April 2022 Birth Club

[littleacceb]

Hello and congratulations, lovely lot.

It's been a bumpy road so DP and I aren't telling anyone until late September. But I need to talk to someone!!!

How are you?

@wannabeamummysobad I can understand your worries here, having been in a similar position when pregnant with my DD in 2015. I was 34 and a senior mgr in a global financial services firm. I told them at 14 weeks after my dating scan and found myself cut out of meetings immediately and subject to comments from senior individuals like "I was really disappointed when the government increased statutory paid maternity leave from 6 to 9 months, it just sends women the message that it's ok to take loads of time off on a baby holiday". I was also asked if I'd be opting for a 'mummy track' role when I returned from maternity leave, ie something part time with little prospect of progression. I'd worked there 10 years by that point and was a strong performer with multiple promotions under my belt. When I returned I had a very difficult negotiation to secure a 4-day week and was then expected to perform a full time role (and then some) in that time. It broke me in the end and I left, having spent a year of my weekly 'days off' fielding calls and emails.

What I learnt from all of that was that I did myself a disservice by failing to speak up to HR and call out that behaviour / treatment, and by allowing my boundaries to be crossed. I didn't have the fight in me because I was ill in my pregnancy and knackered when I returned. I absolutely wouldn't stand for it now, BUT I also think it's not representative of the majority in my circle anyway - certainly most of the mums I know and have met since have had positive experiences and have continued to be valued and included at work during and after pregnancy.

I would go ahead and tell them as soon as you're ready and kick off the recruitment process, but be savvy about knowing your rights.

@Eanrcs88 I wish you had worked in my HR team when I was expecting before! Great advice

@Eanrcs88 @BooSaidTheGhost thank you both for your responses.
Boos experience is basically my worse case scenario but I don't think my company would be as blatant as that (sometimes think being obvious in the discrimination is better as the I'd have evidence) but you are both right I think. I'm a smart and accomplished woman and whatever happens my career will be fine I'll just make sure to document if I see changes in leaderships responses to me etc.
My NHS scan is next week so once I get the all clear 🤞🏼let my manager know and go from there.
Thanks again ladies

Good luck @wannabeamummysobad

Is anyone else starting to notice a tiny bump? I’m a UK size 16-18 and 5’4” so i thought i would show later but i’ve got the start of a bump and i’m so excited!

@hol56 yes but this is baby number 2 for me. I’ll be 15 weeks on Sunday. I’m defo showing a baby bump already which is great as I’m passed that frumpy stage already ☺️

@hol56 yep I'm showing a tiny bump too, but it definitely is smaller when I wake up and gradually gets bigger during the the day and after eating.

This is baby #1 for me and when i suck my stomach in there’s so much that just won’t budge and it’s so cute, it’s so hard too it’s amazing what my body is doing, i’m absolutely in awe. I think i’m feeling small movements however due to being so early and my first i’m unsure

Hi @Ladder789! I'm also expecting twins - and identical ones at that! I think I'm 15+6 today and quite uncomfortable and getting quite the bump already. How are you doing? Do you know what type of twins you're having?

Can't believe there's more twins in here. The mumsnet group I found with my firstborn hasn't had any twins at all!

@Ladder789 and @llamabeans congrats in your twins. 🥰 llamabeans were you the one that guessed you were having twins before you knew for sure? There was another lady on here who said she was sure she was having twins too ... I wonder is she a twin mom too ? Can’t remember who it was.

Is everyone vaccinated against covid ? I have my first jab on sat as I was scared to get it whilst pregnant but then I saw a story about a healthy young pregnant woman who died of covid 2 weeks after having her baby girl and it changed my mind. Did anyone who got it while pregnant have any side affects so far ? Thanks ladies x

I had my first one before I was pregnant but had my second when I was around 7-8 weeks pregnant, I didn’t have any side affects with my first one but my second knocked me off my feet for almost 48hrs. I was exhausted the day after it and literally slept all afternoon/evening and then night. My husband said he’d never seen me like that before.

I really need to book and go for my flu jab. @FinnsMammy

Good luck for the COVID one, you’ll be absolutely fine I’m sure.

I had pfizer too.

@llamabeans
I am feeling rough today to be honest.
I had a tiny bleed last night and some very low pelvic area pain.
This has happened a couple of times but each time the cervix was closed and babs were fine.
Gynae team can't say where it comes from 🤷🏻‍♀️

I am just a nervous wreck. After a number of ectopics & losses in the past I can't help it.

