 1. No. Way. Jose.
Ever.

After yesterday's fright with the high blood pressure and a panicky gp helped me spend 6 hours in the hospital, I wondered why I had a high blood pressure 151-80 which then normalised again, and extreme shortness of breath but no other signs of what the gp suspected, a Pulmonary embolism. They did all the tests and let me wait ages in between but everyone was so incredibly kind and patient. Infection was also excluded so no idea what was going on.
Would I need to have my own blood pressure meter and cuff or would that just add to the anxiety? Anyone have this at home?

Raspberry that's good that you're going to take the full mat leave. (Was it you that was considering only having a very small amount?).

Rustler it's difficult because like the Dopplers you can be falsely reassured. You can have pre-eclampsia with relatively normal BP. I would say if your midwife or hospital doctor suggests home monitoring then do it, otherwise go on how you're feeling.

So much to catch up on!!

Just a quicky though.... rustler glad they didn't find anything serious! Can I ask why you said you'd prob be early but definitely not overdue with regards to edd and being an older mum please? Just being nosey as I'm 39 (40 in oct) and just feel like my baby will prob come in June!?

That sounds like good news for the iron tablets then, I thought I was just going to be this tired for the next 3 months. Good job they check these things! Having told my DB & DPs I'm now getting really sensible suggestions of what to eat to increase my iron intake, ranging from wheetabix topped with tofu to Irn Bru (made from girders don't you know!) and seaweed ice cream .... I think tablets sound more appealing!

Rustler I can't help thinking that it was the situation keeping your bp high rather than anything else, 6 hrs in the hospital can't have been relaxing! Glad they didn't find anything scary! We have one of those home bp machines but I've always found it gives a higher reading than the professionals doing it so it may just add to your worry.

Going on what I think will be my last work trip before maternity leave next week so picking up my fit to fly letter tomorrow. Airline says after 28 weeks need a letter and your notes but I can't work out at which point they check.

Tea it was me - my intention is to take 9 months now as we haven't heard anything more about DHs job, but that could all change! Fingers crossed it doesn't!

That's good news Raspberry.

In some trusts mums aged 40+ are offered induction between 37 and 40 weeks as they feel it's a higher stillbirth risk to go overdue at that age. Obviously it's not compulsory, and it varies from hospital to hospital.

Thanks again everyone for views and advice on my work issue, it really did help when I spoke to the lady from HR today. I specifically asked to speak to her as she knows me and my boss really well. She was fantastic, not cagy at all with her views, said I did not need to be made to feel anxious at this stage, made lots of specific understanding comments about the points I outlined in my v long post including that it's custom and practice in our organisation to use accrued leave to have a phased return etc. Also understood my concerns about potential future issues with not being considered for flexible working/ part time etc and said there was plenty HR could do to support if it came to it. Also how can I possibly know how I'll feel, what the bank balance will be like etc in 12 months time and that I could and should decide at a much later date how to use the leave. She asked if I felt able to speak to boss about the immediate leave issues and I said I think that's a good idea to put my marker down that this is not ok' especially in light of her language like 'ridiculous' and 'unmanageable' around things that are our standard policy and she said to let her know how it goes. Also HR lady said she can't possibly doubt my commitment and I'm giving her enough reassurance i.e. offering things I could usefully do on KIT days, agreeing to take this years leave within the 12 months and arranging our meetings about my maternity leave. Phew, am not normally a worrier so glad this isn't over nothing!!

Thanks again, you make an awesome group . Yoga teacher on holiday this week so two of us decided that whilst the cats away the mice will take ourselves and DP's to steak night instead .

Rise it was actually only at the gp that the Bp measured high. Not one of the measurements in hospital was high. If I had a cuff and would find my blooming stethoscope I could take the blood pressure myself lol!

Glad your work situation is sorted for now Dream, unless I got it wrong.

Badgerbird indeed I won't be allowed to go overdue, although they've not yet talked about induction. Curious to speak to obstetrician and endocrinologist on 9 March as haven't met the ones from my new team as yet. I guess much will depend on the growth scans at 28-32 and 36 weeks.

