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 💛

@Inmypjsagain I do have a week off in the middle of July to split it up but would rather days off in between days working. I'm doing mostly every weekend too so hardly getting to spend time with OH before baby is here which is upsetting. The weekends are our busiest days too which makes it even worse 😩

I'm going to get on the phone to the nursery ASAP!!

I can’t bring myself to contact nurseries yet either, will definitely do so soon after the birth and hopefully that will be ok! I’m planning on having around 12 months off altogether, but that will be including annual leave. I do have a friend that planned to have a year off though and ended up going back after about 8/9 months as she was ready to go back by then so will see what happens!

I’m 32+1 and I’ve just come back from a scan to check the position of my low lying placenta. It’s still low lying and I’ve been told I need a re-scan in 2 weeks. If it hasn’t moved by then, then I’m looking at a C-Section, which I really don’t want 😫 has anyone had their placenta move so late and been able to avoid a c-section ???

I'm topic of maternity leave - as I'm WFH I'm prob going to take a week of AL before my due date then I'll be taking 12 months off - I have quite a good maternity package of 26 weeks full pay, 13 weeks stat and then 13 weeks unpaid. During the unpaid I'll be using my AL left over from this year and KIT days etc. I've been saving as much money as possible so I can manage to take the full 12 months.

I'm in different circumstances to a lot of you, being that I split with my partner before finding out I was pregnant so have issues when it comes to childcare costs etc - I need to go back to work after the 12 months however not sure yet what I'll do when it comes to childcare as the costs are insane - especially living in London!!!

@lucyrp Even with a week off I don’t know how you’re doing it!!

@Daffodil21 sorry didn’t mean to scare you with nurseries 😂 I’m in London if that makes a difference!

@MM1993 no experience but fingers crossed you can avoid the c section if that’s what you want! And yeah childcare costs are ridiculous, range between 85-105 a day which boggles my mind! Hope your ex partner will help you out with some costs!

@Daffodil21 definitely can't hurt to call to ask when you need to look, but I wouldn't get too worried! Mine was busy because it's a very little nursery (only 40 odd children all the way from the baby room up to 4/5 years old) and has the best outside space of any near us, I know other local ones aren't so competitive (we're also rural but I think not quite as rural as you).

@Inmypjsagain those costs are eye watering!! Mine is £70 a day for full days and I've been moaning about that!

@biscuitcat I'm moaning about £38-40 nursery fees a day 😳🤣

I've just checked the website and it's for children aged 2-5 so looks like I've got a bit more time to play with!! Not sure what the options are for under 2...

I'm actually not sure what I'm going to do after SMP stops tbh. We are trying to save as much of it as we can so that when it ends in March (not may, as originally intended 🙄) we won't be completely desperate if I can't find work straight away. I'm half expecting to do bar work or something in evenings if needed rather than what I've trained to do, but we'll see what's about. I could always set up on my own but im not sure I want to juggle that with a baby tbh!

Hi girls! Lots to catch up on!

I've registered my baby boy at the nursery this week.

I'm planning to take 9 months + accrued annual leave which will likely take me till June. Then we will see, if we can afford it, DH might go on SPL for a few weeks which would be unpaid.

I had my diabetes appointment today, specialist MW, dietician, then standard MW. They were very thorough which I'm glad about, but goodness me, I was there for nearly 3 hours 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ I lost so much work time this week due to hospital appointments that I physically can't catch up anymore. I am exhausted, I'll be off to bed now.

So I am now testing my glucose levels with a special device, got to pin prick my fingers 6 times a day, draw some blood, test, register the results via an app and the specialist MW is reviewing them. I've been extremely good since Friday and I am pleased to say I've managed the whole day today without a single glucose high, so I must be doing something right 😊 I hope this continues and that I can avoid medication...and that DS grows at a normal pace rather than too fast. Let's make it till 39 weeks 🙏

However, I was so shit at testing today to begin with...all my fingers are swollen, I just couldn't make it work! It took me about 10 attempts before it finally worked! Phew 💙

Hope you're all having a nice evening xx

I think I'll end up taking about 9 months in total - I only get 16 weeks full pay! Luckily as I've WFH over covid I think I will only have to be in the office 2-3 days a week when I return. I'm
99% sure we will go with a childminder for childcare - I would only need mornings as my fiancée works nights snd will be childcare from 1pm!
I'm really hoping I don't need to book in childminders till nearer the time... I'm hoping I can hold off till after Xmas to decide!

