Due May 2020 (thread 5)

[sao81]

Carrying on from thread 4!

@mintbear good on you!! I like organising and shopping from a list so in the hard days of pregnancy I have taken some enjoyment in buying up some items and ticking off my list!

My employers are being as unhelpful as usual and no one can seem to tell me whether I can get a company car allowance (my preferred choice) and hand back my work car.... face palm! But did grow a set and told them if I don't have an answer by Monday I will be contacting maternity action for guidance which did seem to provoke some responsive noises.. watch this space!

@helpasisterout good on you! When are you planning on starting your mat leave?
I have a choice to get car allowance as extra salary rather than using it on a car. For mat leave I get 18wks full pay, then go to stat pay but I know my car allowance is paid throughout which is a nice extra.

I'm using holiday from 1st March then starting mat leave from 1st April so I've only got the rest of feb to go!

@helpasisterout good on you. There’s no reason for them to keep delaying giving you answer to these things, it’s unreasonable.

I thought I was super organised but you ladies are way ahead of me! I’ve written a list tonight of all the bits I need to get, it’s mostly hospital bag things as I’ve got most things (I’m definitely getting as much as possible whilst I’ve got a salary coming in - ladies on enhanced maternity packages, I hope you know how lucky you are! 😭)

Sorry I've been away, ive pulled a tendon in my wrist doing the screws on flatpack - the only thing I've been able to contribute whilst decorating and I injure myself 🤦‍♀️ still awaiting blood results, see my midwife next week I'm excited to hear little mans heartbeat! We have booked our newborn photoshoot and a 4D scan for the end of feb, so lots to look forward too whilst I'm feeling run down.

@123Pandy I've gained around a stone so far. I gained just under 3 stone previous pregnancy, but lost 23lb of that within 2 weeks of delivery. Alot of the weight will be baby,placenta, fluid etc so don't worry too much about the scales!
@Purple29 I've noticed the odd pile, I've heard its a relatively normal part of pregnancy, even if it is awkward to talk about!
@facevalue we have the same crib! I havent put it up yet as we are decorating, but cannot wait to see it in our room.
@helpasisterout we have no nursery, as in a 2 bed house so our kids will share until we have a deposit to buy our forever home, but we have just got a bigger wardrobe and he now has his own fully stocked clothes rail! His nan has been stocking up each week for us on wipes, nappies, creams etc. We have our pram, car seat, crib, moses basket and swing chair all sorted too! Just need a changing bag and some sleepsuits vests and bibs but pretty much good to go 😬

Has anyone else sorted there mat leave? My manager still hasnt submitted the stuff to HR, from what I've read it has to be notified by 15th feb (15 weeks before ewc). I gave her everything before Christmas I wish I could do it myself. I've booked annual leave from 3rd April to 20th April,then start mat leave. Hes not due until 26th May but with the way my SPD is going my midwife has said theres a good chance I'll be induced at 37 weeks,which is 5th May 😬. Luckily I get 6 months full salary, and with accrued annual leave and bank holidays it'll be February before my money stops, so hoping to go back then. Is anyone taking the full year?

@helpasisterout well done you👍🏼😘 do you want to hear something ridiculous!😑😓 because i had a miscarriage in may 😞 i'm completely terrified of getting attached and i'm superstitious so i would only buy things literally 2 weeks before the due date. we already have most things from my DD who is 2.5 so counting on that😥 anyone else slightly superstitious? i also usually don't buy baby clothes for a baby shower i would buy a gift for the mum and a voucher for the baby or a practical thing🥴 ...

@facevalue I wont keep the pram under the same roof as us until hes due to arrive. My nan told me its bad luck when I had my first and its stuck with me! Since my first I also get mums a baby shower gift for them, as I remember when I had her someone got me a little smelly set some chocs and pjs and it felt nice for someone to actually remember about me for once! So I like to pass that on

Hey ladies! Just catching up!

So now I feel over organised... as our nursery is done minus some personal bits which I'm leaving until he / she is here. We have all toiletries, all clothes have been washed and we are literally done bar cooking this baby! I'm like this in life anyway but I've been spending my evenings just faffing bedside it's helped with my anxiety at work. Being in the nursery seems to be the only thing that chills me out of an evening!

I handed my notice in today and feel so much better. My mental health has been really struggling with all of the pressure at work (see previous posts) and my midwife advised to get off ASAP so come a few weeks time I can finally relax and get rid of all the bad energy...

Big love to everyone xx

@sao81hey I’ve noticed u have SPD too! How are u coping?

I’m so new to this group and trying to catch up is confusing me so much. Where is everyone from? I’m due 22nd May 2nd baby xx

Hey all struggling to sleep so thought I would pop in

@Sao81 I'm also being induced around 5th May at 37 weeks
Also RE mat leave, I read the same about 15 weeks before but a lot of people don't get their mat b form till later which is needed to submit to my HR dept.
I'm in a similar position to you, finishing up on 20th March, two weeks holiday, mat leave starts mid April. Full pay for 6 months. I'm planning on taking 52 weeks mat leave and then holidays (6 weeks) and bank holidays (7 days) will be added to the end. So I'll be paid full for 6 months, stat for 3, nothing for 3 then 7 weeks 2 days holiday pay.
I summarised all to my manager and asked them to acknowledge before submitting to HR but they have been a bit funny about me 'extending my leave after 52 weeks' which is completely in line with policy which I'd stated in my email (also they should be reading the policy as a line manager). So I've just submitted it and kept a copy of emails for my own records.
Hope your manager acts soon, it's them that will be left in the lurch without backfill etc.

