Due April 2009 - Time to dance the light scantastic.....

[LittleMyDancing]

New thread as the old one was full!

LuLuBai - Ah, ok! that is much better.

OK, talking to myself now - no, it has to be 26 weeks work by the 15th week before due date. So if I am still here then, I get SMP, if not, I don't. Slowly getting clearer.

I feel much better today! First day in ages I feel almost like my old self in terms of GTD (getting things done). but still a bit over-sensitive to garlic breath on the train.

Hi Gingersarah
Mine is a little bit of a complicated story...At the first interview, I didn't tell them, and covered a rather obvious bump up. At the second interview, I did tell them (14 weeks). I had to fudge quite a lot, as the reason I left my previous 'ideal job'(this job a bit of a step down) in May was because my first baby (before thispregnancy) was stillborn at 24 weeks and I have taken time off (from life in general...) up until now. However, I didn't want to land that on the guy's head so I explained my exit from previous role as a bereavement but was straight about this pregnancy. He was taken aback but fine about it, saying that they would rather have someone suitable in for the relative 'short term' than someone not as suitable for the long term.

If you start working somewhere when you're already pregnant then you don't qualify for SMP from them.

You may qualify for Maternity Allowance, depending on how long you were out of work before that and how much you've worked in the last 66 weeks.

I think you have to have been employed for 26 weeks out of the previous 66 in order to qualify for Maternity Allowance. This is from the Jobcentre website:

"You must also have been a registered self-employed person or have been employed in at least 26 weeks out of the 66 week period running into the week before the week your baby is due."

Juliette- sorry to hear about your previous stillbirth (sorry if i missed that before). I am impressed though at the new employers attitude at looking at things in the long term, cause I am quite nervous about if i get a new job (from choice or from being made redundant) and the new employer thinking that there is no point in taking on somebody that will only be there till april, then off for 6-12 months.

can only wait and see what happens i suppose.

Juliette,
thank you for that and I am very sorry to hear about your sad news in the past. It sounds like you managed it all very well.

So sorry Juliette. That must have been horrible.

Good news that your potential employer is forward thinking.

Hello there,

Just been catching up after a short break.

I hope all the April threaders are well.

Can very much relate to some of the recent recruitment / HR posts. Just been told that the HR manager at my work is leaving and is not being replaced. And my risk assessment hasn't been done yet.

Also finding it hard to give up caffeine - have limited to one cup of caffeine a day then on to the water or decaff.

Getting very bad indigestion, I still haven't learned to eat little and often...

Had nuchal scan and blood tests last week. I posted the image on my profile. Nuchal was normal, seems forever before blood test results are ready.

Better get back to work. Take care all x

Mumsoon - I did my own risk assessment and presented it to my manager and the HR dept. I even got my working hours changed from 9-5 to 8-4 as my commute involved some of the most crowded trains and tubes and I wanted to avoid the squeeze with a bump.

Thanks for all your kind words, I really appreciate it.

Yes, I was surprised at how cool they were. Maybe I was fortunate, or maybe it is a bit of a reflection of the uncertain times. He asked me what my 'long term' plans were ie was I intending to return to work after the baby. I had to stifle my snorts-I am such a neg head I can't see past next week never mind next April. Again, if it is any use to anyone else, I answered honestly and said I could not guarentee anything.I think it is a bit of an insane question, as you can't promise anything, although I appreciate why they ask it and why they want to guage your response.

Hey girls - haven't managed to post for a while as work has been hectic, but had scan yesterday and am DELIGHTED saw my beautiful baby waving its arms and legs around and jumping (yes - actually jumping?! what a primadonna!). It was the most wonderful thing I've ever seen and I think I'm finally allowing myself to believe this might actually be happening and it might actually be ok...

Anyway - had to share I've updated the list as due date put back one day...

