Due August 2021 - Third Trimester!

[Daffodil21]

Not totally up to date, sorry!

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@ready2020 - EDD 4 August, Girl 💖
@Xaxnxdxrxexaxandrews87 - EDD 4 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, Girl 💖
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@Winecoffeeteamum - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@ava50x - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@Ghhh - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, Girl 💖
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

A slightly random question I've been wondering about - what do you do if you're in the middle of breastfeeding and desperately need a wee?

@biscuitcat is it like when your cat gets really comfy on you and you need the loo but they're so cute so you just let them stay until you're about to burst?

No, not quite the same? 😂😂

You develop a bladder of steel :o

No but that is a genuine hazard. Once you've got the hang of it a bit if you have a genuinely velcro baby, you can just carry them with you and wee with them still attached but it's awkward.

Generally after a while they will fall asleep or go into little flutter sucking and then you can hand them to someone else or put them down. They might cry, but it only takes a couple of minutes to go for a wee, so it's not a bad thing to just do that and then go back and pick them up again. I probably developed speed wee tendencies.

Remember though when not pregnant it is normally possible to hold wee for several hours if you need to. But I'd recommend not being completely beholden to your baby for every bodily function. I did that with my first and it wasn't the best. It's ok for them to have to wait sometimes.

Exactly like that daffodil!

Oh I can't wait to not have to pee every 5 minutes or to not have to hold my stomach when getting up as it is too heavy or to take 5 minutes to turn around in bed 😂

Ugh I am feeling so exhausted and out of it. Pregnancy brain is taking over but I've been in a new job for the past month and am just counting down the minutes to maternity leave. Is anyone struggling this week?

@WolfMother326 Oh My God me! I started this role mid April and now I'm so over it as I've got pregnancy brain, not sleeping at night. Eyes burning etc. I called in sick a day last week but don't want them to think am taking the piss. I am genuinely struggling so I've put a meeting for later today to speak to my manager. 4.5 weeks before I go off on 1 week of annual leave and then Mat leave x

I’m fortunate to have a good AL allowance, so I have dropped to 4 days a week, and from next week will be 3 days a week for the last 5weeks, then 3 full weeks off before due date, would defo be struggling with full weeks and anything other than desk work.

Went to the pool this morning- used a pull buoy, and it was a relegation! Actually felt like swimming rather than dragging myself through the water.

@Daffodil21 😂 that's exactly how I was imagining it actually!! Thank you Bertie that's helpful - I think I'd almost forgotten what a normal weeing schedule is like now I'm so used to going every 5 minutes...

@WolfMother326 yes, really struggling now - work is mega busy and I'm utterly exhausted which is just not a fun combination. Three weeks tomorrow till I finish, can't wait!

@Whatshouldbemyusername and @biscuitcat glad I'm not the only one! I have 5 weeks left after this week, with a plan to finish at 38 weeks. But I've scheduled 4 days of annual leave in the middle of July so that I can set up some nursery stuff and sort things out (and just nap).

@HopefulB great that you're swimming! I've been going 2-3x a week and it helps so much. My body seems to hurt less afterwards.

Also curious - how long is everyone planning to take off work? 9 months? the full 12 months? less?

@WolfMother326 I was planning on taking 12 months, but then I resigned soooop 🙄🙈

Will just play by ear now and see what's about!

Also going swimming 3x a week but doing a pathetic number of lengths so not sure if it counts!

I'm hoping to go back to work in about June - but I don't really know because I don't have a nursery place for LO yet and neither do I really know what's happening with my old job. So it might all be a bit up in the air.

@WolfMother326 currently planning on 12 months because my nursery place is only from September 2022! But I've asked to see if I can go on a waiting list maybe for a June start in case I want to go back earlier. My NCT group is ranging from 6 months or so, to not going back at all

Very impressed with you ladies swimming multiple times a week. Everything takes so long at the moment, that I have only managed more than once a week when I’ve had leave.

I was going to take 9months with OH taking the last 3, but as the finance team were so I’ve put in 12months to be able to get cover.

I can’t bring myself to call a nursery until baby is here - just seems weird. So fingers crossed I can get a place!

Impressed by those managing swimming! The thought of it is daunting...

Just got the results from my last bloods taken at midwife appointment. My iron has dropped to 92, despite being on iron tablets for the last 3 months. So I guess that's why i'm feeling so completely bloody knackered... Waiting for call from GP now to discuss what to do going forward.