@ame88 are you in the uk? 16 weeks full pay sounds good to me! Mine was just the complete basic SMP so 6 weeks at 90% pay then the £151 per week afterwards. I wouldn't have got anymore if I hadn't resigned either. Wouldn't have expected anymore from my old boss 😂 it still comes via my payslip from him but he claims it back so he's not actually paying me himself after I've resigned.

@PurplePansy05 well done on keeping your glucose level low for the day! Hopefully that can continue and you won't need meds

@biscuitcat yeah, makes me wonder if it’s worth going back to work really, but it’s regional pricing I suppose. We did look at a nursery in a different postcode that was a bit cheaper but we figured convenience rules (and hopefully more time in bed?) over having to drive to do a drop off and pick up whilst trying to fit in our normal commutes- I can already imagine the bad mood I’d be in stuck in traffic before having to get the office! I did wonder if I’d accidentally picked fancy nurseries but they were the local ones 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Daffodil21 being your own boss sounds great, stressful but good! I just never realised how bad smp was until I did the math. It’s less than minimum wage! How is that allowed? And then paternity leave being 2 weeks.. when recovery from a c section is 6 weeks?!? Ugh.

@PurplePansy05 I was wondering how you’re getting on. Sounds pretty unpleasant but worthwhile, glad you’re getting the hang of the testing and fingers crossed for stable sugars with no highs!

I’m in bed with legs on 3 pillows trying to get the swelling down while watching love island. I reckon I’ll be asleep in half an hour!

@PurplePansy05 that's a lot to deal with!

I've just been out for a lovely walk. Only 30 minutes but it was a bit of a struggle. I really need to be better with my exercise. There are some lovely walks right on my doorstep so I aim to go out every day when on maternity leave from next week. I easily become a hermit and just stay inside if not prodded to go out.

I feel quite lucky with my mat leave with 6 months full pay. But that's half the reason I stayed in this job.

I'd like my wee one to go to a nursery with as many other kids as possible as we only plan to have 1 and I worry that we are both quite introverted so I need her to socialise as much as possible!

I've just googled the price of a nursery near me and nearly fell off my chair 🤣 - this can't be real life ???

@MM1993 don't forget to check whether you'll be entitled to any benefits as this can really help with the cost of childcare. Great point to get your ex involved in this decision as well and the costs of childcare. He's responsible for 50% of the cost as well so make sure you don't overlook that. It doesn't matter what your contact arrangements will be.

@Ready2020 they do say walking is useful when trying to start labour but it doesn't work as well if you've been walking regularly up until 37 ish weeks so if you wanted to try that to bring labour on I'd maybe refrain from
Regular walking until you're at that stage. That's what I'm doing 😂 I'm dying to go out for a walk every night even though I'm so tired but leaving it for a couple of weeks to get the real benefit from it 😂

Was also really looking forward to a callus peel I had booked in for my heels today as I'm on my feet in my job all day I've developed really hard skin which I haven't kept on top of and its irritating me now so wanted to get rid before baby comes, was booked in and Everutning and she's messaged me to say you're not allowed to have it while pregnant 😔 what can I do about these horrible feet 😡

@PurplePansy05 glad you’re all set with regular monitoring, I’m told you get used to the finger pricks - at least you’ve not got too long to do them for!

@lucyrp - cream with 40-50% Urea in, put it on before bed, ideally with socks on your feet too. Give it 1-2 weeks and should work!

I think when I looked at nursery it was about £900/m - that was for 3 days, both hoping to go to 4 days a week.

Mat pay is so variable isn’t it? Agree that paternity should be more like 6 weeks given recovery time for c section. OH has managed to roll over 10days holiday, so he’s planning on taking 4 weeks.

