Getting Ready For Baby Challenge Thread 5

[HopefullyDothButterNoParsnips]

The fastest moving TTC thread where we are all trying to get ourselves ready for our bundles of joys. Come and join the madness.

Yes I think that's all good advice. Grumpy you have the right to return to an equivalent role at no less favourable terms and conditions after 26 weeks so if in reality the only equivalent role is your role - you may be able to engineer a way to take a longer period of leave.

Wow, as if TTC isn't hard & complex enough on it's own... it creates all sorts of other shockwaves! Sounds like you handled it like a pro grumpy (even tho you shouldn't have to at all!)

My job doesn't come with the politics (mobile hairdresser) but it's worrying me about letting my clients down/not being able to take enough time off/having enough work when i want to come back/not having anyone to recommend to them while im away blah blah blah!

Yet another thing for us girls to deal with that the menfolk don't!

Yes my role is the only really equivalent role but I'd have to prove that another role at same current pay (e.g. on the client team) wasn't equivalent (it's not as less there is much less upside and prospects but hard to prove that). No way I'm risking not getting my exact job back! Anyway it would be too detrimental to take more than 6months (and I wouldn't want to be at home much longer than that anyway)

Omg Grumpy that's so bad! It's a tough position to be put in, I would be trying to find a way, when you do get to tell them you're pregnant, to gently mention your rights disguised as asking what your options are? I know you probably don't want to come across as demanding though, they are murky waters for sure

I'm nervous about telling work because I only came back from Mat leave 6 months ago, but I know that realistically they can't won't have a problem with it. I have a new line manager though and he is, while very nice, a bit unprofessional and I'm not sure he knows how to handle things like that - a few weeks ago my dad was very ill in hospitable and a doctor had (wrongly) told him that there was nothing they could do and he would be gone shortly. My manager's responses was, "well he is 70" and "If you do have to go and say goodbye, I'll try and get it so you can have a medical day instead of having to use annual leave" . Having to tell him plus currently waiting to get the okay to go back full time has be pretty nervous to announce ATM!

Sorry as well, lot's to catch up on on this thread! I still have a feeling you're getting that BFP Parsnips :) I'm feeling kind of anxious atm, am approaching 6 weeks now and don't really have any symptoms, last time I had a few obvious ones by this point :(

confused thanks lovely! I'm glad google was reassuring, your debt doesn't sound unmanageable at all. It will all be fine. Lucky bubble with you as a Mum :)

Ohh Tigger bet you can't wait to see your little ladybird. I prefer an animal comparison to all the fruit stuff. Good luck!

Wow grumpy that is outrageous, sorry you were put in that position and felt you had to justify your choices. As others have said there is legal protection in place but I know that doesn't always feel like a comfort. In the NHS they can move me anywhere as long as it's the same pay. I'm positive I will be moved out of the new and dynamic city based service into somewhere else more county based (and boring).. ultimately though when we have our babies this might not seem to upsetting? I totally empathise with your fears though after so many years of hard work.

glitters hope your dad is on the mend now

5DPO here and feeling all manner of symtoms (bloating, headaches, sore boobs) so checked on Ovia for same point last month and symptoms were identical! Maybe she does have her uses.. scarily my emotions follow the same pattern each month too - makes me thing my whole mental state is hormone related and not based on reality. Hmm..

I have a serious case of heartburn today although that's not uncommon for me. Still getting paper white negatives so not feeling hopeful. Tbh starting to feel a bit panicky of getting a BFP also which is silly really. Hey ho - we'll soon know. I was up working til 1am last night and then up at 6.30am with the dog so I'm mostly just knackered- hurry up weekend! I need some sleep! Strange atmosphere in work too. They fired one of my colleagues on Thursday for underperforming financial so we all feel like we are watching our backs!

Grumpy I just hope it hasn't upset you too much. You definitely sound like you know your rights and you know what you want! :)

Jupiter the problem with animal comparisons is that it's harder to visualise. And I've not heard of half the tiny animals. Right now I have a pygmy seahorse... (I mean, I can picture what it will look like, but no idea what size it might be!!)

unicorn that's amazing, seahorses are very cute but you're right about not knowing about the size! They need to stick to common garden animals or pets so we know where we are. Think my friend said she was carrying a baby penguin by the end of her pregnancy.

parnsips sorry about the BFNs, remind me how many dpo you are? The atmosphere at work sounds awful.. hope you aren't too exhausted today.

Grumpy I am sorry your bosses made you feel that way! But I would deffo keep a record as incase there is any chance of an unfair dismissal before getting a BFP (Although I think that would have to be a worst worst case!!)

Glitters I think some males can be like that my DH's boss can be a bit like that and likes to gossip so when we had to tell him (Due to hospital appts etc) It was a gamble but actually he handled the whole thing really well! Also you probably have another 2 months before you need to tell them realistically so that will be 8 months since you came back and that seems a bit better =)

Jupiter It isn't and we can manage especially as we are fortunate enough to have a large baby fund but I am a panicker at heart lol. How odd about your symptoms and moods? Tbh I felt pretty much exactly the same as Pre-AF before I got my BFP my heart was hoping for it but my head was saying I was being rediculous!

oh god Parsnips was it expected? Also when are you expecting AF again?