Anyway hope everyone's doing well-as well as can be when you're fed up with being pregnant!

I know the topic of cots and stuff has been discussed earlier, I'm wondering if anyone has gone for the Babylo next2me equivalent? I was checking it on Amazon, its a fraction of the price and the reviews seem good. I don't actually "need" a new cot but haven't got a bedside sleeper so debating whether to get one or not. If anyone has this one, please let me know if you're happy with it- or the look of it at least. TIA!

I'm taking 9 months plus any annual leave at the end. OH is taking 1 month after that, non paid. We just couldn't afford the other 2 months un paid unfortunately. Even going back 3 days a week will make a difference money wise.

I'd really like to take this opportunity to find another job (still within the government but part time) and also spend a day a week doing my embroidery business, with doing local classes. I'm probably kidding myself that this is the best time but I'm so happy to finish up my policy job that it's a sign that I'm not really that keen on it!

I'm currently planning a 9 month maternity leave, but to be honest I'm not sure if I want to come back to this job. I've been working here for 8 years and now there's been major change in management and i'm not really happy to be working in this very stressful environment anymore. But I'm not sure- keeping my options open for now and I guess we'll see closer to the time...

@WolfMother326 currently planning 12 but I’ll also have over a month of holidays to use before I’m allowed back so might end at 11 and go back for 12 months but allows my husband to take that month off too but I’ll be off and be paid full, we’ll see nearer the time etc.

@Ava50x I haven’t got one but we’ve chosen the babylo bouncer which has come as it was a gift which seems really good but also got my eye on the babylo snug sleeper which isn’t a next to me but a larger Moses basket as I’m personally warey of a next to me in case my duvet end ups in there as I’m not the most still when sleeping.

@Ava50x I got a snuz pod from sister in law that she used for her boys. Looks in good condition still. Its this one -

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/snuzpod-4-bedside-crib-natural-e7385.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwrPCGBhALEiwAUl9X062wVoYBngAN54A3ATgOE_KnKFKUIEgJJJXjcFTN7qwmWsQK6g1yXhoCU7AQAvD_BwE

It's in our bedroom already but being used as a clothes horse 😏

@HopefulB @Ava50x I only do 10 lengths at a time so not sure that really counts 😂 I'm also not working anymore - I don't think I'd be able to do it if I was!

@HopefulB I also can't bring myself to phone a nursery yet - it just feels too weird. I'm in quite a rural area though so I can't imagine it would get booked up quickly??

I'll be taking to December just.. Dh will then take to March .. We can't afford more than that.

I don't be looking for nursery until baby arrives but I don't think it will be an issue here in ni.

Ds has just had his last day at crèche. I cried picking him up. Anyone elses emotions all over the show?

You're all lucky 😅 I have 2 5 day weeks and 2 6 day weeks before I go off on maternity 😰

I was only going to take 4.5 months as I get enhanced maternity pay for that long then it goes down to statutory and we can't afford that however OH has now more money so we can afford for me to have the 9 months off. I actually accrue around 30 days holiday while off on maternity too which I might use to take me to July for my return date as it's currently the middle of may. I'm also unsure of wanting to return to this job but I actually have to for 4.5 months otherwise I have to pay back my enhanced maternity. I will definitely be using the time to look for something else though but unsure I'll find anything as close with such good benefits. A better manager would be nicer though 😅

I checked with my local nursery when do I need to register and they said I don't need to call them back until at least november/ December !

@BertieBotts what are you going back and forth on the birth? Hope you’re feeling stressed now!

@lucyrp those shifts sound horrible and I really salute you because I’d be so moody. My Mat leave starts end of July but I’m asking my boss if I can take some annual leave before because I’m really struggling- concentration and aches 😭

I think I’m taking the longest leave out of everyone so far! So trying to take 2 weeks leave before my Mat leave, then a full year Mat leave (I get statutory only but I’ve been saving to try and account for the time off) plus my full year’s leave from this year, as the 2 weeks I’d be using next month pulled over from last year. So all in I will have 13 months and 3 weeks off if I’ve worked it out correctly. I imagine gojng back to work will be a shock. This is all subject to me actually enjoying Mat leave and not having to go back earlier than planned for financial reasons!

I’ve been looking at the babylo too because I don’t get why all these beds are so expensive!

And nurseries, we’re already signed up for September 2022! They stopped taking applications for then last week. Madness.

And @Ava50x wow you must be knackered. Hope that iron kicks in!!!