January Babies #5 - Are we 'glowing' yet?!

[millsbynight]

Welcome to Thread 5!

Thread #1
Thread #2
Thread #3
Thread #4

Current January babies due dates list:

Noodleaddict – EDD 24th December – team yellow
Alpanini - EDD 25th December – team yellow
Cookie22 – EDD 27th December – team yellow
MammyHester – EDD 29th December - team yellow
Mumoftheark – EDD 28th December - team yellow
Kilicat – EDD 28th December - team yellow
WLMcl – EDD 28th December - team yellow
MummyM33 – EDD 29th December – team blue
Pickledsausage – EDD 30th December - team yellow
Millsbynight – EDD 30th December – team pink
Newhere123 – EDD 30th December team yellow
DiveItLikeYouStoleIt – EDD 30th December - team yellow
MissMango – EDD 31st December - team yellow
SilverLinings2014 – EDD 31st December - team yellow
MarthaC – EDD 31st December - team yellow
GenerallyHappy1 – 31st December - team yellow
SJ1989 – EDD 31st December – team pink
HariboFrenzy – EDD 1st January - team yellow
JJenky34 – EDD 1st January - team yellow
Kirsty157 – EDD 1st January - team yellow
NoOneLikesACrispyTowel – EDD 1st January - team yellow
GruffaloSoldier – EDD 1st January – team blue
Emma2803 – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
Stripeyfish – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
Bunanarama – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
PurplePoppySeed – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
CharlieWeasley – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
Hanna87 – EDD 2nd January - team yellow
Ziggzagg – EDD 2nd January – team blue
StylishDuck – EDD 3rd January - team yellow
ALHCTPS – EDD 4th January - team yellow
Reetgood – EDD 4th January – team blue
BreadAndJam00 – EDD 4th January - team yellow
Owltrousers – EDD 4th January - team yellow
Loulou1286 – EDD 4th January - team yellow
LadyM0ndegreen – EDD 5th January - team yellow
Lenska999 – EDD 5th January - team yellow
Sophsta – EDD 5th January - team yellow
Dddddddddd – EDD 5th January - team yellow
Whoknows123 – EDD 5th January - team yellow
SpringChicken26 – EDD 5th January - team blue
Hotpinkangel19 – EDD 6th January – team pink
Rememberpurpleronnie – EDD 6th January – team pink
HariboFrenzy – EDD 6th January - team yellow
Laurelloves85 – EDD 6th January – team pink
Poppypopsicle – EDD 6th January - team yellow
ChocoMunchi – EDD 6th January – team pink
Coffeecoffeebuzzbuzzbuzz – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Ifeellikechickentonight – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Pebble82 – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Hutch2016 – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Usedtorun – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Kitcaty – EDD 7th January - team yellow
OutComeTheWolves – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Embo – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Hannah91x – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Spitzbergen – EDD 7th January - team yellow
MegRam – EDD 7th January - team pink
BELLAARA – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Ladybunnikinds – EDD 7th January - team yellow
Klc75 – 7th January – team pink
Rabbitstail – EDD 8th January - team yellow
MrsCorr – EDD 8th January – team pink
Ndo4000 – EDD 8thJanuary – team pink
GiraffesCantDoMentalArithmetic – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Usernamegone – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Tinywithtoes – EDD 9th January - team yellow
SummerHopin – EDD 9th January - team yellow
HeyBea – EDD 9th January - team yellow
PregoinKH – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Train1 – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Klaw87 – EDD 9th January – team blue
Serendipper – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Waitingonasmile – EDD 9th January – team blue
Briggs18 – EDD 9th January - team yellow
Chocolateshortcake – EDD 10th January TWINS!!!
Thingymaboob – EDD 10th January - team yellow
Jellypi3 – EDD 10th January - team yellow
Questabelletreetop – EDD 10th January - team yellow
ElleMcElle – EDD 10th January - team yellow
ChocolateMuffin595 – 10th January - team yellow
Kirst11 – EDD 10th January - team yellow