Hope everyone's enjoying this miserable rainy day... thank goodness we'll have summer to look forward to with our april babes

Mar
25 Mar : Summerbaby
25 Mar : Jumbs: DS 15 months
28 Mar : AlexandraPeppernose, DC no 3
29 Mar : Gemzooks: DS 1.9 then 2 m/cs, age 32, live in Holland
29 Mar : LittleMyDancing, DS 2.4 born on Easter Sunday
30 Mar : BabyBolat: First Timer
31 Mar : Cosmo: 1st timer

Apr

01 Apr : Rachelinscotland: DD 2 years 10 months, and DS 18 months
02 Apr : MathsMummy27: DD 2years 10 months
03 Apr : skiingone: DC1
03 Apr : nzbabies: DS 21 months
03 Apr : purlease: 1 m/c, 1 DD 3 years
03 Apr : Kalikaroo (28), 1st timer, lives in Scandinavia (but too shy to say where!)
04 Apr : mizzannie: first timer
04 Apr : Mumacita: first time and terrified/thrilled/teary
04 Apr : babypringle: 1 DS 2yrs 1 month
05 Apr : ScrumptiousBumptious: 1 DD 13 months
06 Apr : ToastnHoney: first timer
06 Apr : Diddle: DS1 2yrs, DS2 10months 2mc's
07 Apr : babwsbach: DC2
07 Apr : Bethdivine: DS 18mo
07 Apr : TT3: 1 DS 2(?) years
08 Apr : LuLuBai: 1 DD born 02 Apr 07
08 Apr : Pinkdolly: (age 27) dd 6, dd 5, dd 2, 1 m/c January 08
09 Apr : Oddeyes: 1 DS 17 months
09 Apr : Nigeltuffnell
09 Apr : Soundbites(30): DD aged 18 months
10 Apr : hopeful1
10 Apr : BinkyB(30): TWINS 1st timer, lives London
11 Apr : mrsfossil: 1 DS 6.5
11 Apr : Dungungirl(30): 1 m/c, DS aged 3.5 years
11 Apr : Bubbaluv: 1 DS 1yo
12 Apr : daisycat01: DS 6yrs, DS 3yrs
12 Apr : Salstars (34), 1st timer
12 Apr : Brettgirl, 1st timer
12 Apr : SpringySunshine: 1st timer.
13 Apr : April2009Baby:
14 Apr : girlylala0807:
15 Apr : flyingdaisies(33): West London, 1st due 15th April.
15 Apr : claireykitten: DS 12 months
17 Apr : lou031205(28): DD age 2.8, DD age 1 (next week!)
17 Apr : kittydug: first timer 2 m/c's
18 Apr : mumsoon: DC1
18-19 : minouminou(37) due April 18-19 (i think). 1 DS, 22 months
18 Apr : tristaleejac(25): 1 ds, 3 years
18 Apr : salbysea (28) 1st timer
18 Apr : loobee: DS 22mths
19 Apr : gingersarah 1st baby
20 Apr : v1kk1m: 1DD 5 months
20 Apr : MegBusset: DS 18mo
22 Apr : Glaskhamhasoneintheoven: DS- 3.5y & DD 2y
23 Apr : chloemegjess
23 Apr : Reesie : DD 20 months
24 Apr : Surprisenumber3(32): DS1 9 DSS 9 DS2 4
24 Apr : PuzzleRocks: DD 16mths
24 Apr : Flirty: 1st baby
24 Apr : shellbaby
24 Apr : conkertree (26): DS 12 months
24 Apr : Gawain - 4th DC
26 Apr : detoxdiva: dd 2.7yrs
26 Apr : SnoozyVic
27 Apr : Bicnod
27 Apr : EsmeWeatherwax: Due 27th-ish April, DD 17 months
28 Apr : purplemonkeydishwasher DS 2.11yo
29 Apr : lauralou1: 1st DC

Just thought I'd check in & say hello! I'm still feeling great, apart from a miserable cold which has me coughing like crazy! Had it for over 10 days already, but husband & children had it for over 2 weeks each, so guess I still have a few days of it at least!