Dancing I changed mine so it was objects or something! So Bubble is now the size of a fun snap (Does anyone remember those things you throw on the floor and they explode)? I was so excited to actually know the size! lol.

Also if anyone wants a Lute... I am not the person to ask! lol

confused Im a panicker too so totally relate. You'll be fine though :) when is your next scan? A fun snap is a good size!

I'd love a lute!

No it was really unexpected. I knew the senior partner didn't really like her but I didn't think they'd boot her out. They called her into a room on thurs afternoon and that was it. She is technically on annual leave for two weeks now but she's not coming back. They haven't even told anyone - I only know because I'm close to my PA and she's seen the emails.

AF is due tomorrow but no signs of it yet or any cramps/bloating so who knows. I just want to know. I am calm either way really but I hate the anxiety of not knowing! The few mins after POAS I feel like my heart stops beating!

Morning ladies

Welcome along Flower

Grump that's awful questions to answer! Well handled!

Fingers crossed for you Parsnips, hope AF stays away

Hi all! Oh parsnips that sucks re your work.

jupiter great Ovia is being helpful for once oh god I am trying not to symptom spot too. I keep telling myself my body wouldn't even know it was pregnant yet.

confused amazing your bubble is growing so quickly! So exciting.

dancing how cute is that, a little seahorse!!

I was planning to test with FRER on 14th but now found out I am going to a funeral that day, a family friend. Such a sad occasion I don't know if I should hold off.

Thanks confused :) I think you're right, he will probably find it easier to respond to positive news too! Don't worry about being anxious, as in literally don't worry about the anxiety you feel, it's all perfectly normal, and will fade once you start feeling baby move :) I woke my DP up quite teary this morning because I'm not really having any symptoms, when with my DD before I even got a positive test I was having really bad motion sickness in cars and really tingly boobs that woke me up at night! I'm trying to just focus on getting to my scan date, I know it's hard though

Jupiter Thank you :) He is back at home now, he has COPD which will never go away and they thought he was in the end stage, but he's bounced back brilliantly! And has a machine to help him at home. I'm sending many positive vibes to you this month, and to Parsnips and anyone else in their 2WW Also don't let normal symptoms put you off, I was feeling the exact same as I usually do, the only difference is the little line of spots I always get a couple of days before my AF on the right side of my chin appeared on the left side this month!

And welcome, Flower :)

Orange sorry to hear that a friend of yours has passed away maybe see how you feel on the day before deciding whether to test or not? There's nothing wrong with doing it that day if you feel that you want to

Ohhh sorry orange I missed your post :( That is really sad, I guess there are 2 ways of looking at it, it could be the silver lining on a sad occasion like that? Hope you're okay

Sorry for your loss orange. Just see how you feel on the day. If positive it may give you some comfort.

I feel really queasy now. This was the same yesterday afternoon and I put it down to hunger but I've eaten loads today and I'm not hungry.

I had a weird feeling in pelvis earlier like fluttering pain. Almost like a bubbling motion (def not wind) and that keeps coming and going. I'm starting to wonder if I'm imagining things! Maybe AF related?

I'm sorry orange. Hope you and your family are doing ok. I guess a very personal decision re testing. How many dpi will you be? A false negative may hit you harder than normal when you're already emotional.

Parsnips hopefully it's something! :) fx for you. AF due tomorrow?

I'm having such a day of meh today. Fuelled by mild but underlying nausea and exhaustion and a quiet day at work (much rather be busy!) anyway, I'm treating myself to McDonald's for lunch, and now feel mega guilty!

Ah hope it's not AF related *parsnips! Not much longer to wait!

Sorry to hear your news Orange Maybe save for the next day and it will be something to look forward to?

Welcome flower

I think all pregnancies differ glitters Maybe its the opposite sex to last time & thats why your symptoms are different?

My DH is getting back tonight & better be prepared for a humping! First FW is kicking off!

Tomorrow yes (or Friday). Ovia was a day out last time so depends if she has corrected herself. Surely even a non sensitive test would pick something up by tomorrow? I feel like I'm waiting on exam results and constantly checking the post box!

Orange really sorry for your loss. The day I got my BFP with my DD, her dad found out his grandma died and I think it weirdly helped him a bit to know he was going to be a dad. But it's a very personal decision x

Parsnips I feel your pain!! My symptoms last week were clearly nothing to do with pregnancy so if I were you I'd just try to assume a BFN and get surprised by a BFP! This will be my strategy next TWW.. I hope!

Parsnips I still got bfn when AF was due. So if it's negative it doesn't mean you're out!!

I'm with Grumpy - expect a BFN then anything else will be a brilliant surprise. Easier said than done tho Parsnips.

I had mega heightened smell this month which I had with DS1 so was convinced I was pg but no . Symptom spotting is the worst & so hard not to do. I guess it's best to keep busy.

Sorry for your loss orange Perhaps you could do your FMU int oa pot and test it in the eve? My friend did that the day after her Grandad died & it was positive!

I've not looked at Ovia today yet. i think i ovulated on Friday according to the pains (although OPK was negative), but apparently i am in my FW now according to app