Bringmethechips – EDD 10th January - team yellow
LoobysMummy14 – EDD 10th January - team yellow
Banania – EDD 11th January - team yellow
JoeyR – EDD 11th January - team yellow
LadyFuchsiaGroan – EDD 11th January - team yellow
SandyAmazon – EED 12th January - team yellow
Maybebaby2 – EDD 11th January – team pink
Fattycowagain – EDD 12th January - team yellow
Auntym – EDD 12th January - team yellow
JB1983 – EDD 12th January - team yellow
DreamBigHaveFun – 12th January - team yellow
Isabeau1980 – EDD 12th January – team blue
Mrsb87 – EDD 13th January - team yellow
LinaBl – EDD 13th January - team yellow
Flossyfloss – EDD 14th January – team pink
Shaaan1329 – EDD 14th January - team yellow
SJP3 – EDD 14th January - team yellow
Asafemooring – EDD 14th January - team yellow
Purplechoc – EDD 15th January - team yellow
Maybebaby88 – EDD 15th January - team yellow
Isambardo – EDD 16th January - team yellow
ImBreakingBad – EDD 16th January - team yellow
Issywizzybelle – EDD 16th January – team pink
Wapphighwood – EDD 16th January - team blue
ElsaMars – EDD 17th January - team yellow
Ruthcarr1990 – EDD 17th January – team blue
FromHackneyWithLove – EDD 17th January - team yellow
AdorableMisfit – EDD 17th January - team yellow
Star1980 – EDD 18th January - team yellow
Winsones – EDD 18th January - team yellow
Victoriaaaaaaaa – EDD 18th January – team pink
Hobbs123 – EDD 18th January
Mummy87 – EDD 19th January
Kittykat89 – EDD 19th January
Moodybutmarvelous – EDD 19th January
Disinterested – EDD 19th January - team blue
Roseandbee – EDD 19th January – team pink
Sybarite85 – EDD 19th January - team yellow
Polkadotflamingo – EDD 20th January - team yellow
ForumUsername – EDD 20th January - team yellow
Fredthefrog – EDD 20th January - team yellow
Acquiescence – EDD 20th January - team yellow
Rosehyd2 – EDD 20th January - team yellow
NovaArt3mis – EDD 20th January - team yellow
DooWhaaDiddy – EDD 21st January - team yellow
Beachbaby2016 – EDD 21st January - team yellow
Peachgreen – EDD 21st January - team yellow
AmandaP86x – EDD 21st January - team yellow
Owl1011 – EDD 21st January - team yellow
UnicornsandRainbows1 – EDD 22nd January - team yellow
Ndt90 – EDD 22nd January - team yellow
Seven0fNine – EDD 22nd January - team yellow
Icantthinkofastupidname – EDD 22nd January - team yellow
Chubchub – EDD 22nd January - team yellow
Coragreta – EDD 23rd January - team yellow
Beanmp007 – EDD 23rd January - team yellow
Abbixxx – EDD 23rd January - team yellow
Gemxo – EDD 23rd January – team blue
StarTravels – EDD 23rd January - team yellow
MissyJones80s – EDD 24th January - team yellow
Lolly34h – EDD 25th January - team yellow
Flyingbaby – EDD 25th January - team yellow
BumbleBee1982 – EDD 25th January - team yellow
Kdd1980 – EDD 25th January - team yellow
KimmySchmidt1 – EDD 25th January - team yellow
RedPanda25 – EDD 25th January - team yellow
Supper16 – EDD 25th January - team yellow
Iamchanging – EDD 26th January – team pink
Haily123 – EDD 26th January - team yellow
MrsPayneworkingmummy – EDD 27th January - team yellow
Robindeer – EDD 28th January - team yellow
EekThreek – EDD 29th January - team yellow
Siarie – EDD 30th January - team yellow
Sureitsgrand – EDD 30th January - team yellow
Decaffstilltastesweird – EDD 30th January – team blue
Starsshinebright – EDD 31st January - team yellow
Dabarai – EDD 31st January - team yellow
Flamingoprincess – EDD 1st February - team yellow
Pickledprogress – EDD 2nd February - team yellow
Emzwell – EDD TBC – team yellow
Hobbitsy – EDD TBC - team yellow

@millsbynight I feel massive too!
I'm on holidays in the Canaries (so great to be relaxing) but I'm so aware of how big I've gotten
I've been out of a lot of my fitted clothes since early on because my boobs keep growing and I've a very definite bump now
I'd say I look 6+months

I'm also noticing I'm getting more awkward in my movements and my lower back is feeling the extra weight

I'll be doing yoga and Pilates once back home to try to keep strong

I had tried a couple of yoga/active birth classes and liked them because of meeting other expecting mums. It's more stretching than strengthening though and I do find the visualisation a bit odd!

