Want to get pregnant, worried about money

[MrsCLH]

Hello everyone

This is my first post so am a little apprehensive! I hope I am posting in the right place.

I got married a month or so ago and we always said that we would start trying for a baby pretty much as soon as we were married.

I am an insulin dependent diabetic and have already been to the ante-natal unit at hospital a couple of times because you have to make sure that your body is well prepared for pregnancy.

The thing is I have been so focused on the fact that I know I'm going to have a high risk pregnancy that I haven't really stopped to think about any other issues. I'm now on folic acid and I'm watching my blood sugars very closely and have another appointment at the ante natal in a month. I feel like everything is happening and now I've started to worry about money.

I don't know where to start to look at what we would be entitled to - can anyone point me in the right direction. I feel like I need to know exactly what money we will have coming in each month before I decide if we can afford to get pregnant at the moment. The only thing I know is that I am only entitled to statutory maternity at work - nothing more.

I just want to get this straight in my head before I go back to the ante-natal cos I feel like all this stuff is happening and they are spending all this time on me and then I might decide now isn't the right time for us and I don't want to waste any more of their time. I probably should have told them that I was worried about this stuff but they are all so lovely and seem genuinely excited for you and I just felt silly saying that I was having second thoughts - daft I know.

Thanks so much to anyone that read all this! I would appreciate any advice.

MrsH

Google child tax credit and see if you can get info from there. Depends what your husband is earning.
If your heart is set on a child then don't let money worries stop you, it if difficult for most of us (I know it is for me) but you will manage. I really don't think there is ever the perfect time, especially if you are ready in your heart, you are married and have a home. You can get so much stuff second hand, cheap or free, and baby really doesn't know or mind!

bundlebelly is right, there is never a right time to have a baby. We had twins 5 years ago and my DH lost his job when they were 8 weeks old, and didn't work properly again for about 10 months, but we managed - I don't know how, but we did. I went back to work part time when they were 6 months old, so we had my salary coming in and child benefit and child tax credits. We did get into a bit of credit card debt, but what choice did we have?? Five years on, I am still part time, ny DH is in a secure job, we just get our finances sorted, new(ish) car and...BAM...happy little accident - due 19th December!! Not sure how we will manage, but if everyone waited until they had no money worries, no-one would ever reproduce!! Good luck, and hope you decide what is best for you. xx

Just to echo the others really...and to add that you sound more ready to start a family than a lots of people are when TTC! Good luck!!

Agree with what others have said. Even with the best planning in the world, circumstances change and you never know what's around the corner. We are lucky in that DH owns a business and earns well but if his company went under or, god forbid, anything were to happen to him, I don't know how we would manage!

Good luck with TTC

Totally agree, unless you are absolutely minted you'll never 'think' you'll be able to afford children. You will cope, it might mean cutting back on things you enjoy as a couple but you'd probably rather spend time at home with baby & DP anyway. We don't eat out that often & if we do it might just be at a small cafe rather than a restaurant but as a family we enjoy it just as much. And who knows what's around the corner, you could win the lottery next month!!! I know it doesn't help with money worries but as long as you've got your DP & baby does anything else really matter?? Go for it!

When we found out I was pg, DP and I were over the moon and although we've not got a lot money-wise I feel we'll cope.

I know people with loads of money and people with none. All of them found it hard work and all of them managed. If you wait for the right time it will never come.

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply. I'm one of these people who will look for things to worry about so thank you for making me feel better!