I feel a good bit of pain / pressure in general on the pubic bone area.
And yep... bump has been around for a while ☺. It has changed though from bloat more so, to bump in recent weeks.

The babs are def not identical :2 sacs, and I am praying my next scan shows 2 placentas - that would be ideal but the way I feel today I just want to see both strong and healthy.
9w scan was very good thank god

How was the first trimester for you?
You must have done your announcements now have you?
I am waiting until Halloween , just over 14 weeks on the 31st 🤗

@FinnsMammy
I had the first before falling pregnant....
I am v nervous about getting the 2nd but like you I think it's better to do so.
I am going to wait until 14 weeks however.
That was the original advice so I am just going to stick with that.

Not much socialising happening currently anyway as I am hiding a growing bump until official announcement ☺

@Staryflight445 thanks for the advice best book it in for a weekend then when I can rest. I was also advised on Tuesday to get the whooping cough and flu vaccine but only after 20 weeks. @Ladder789 same here I’m sticking with the original advice I’ll be 15 weeks on Sunday! I had a tiny bleed with my son at 9 weeks it was a tiny sch and it cleared up on its own. I had him in Dubai and the doctors advised me to rest for 10 days. When I spotted before my mc I was told no reason for the spotting but when I got the scan pics I could see 2 tiny sch in the pic. When I found out I miscarried a few weeks later I asked the doctor she said yes there are 3 schs on here but they don’t tell you about sch in Ireland before 12 weeks ..., I really don’t know why! It could be an sch just take it easy for the next week or so xx

Sorry the above was for @llamabeans re sch not @Ladder789.

@Ladder789 Quite a lot of pelvic pain here too. Hoping everything is all okay for you and the bleeding isn't anything more. Totally get why you're nervous. When is your next scan? Keep me posted on how things are going, always here for a hand hold if you need one.

I have two sacs but one placenta - that's how they know they're identical. It is possible to have identicals with two sacs! I have my first consultant appointment on Tuesday to have a scan and talk through everything properly. Then it'll be scans every two weeks to monitor growth, on top of all the usual antenatal appointments.

Have told all my family but am yet to tell work. I've been waiting for the consultant to tell me what to expect so I have a bit more info to give to my boss about when I'll be off. I've still been mostly working from home, though, so it's not been an issue.

I really want to get vaccinated now that I'm out of the first trimester but have a fear something will go wrong. Possibly in the third trimester with all the other vaccines.

I had an appointment with the obstetrics yesterday at hospital due to mums history of pre eclampsia and although my blood pressure was fine now and at before appointments, I've been prescribed 5 months supply of aspirin to take twice before bed

Afternoon ladies! Is it too late to join?!?x

Gals
What is sch? Excuse my ignorance 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yeah someone actually just told me the same thing about the 2 sacs and the possibility of identical. But I had IVF and 2 embryos were transferred.

Next scan is tomorrow and god am I a mix or worry and hope!
Scans every 2 weeks is great!
My first consultant meeting is not until October 27th so we will chat then about things. There is a history of preclampsia and GD in my family so I hope they see me regularly.
I have been on aspirin since a couple of days after transfer and I really feel it has helped.

@KikiOB

Of course not...long road yet.
How far along are u?

Good luck tomorrow @Ladder789 . I understand how you feel- mine is on Wednesday (I had private scans at 7 and 10 weeks FTM nerves) and I'm excited and nervous.

Still socialising and exercising and though I feel the size of a house yesterday was the first time someone (an estate agent at a viewing) noticed/mentioned my bump which made me very happy.

I don't have a bump at all yet!! Anyone with me?

I keep reading about people having bumps but I don't have anything. I was really bloated on the first trimester but from 13 weeks that seems to have gone too! I'll be 15 weeks on Tuesday!

I have seen alot about not popping with your first until around 18 weeks?

Xx

@wannabeamummysobad
Thank you.

I worked out what sch is everyone. 😁Fingers crossed its something like that. On my scans also there was what looked like a third empty sac...it is getting smaller so they are not concerned.

@Eanrcs88 I was the same....bigger in the early first trimester than I have been since about week 8. It was all bloat and also I am on alot of meds.
I am 12 weeks now and 9 week scan was great.

When I wake up there is hardly anything to see but as the day goes by it can get quiet big.
But bear in mind I have 2 inside so am expecting a bit of showing early