Anyway, I'm 16 weeks today...and anxious to know when I'll start feeling the baby move! LOL I can't seem to remember how many weeks I was with my 2nd one when I felt it - I think maybe 18 weeks, whereas was more like 22 weeks with my first. But I love to have a moving baby inside - so can't wait! Anyone felt anything yet? Guess with my due date being the 1st though, apart from a few on here that are due at the end of March, I'm actually further along than most of the group here.

Hope everyone is keeping well - sorry not had time to check the thread for messages, but there are always sooo many when I leave it for a few days w/out looking.

Hi, I haven't been around for a while. I'm 13 weeks and I'm sure I can feel the odd movement - a bit like a poke every now and then.....but this is my third pregnancy.

Crikey, has anyone else noticed how pregnancy can change your mental state? I have started baking cakes and crying at Lord of the Rings this is most unlike me - usually very flighty and stoic wrt my emotions. I'm certainly not an earth mother by any stretch of the imagination so the hormones must be kicking in big time!

Hi all

Bicnod congrats on the scan - very exciting -

Juliette, really sorry to hear that, it must have been horrendous - you are amazingly strong!

Rachel, I am 16+4 and have felt nothing at all so far (apart from sick!) although it is my first so not expecting anything until after 20 weeks!

Had a bit of a weird day today - Am feeling really uncomfortable at work at the moment - my bosses actually haven't said anything bad but am feeling really uncomfortable about the pregnancy and asking for time off for scans / doctors - they always say yes but it feels as tho it is being frowned upon (as in there are always lots of questions asked if I ask to work from home for the day because of an appointment - which so far has been twice!). Has anyone else experienced the same? The company is run by 2 guys so I genuinely think they don't have a clue but still don't think I should be made to feel so anxious about things.

Anyway I have a meeting with them on Friday about everything 'maternity' and want to make sure I cover all the important things off and wondered if you had any tips on the things I should be asking about (apart from maternity leave / pay etc)...

Electra, think DH is wishing my hormones were more like yours! While there has been crying - there has definitely been no baking or cooking / preparing meals of any sort... I am officially a bad wife!!!

Hello all

BabyBolat, off the top of my head, you need to ask them about

• risk assessment - they have to do one by law to check whether you're at risk in your daily work
• maternity policy and pay
• time off for appointments - they have to give you paid time off for appointments to do with the pregnancy, so all scans, midwife appointments etc.
• date you're going to start your mat leave
• keep in touch days - when you're on leave you can come in for a certain number of Keep in Touch days (I think it's three?) without losing your maternity pay. They may want you to do this, not sure if you have to if they want you to or whether it's voluntary
• holidays and benefits - the law has just changed about continuing your benefits during your mat leave - this is from DirectGov:

"However, if your baby is due on or after 5 October 2008, you keep your normal employment rights and benefits (apart from wages) throughout your ordinary and additional maternity leave." that includes things like company cars or mobile phones.

um, I can't think of anything else!
Hope that helps a bit

Hi - yes I am with you on those hormones Electra. I am extremely close to tears a lot of the time and I made a huge batch of chutney on Wednesday afternoon to be ready in time for Christmas. No cake baking yet, but our oven is pretty useless so any attempt at cakes would probably be a crashing disappointment and bring me to tears!

Hi all,

I haven't been on for a couple of weeks as been off work and no internet at home. I wanted to ask a question to all current mums. I am 15 weeks tomorrow and I have had vaginal bleeding with mild cramps for 10 days now. I have been scanned and the baby is fine. The hopsital have said that I am at a slightly increased risk of miscarriage but risk is still low. I have been signed off work and told to rest. The hospital sai I am bleeding from my placenta which apparently os not uncommon. I am bleeding a panty liner a day of mainly old brown blood. There is a chance I could bleed all the way through. Has anyone had this before and gone on to deliver a healthy baby? I am so worried and feel that I am waiting to miscarry on a daily basis. Please, please help if you have any experience with this x

Hi hopeful1 - funnily enough I was browsing online pregnancy calendars just now (I'm 15 weeks too, so was looking at that week) and one of them said quite casually "Some women may experience some bleeding during pregnancy".