Also I'm constantly worried about what to eat here

We get a few bits in for breakfast and lunch so that's ok
But going out for dinner I'm really worried about what to order
Between food aversions and then the pregnancy risky foods eating out is no fun

I was really enjoying some salad that came with my fish last night then worried loads that it might not of been washed right
Am I over thinking?

Formerusername I'd love to do some pregnancy yoga or pilates! I honestly don't have time during the week as I get home and want to spend time with DS (and DH.. sometimes!), and then come the weekend when I remember I have free time and I go to book a class, they're fully booked! I need to get organised!

I already started looking at Buggy Fit classes in my area for post-natal workouts. Really struggling with my changing body . I don't think I cared so much with DS as I was quite young so bounced back quite easily. Also don't remember putting on so much weight on my hips, arse and thighs. Yuck!!

As for restaurant meals I just stick to plain stuff. I remember getting upset last time I was out with DH I literally couldn't eat anything on the starter menu because it was all liver pate or tuna tartare type stuff. If you're worried about anything on the menu don't hesitate to ask the waiter to check with the kitchen that the food is pregnancy-friendly. I've asked in the past if my burger sauce was pasteurised or not.

I'm really missing salami and blue cheese!

Mills you can have Stilton now according to the NHS!

@millsbynight I completely sympathise at the moment with the body changes, I'm feeling huge at the moment and have gained about 4kg so far, which I attribute to mainly overeating! I keep having to remind myself that my body will naturally change but it is hard to accept as I've always struggled with my body image

@ForumUsername I had that issue whilst in Cyprus back in July but stuck to plain foods and asked where necessary about suitability for pregnant women. I have to admit I've been a bit more relaxed recently with my food and had a minor panic that I've eaten something I shouldn't have!

My scales at home are unfortunately broken (not because I stood on them ) as at my first appointment they weighed me in at half a stone less than the doctors did.. I couldn't take the deceit again so haven't stood on them sense. I dread to think what I've put on but I'm round now! Nothing extra on my bum, it's all bump and boobs.

Im keen to try yoga too but I'm not very flexible so not sure how good I'd be. I'm also nervous about joining a class. What's the age range that attends? I'm 26 and it's my first child and everyone keeps telling me how young I am and now it's made me over think it when I think about joining a group.

For anyone who is thinking about going to yoga I'd definitely recommend it. I joined a class a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying it, good to just be doing something. I attended hot yoga a couple of times a week pre-pregnancy and missed it when I had to stop. Yoga is for anyone you don't have to be flexible you can do as much or as little as your body will allow

@Rosehyd2 totally understand where your coming from I had my first child at 19 and felt that I was too young to be part of any "mums groups" now I'm having my 4th at 41 and feel too old...so both ends of the scale.

@millsbynight I work full-time and similar to you I've just been asked if I'll take on another more strategic role up to xmas. I can do my current role comfortably and was looking forward to just having a settled few months before I started mat leave but nope they had other plans for me. Felt good that I'd been asked and not just sidelined when they found out I was pregnant but also a little unsure how my baby brain would cope with the change. I am tired working full-time, pregnant with 3 other kids at home and a partner who works away M-F, but I've negotiated working from home at least 1 day a week and can take breaks whenever I need to. Sounds like the extra money for you definitely makes it worthwhile.