So many people who are so organised! I'm in the "still plenty of time" camp I don't think we need to buy much as we have things packed away from when my son was a baby - and I'm sure my mum will buy more clothes, whether we need them or not

We're in the process of renovating our house, so that's also partly why I'm putting it off. Perhaps when we get our bedroom sorted then I'll feel more organised! Speaking of bedrooms - is anyone still bedsharing with first DC? I'm still thinking about how to manage toddler and new baby!

I was thinking about preparing some meals to go in the freezer, mainly things that my toddler will eat so it's easier for whoever looks after my son when I go into labour (mum or MIL, depending on when things get started). Has anyone done this? Any recommendations?

@AlmostAlwyn I'm the same with clothes, not bought a lot as I know people will buy and my mum has been buying nappies every time she nips to the shops!

I don't have and other children but I'm planning on batch cooking when my mat leaves starts. It'll be handy for the first couple of weeks once we're home from hospital.

Been a while since I posted. My two extra growth scans have been cancelled as apparently they do not do them now for single artery umbilical cords (someone needs to tell the sonograph person!). They have evidence it doesn't make much difference. I have a 24hr heart monitor going on Wednesday to check my palpations too. Anyone else feel their own fast heartbeat a lot?

Oh and I haven't brought anything but have sorted though my sons old 0-3 clothes to wash. I feel like it will jinx me if I buy anything so wait until a lot closer like I did with my first.

@mrsf1204 I'm glad your feeling abit better after all the issues with work you've had xx
@Lindacraig14 hi! Not too good, having ok days and bad days, but it's been getting me down as feel like I can't fully look after my 2 yr old anymore. Also cant use my crutches as ive got a splint on my wrist so its too difficult. The support belt does help abit though! How have you found it?
@Jemstar33 aah they could end up sharing a birthday! How exciting. I've literally had to get the guidance, print it and show her it so she knows what to do as shes only been a manager for 6 months. I thought she'd be the one looking into it bit clearly not, think I'll start an email trail too so i can show it was all documented.

Wow, a bit jealous of all of you finishing work in late March!
I am due May 21 and planning to work pretty much until the end depending on how I'll feel!

@mintbear our holiday calendar year is June-June so I'm just planning to use 18ish days holiday so finish on 24th April and start mat leave on due date on 20th May - hopefully this all works out fine. I only work week days so it's actually not that many working days left!

@almostalwyn I was thinking of doing the same cooking some meals for the freezer that would easily be reheated when the baby arrives. Maybe bolognese etc! Been watching 'the batch lady' on YouTube for ideas!

@Sao81 I know, how lovely! Will keep in touch and let you know. I'm not being induced sorry I'm having an elective section (twins). Yes would defo get an audit trail going via email. Good luck, keep at her!

I’m itching to start sorting the house out but I have no energy in the evenings after work! The tiredness has come back with a vengeance! Just can’t wait to go off on 3rd April. As long as baby isn’t early I should have 4-6 weeks to prepare then. My in laws are coming down in a couple of weekends time to help us build the nursery furniture. After that I can start sorting out what I’ve got and what I still need to get 😊

I’m due 23rd May, work sorted all my maternity a couple of weeks ago. Our holiday year runs April to April, they are letting me carry over a few hours from this year so will only have to work one shift for the last two weeks and then officially start Mat leave on 25th April. Can’t wait!!
Got 4 boxes of clothes out of the loft last week to sort through, didn’t realise I had actually kept so much! Baby definitely won’t need anything for the first 6 months!! Although I have bought a few new bits too. Trying to buy everything we need before I start mat leave as money is going to be extremely tight and I’m hoping I can take 9 months. The last 3 will be stat pay only which won’t even cover our debts but I refuse to go back to work before Christmas! So 9 months will take me to the end of jan, and then I can use my 8 weeks annual leave and go back at the end of March. Will have to see how it goes though.
Car is going to the garage today, praying and praying it won’t be a write off 🤞🏻

im meant to be finishing work the 6th May but doubt I’m even gonna make it that far! I’m struggling to even get out of bed of a morning. I’m due back at work tomoz after being signed off for 3w already relating to the SPD.

@sao81 I’m struggling tbh. Support band isn’t doing much tbh don’t know how I’m gonna manage work tomoz (I work in a large busy nursery on the 2nd & 3rd floor). My hubby is so supportive tho saying I need to try and rest but it’s so hard when I have a very active toddler who barely naps in the day.

We have gone from owning nothing, to having all main items in a week (we were told to expect an 8 week delivery date and it arrived a few days later). Cot now set up in our room as wanted to make sure nothing was missing from the delivery, drawers in spare bedroom so now finally somewhere to put baby stuff. Car seat and pram have been tested they fit in car and in spare room for now. Haven't really got any smaller bits like clothing yet, plan to get next month.

Official Due date 2nd May, but scan a few days age showing a few weeks ahead, and the consultant said anytime from April 20th Likely.

Does anyone elses Dh travel a fair bit? Slightly worried that DH will be overseas until March 28th, so potentially 3-4 weeks before delivery. We have no family here.

And anyone on 2/3/4th baby, could you drive up until due date? Im literally trapped at home if i can't drive

@Almostalwyn I'm the same with being organised, still have a bit to get done and we get the keys for our new house this week, and then got some decorating and upgrading to get done. Hoping to be in for mid march and then I will sort everything out for may.

@woollycat I'm also jealous of everyone breaking off so early. I'm due 19th and working right up till 38 weeks!!!

@Caspianberg I had no problem driving late in pregnancy, but I suppose it depends how big your bump gets and how comfortable (physically) you are behind the wheel

I work from home and so far planning on working up to my due date approximately. I can accept or refuse work as I want though so I'll see how it goes!

@AlmostAlwyn - thanks, that's good to hear. Bump is fairly neat atm at nearly 28 weeks, but no idea what will happen in next few weeks I guess