I nearly fainted today, was at work and was viewing a presentation and had been standing for nearly an hour. Got so hot and dizzy that I started seeing dots/lights in my eyes and honestly thought, that's it I am going to pass out so left the room and had a sit down.

Wasn't pleasant!

dream glad to hear you got some reassurance from HR, definitely sounds like they will be air and on your side!

red hope your feelings better! Amazed you were standing for that long, everyone at my work is nearly always forcing chairs etc on me in meetings

Did have an entertaining moment at work today. Was happily in a room downstairs doing a massive pile of laminating and didn't realise the two managers were looking for me. By the time I found one of them they were both running around the building with the receptionist trying to find me, panicking! I'd been quite chilled in an empty room on my own

After that the day all went downhill. We've found a house we like, had the mortgage approved and all moving forwards nicely. Then this afternoon found out the woman buying ours is pulling out, so now everything's up in the air and I'm so stressed I just keep crying!
Bad bloody timing!

Impressive stamina red standing for an hour. No wonder you felt faint. Hope you are feeling better now.

Oh no ticky that's a shame. Buying/selling is incredibly stressful. Did the buyer have a good reason for pulling out? Hope you find another one soon.

I hadn't realised some airlines needed a letter so early on. I'm flying (only to Scotland) for work next week so better check.

Esmes I think they all do after 28 weeks.

Ticky what a nightmare! Moving is so stressful. Fingers crossed you get a new buyer soon.

Red that's sounds scary. Make sure you look after yourself!

I feel like baby has been much quieter today than yesterday - suspect it's moved as I'm not getting kicks in the ribs. But a little nervous, so I'm trying to get it moving now.

EasyJet don't need a medical certificate at all!

Well I've finally done some baby shopping! Boots and Amazon order done tonight. Going to John Lewis on Thursday. Get stuff back off my sister in the next week or so as well.

I'm quite happy staying for 3 weeks with the changes.

I'm glad you're all doing ok

Except tickyboo - this happened twice to my friend and she was 1 day away from her dream house then it happened again & she lost it.
The new family moved in 4 weeks ago, and she moved yesterday, and the estate agent said aren't you glad you didn't go into the other house, and she said no why, and found out the back garden has completely subsided and a sink holes opened so the family had to move out.

Everything happens for a reason. You just don't know what that reason is. If it all goes well, that's great. If not something better will I promise xx

Weird Raspberry! But easier. Should have flown with them!

What did you buy Tea?

I'm 28+5 and I flew with monarch at the weekend without question!
I have fairly high bp, usually in the 130s /90s. My MW mentioned home monitoring at my last appt but I refused. I find it just adds stress. However I have a midwife at work who is happy to take my bp a couple of times a week. Today it was 125/80. I nearly fell off of my chair with shock. I got induced last time due to high bp though so they are quite worried about pre-e this time.
I find light exercise helps with lowering the bp. Concentrate on your limits though. I have my next mw in 2 weeks... feels like ages away.
I'm aching loads today. Might have to give up on the heels at work. I wore them right up to my last couple of weeks last time!

MightyMouse have you been checked out for ovarian cysts? I had a ruptured cyst at 16 and the only symptom I had was really bad back pain. For ages the doctors thought I had kidney stones until they finally found the cyst on a scan.

Blimey rise I'm vegan and even I don't eat tofu on weetabix!!

Aah I see tea thanks, I didn't know that. Let's hope you you get some more info on 9th and you don't need an induction rustler :)

dream glad your maternity situation is getting sorted, that sounded a pain! Loving that you're going out for dinner with yoga buddies!

Oh ticky that's so rubbish! Moving is supposed to be one of the most stressful things so doing whilst preggo can't be good!

And I love you ladies advice/thoughts on French wine

Just woke myself and DH up with bloody calf cramp... it's going to be a long day...

Morning all, thank you so much for the well wishes. I've not heard back from hospital yet, and managed to get through attacks of pain yesterday. Shini that's a good idea- no I haven't. I think I had one show up on an early scan so will def follow up with them today. They didn't scan me in triage.

During one of the pain sessions yesterday I had what I think were two bouts of Brixton hicks? My bump went hard and really quite uncomfortable for a few minutes, about half hour apart. Thought it was a bit early for that...

Raspberry, ouch!