With DD I had bleeding at 35 weeks, so that was a bit different to you, and was quite heavy and red rather than brown. They kept me in hospital over night to keep an eye on me but they were never able to explain why it happened. They discharged me saying "It's just one of those things".

A panty liner a day sounds quite light. I know it is difficult to be calm about these things but if it's not getting heavier and the scan showed everything to be fine then fingers crossed all should be ok.

We had bleeding at 20 weeks with DS - went on for about two weeks after it started and then just stopped.

They never worked out what it was, but DS was absolutely fine.

Try and rest and relax and not to worry too much

sorry to hear you're having a worrying time hopeful - i dont have any personal experience of it but have certainly heard about it on other mn threads- have you asked in the general pregnancy threads cause there are bound to be lots of people who can give you their similar stories.

i find it funny all the things that you might discuss at a work meeting. i havent told mine yet, but judging by last time, they will say - oh thats nice - do you plan to come back? and that will be about it - but then i work in an office environment so suppose it would be different for risk assessments with other types of job.

not sure how long i can avoid telling work before i start looking big - have put on a wee bit of weight but just look a bit fatter than normal just now.

hi ladies

hopeful1 I've had brownish stuff for the last month or so. It's got a lot lighter now but still going on. My MW got me straight in to see a consultant who is expert in 'cervical stitches' to see if I needed one, he said (exact words) "Lord no if we did that for every woman with that symptom I'd be here all day and all night". So I think it is reasonably common! He did say though to go back in if it hasn't got any lighter within 6 weeks. Also pointed out that it only takes a little spot of blood to look a lot, especially when it is mixed in with the extra discharge you have when PG.

Of course, I am still having a bit of a panic every now and then and won't relax fully until my next scan... but it was very reassuring. I was examined but not scanned again as I'd had my scan just a few days before and had had the same symptom then too.

He also said no swimming and no sex while it continues. Poor DH, not only am I bad wife therefore on that front but I also join the ranks of those not baking. I don't even make my own toast these days!

Hope this helps
Binky x

my dh was the one baking yesterday - made a lovely onion pie - from nigella lawsons cook book, with carrots and brocolli - very healthy.

i have had a resurgence of energy this week though - feel really good. now might get some of the things sorted that have been putting off - like fighting the inland revenue about last years tax return .

LuLuBai - thanks for the info. Really useful.

Also been lazy on the baking front - but DP made delicious cauliflower cheese last night...

We're still trying to decide whether to get married before or after baby arrives. A small christmas wedding could be very romantic, if a little short notice.

Been neglecting exercise, had better start some sort of yoga before it's goo late...

Best wishes to all April mums xxx

Thanks everyone

BinkyB - I am being scanned every week I think to reassure me, did anyone mention risk of miscarriage to you with this brown discharge? My consultant said 3-4% chance but can't relax. I have been told not to have sex also, my poor DH has been deprived for so long as too ill in first 12 weeks and now this!! You have made me feel loads better thank you

hi all,

sorry to hear you are having worries, BinkyB. Sounds like you are being well checked out tho and taking good care of yourself.

I have the results today from the 12 week scan - DP emailed them to me at work which I asked him to but I think it was a mistake as now I am feeling all jittery. The probability of Downs is 1:8600 which I think is higher risk than anyone else on here (no?). They say it is low risk and I am not being offered any other tests. What do you think? I am 37 (but was 36 when LO was conceived, which sounds better!)

I don't know why I am fussing about this, I haven't been offered more tests and realistically I don't think I am going to do anything else so I might as well just get on with it. however I keep thinking I might ask for an amnio, maybe privately. The NHS website implies that all women my age would be offered an amnio which makes me wonder if I should have one.

Oh I don't know! What do you think?