@HopefulB I shall have a look! My OH is just taking his paternity as 2 weeks of holiday as we can't afford the 2 weeks of paternity pay as that's shocking too 🙄

DH's paternity is paid in full but that's only because it's topped up by his employer. £150 a week of maternity or paternity is a joke after how much tax and NI I've paid over the years, but there we are. Luckily my first 12 weeks are on full pay (enhanced by my employer), so a fair bit of that will be saved for later.

@MM1993 Yes, that's very similar to my costs and quite normal sadly. 20% of that up to £2k pa will be reduced via Govt tax free childcare, don't forget to register. And when they turn 3, they will be entitled to free 30 hours per week, at least that's the case in Wales, I think in England there might be some extra freebies for 2 yo as well, correct me if I'm wrong.

Out of curiosity, how long do young kids spend in school these days, I mean 4 yo? How long is a school day when they start? I'm out of touch and just curious xx

Oh and thank you girls for the cheer on my GD testing front, @HopefulB you're exactly right, I think I got my head around it a bit better yesterday after trial and error and a panicked call to the diabetes MW when I hit my hangry stage and still couldn't take the reading 😂 I did it myself eventually, but she called back later and gave me some tips.

I now need to go back and forth to my GP as well to collect needles and testing strips. I kind of think with this number of appointments life would be much easier on maternity leave...am seriously considering asking to start it early, but then I know I'll be annoyed with myself for not perservering now. I am wfh and might push it for these final few weeks, I wouldn't if I was in the office though xx

The primary on our road is 9-3, with 2 options for breakfast clubs before school and after school club 3-6.

[quote Daffodil21]@ame88 are you in the uk? 16 weeks full pay sounds good to me! Mine was just the complete basic SMP so 6 weeks at 90% pay then the £151 per week afterwards. I wouldn't have got anymore if I hadn't resigned either. Wouldn't have expected anymore from my old boss 😂 it still comes via my payslip from him but he claims it back so he's not actually paying me himself after I've resigned.

@PurplePansy05 well done on keeping your glucose level low for the day! Hopefully that can continue and you won't need meds[/quote]
Oh wow I should count myself lucky then! In comparison to other companies in my field mine isn't actually competitive.

@PurplePansy05 our nursery school which ds starts in September is only 2.5 hours so he will be going 1130-2 each day. (So age 3-4years) We are fortunate in that my mum will take him around that once finished maternity leave. There's a shortage of places for this age in my area (and has been for at least 15 years! So they all went dual day to fit more kids in so first session is 930-11 then second is 1130-2)
When he moves to the primary next year then he will be in 830-130 (age 4-5). There's no varied school start here in NI. You start nursery school the school year you turn 4 (ds won't be 4 to March so one of the youngest) and P1 in primary the school year you turn 5. You also have to start at the beginning of the school year so September. Preschool year isn't compulsory but free and considered essential really.

Our creche fees were just over £940 for ds for full time but that was after 10% discount.

We are both school based here so we don't get the option of accruing holiday on maternity leave unfortunately

@lucyrp my husband is doing the same. We would have to dip into our small amount of savings if he were to take paternity which we really want to save for when SMP runs out in March if needed. We're trying to just live off his wages atm to see if we can and save everything I bring in. Day to day seems ok, it's just the extras that always seem to crop up each month that we've used some of my income for. Which is totally fine as the money is there atm, but it will run out pretty fast I imagine!

These nursery fees are ridiculous. I refuse to work to basically pay for nursery fees which is why I think I'll end up doing evening work for a bit if needed, as at least I can pocket what I earn then rather than it going on child care. I personally have no intention going back to work full time with a baby, but I think I'll have to sort something out! There's a little side line thing I'm going to try but I know I can't rely on it!

@PurplePansy05 I have to say, I have no regrets taking my maternity leave early. I don't have to put up with work stress at all and I feel totally relaxed which is lovely, and also super important to me now we've got this far (happy 34 weeks btw!!). if you feel you want to take it early, and you're in a position to then go for it! (I may not be saying this come March!)