@Rosehyd2 there was a big mix in the yoga class I did ages from 23 to 43 ish

My class was more about taking the time to connect with baby and start preparing for birth
Practicing breathing, chatting to other expectant mum, relaxing, visualisation and some yoga

The yoga was VERY easy, I used to do lots of Pilates and found the yoga more stretchy that work out

Does anyone know if we are eligible for child tax credit? My sister claims it and it's an extra £80 a month ontop of your maternity which would be a massive help as I will only be on SMP

When I have looked on the gov site it's all very confusing and it seems there has been alot of changes! Sorry if I'm being stupid this is all new to me

I've answered my own question after doing more digging! Haha sorry

@Rosehyd2 I was nervous about yoga too as I've not done much before but it was really easy - mostly just gentle stretching - and there were women at all stages of pregnancy so some that were further along adapted particular exercises to suit and nobody batted an eyelid. My group is only 5 of us but ages range from around 22-35 I would say. I really enjoyed it!

I'm with you all on struggling with changes. I lost a stone in the first trimester as I was so sick but have started putting weight on now and it's a bit scary how fast it's going on - 7lbs in 10 weeks. Wah!

@gemxo Glad you found the answer! In case anyone else is wondering, not sure about child tax credit but child benefit is £82.80 every four weeks and everyone is entitled to it. You start getting penalised through a tax charge if you or your partner individually earns over £50k and it stops being worth it if you earn over £60k I think, but it's been a great little help for us, basically pays for all of our daughter's bits and bobs. For those of us having second children, it doesn't double but goes up to £137.60 every four weeks for the two kids.

One thing that I've found out is that if you're not going to be working at all outside the home (as opposed to being on mat leave), you need to claim child benefit to keep your entitlement to the state pension. This is all great, but the benefit is automatically in the mother's name. My husband has been a stay at home dad for the last 2.5 years and because the benefit is in my name, it means those years aren't counted towards his state pension. It's a total faff to change it (although you can, it's just a pain) so something to bear in mind if anyone has a spouse or partner who's planning to stay at home in future! (Bit of a niche problem, I know!)

Thanks everyone for your reassurance re yoga. The place local to me is full Really struggling to find anywhere else that's not at least half an hour away. I feel like I'm missing out now.

@Rosehyd2 and anyone else who might be too busy/too far away for prenatal yoga: If you want to do a bit at home, I recommend this lady, Sarah Beth Prenatal Yoga on youtube :) I do this particular video every morning, and even with my SPD none of these exercises stress the pelvis if you do them very consciously to keep your core active. She has lots of other videos for a workout, night time, etc, and I find her easy to understand and not cloying, whereas a lot of the other ones on youtube annoy me with their saccharine "oh, well done, ladies!" fakeness.

@asafemooring I realised I was searching for the wrong thing 🙈 I was researching child tax credit instead of child benefit!! Baby brain

Is there anyone else who still can't feel any movement whatsoever? It's really starting to upset me / worry me now 😔

@iamchanging I only started feeling movement in the past week. I am currently 23+1 and my placenta is anterior. How far along are you?

It's my anomaly scan today and I'm totally freaking out, not least because my tummy seems flatter the last few days. Keep telling myself I'm imagining the little kicks I've been getting, or they're just wind. Argh! Scan isn't until 5pm.

Good luck peachgreen!

Good luck with the scan @peachgreen! X

peachgreen I was the same so completely get your nerves! Try no to dwell on it too much if you can, I felt so silly worrying two secinds into the scan when a super chilled out baby appeared wriggling on the screen

Iamchanging I've noticed on off movement for a good few weeks now but nothing regular (as in every day) until this week when I've been off on holiday. I for sure don't notice it when I'm busy at work because at this stage baby is still so teeny, it's only when I'm still or relaxing when I notice it more!!!

Thanks all, I'm 22+4 with an anterior placenta so fingers crossed it will be soon!

Good luck for your scan today @peachgreen

Does anyone know whether we will pay tax on our maternity pay ( i will only be getting smp)

@Gemxo in theory tax and national insurance will be deducted, so when you're on the 6 weeks at 90% pay it will be roughly the same amount of tax and NI deducted as usual, but once it goes down to £140 per week you're under the tax threshold so nothing should be deducted (although this will depend on everyone's individual tax circumstances - worth checking with your work's payroll person).

If you contribute to a work pension then this will usually continue to be deducted at the same % rate (e.g. if you pay 3% of your normal salary, you'll pay 3% of your maternity pay), but your employer keeps paying contributions at the same level as if you were being paid your full salary.

(I am a geek about maternity finances, sorry! I have a spreadsheet and everything )