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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

3 Weeks until Mat Leave and I've disappeared into insignificance!!!!

38 replies

Toothache · 07/06/2004 15:48

I finish up on Tuesday 29th June. Today I have done 30mins of work and other than that.... NOONE has spoken to me!

I am a non-person, invisible. Obviously I am now deemed incapable as I'll be away in 3 weeks time. Anyone else felt like this?

It's really pissing me off and rrrrreally making the last 3 wks drag!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OldieMum · 07/06/2004 15:51

I'm afraid it's even more like this when you return, in my experience of the last few weeks! Enjoy the maternity leave.

Original poster

Toothache · 07/06/2004 15:52

Oh god don't say that Oldiemum!! I'm already feeling sick at the thought of returning to this place after Christmas.

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piglit · 07/06/2004 15:53

Toothache - I've found exactly that since my pg became common knowledge. I'm only 23 weeks and already I'm non-existent. I've decided to leave early before the boredom does my head in. I'm not coming back and mat leave doesn't come into it so I thought I might as well go early. It's very frustrating.

BIBIBOO · 07/06/2004 15:55

Enjoy it Toothache - a colleague of mine who finished for Mat. Leave on Friday was worked into the ground until 5:30pm when she was finally allowed to leave. They were also thinking about ringing her at home today to "check" something! Chill out and get some rest, you'll need it later!

Original poster

Toothache · 07/06/2004 15:55

Isn't it.

I'm now getting paranoid that they don't actually need me in the first place! And although I hate it here.... I still need the job for another while until DH finishes management training.

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sweetkitty · 07/06/2004 16:01

I'm working just as hard as ever but the only topics of conversation people talk to me about these days are:

the growing size of my bump (what do they expect it to start shrinking)?
How many weeks I have to go?
Names sex etc?

Only an hour to go..............

Original poster

Toothache · 07/06/2004 16:03

I'm stuck in a site office with 3 blokes. All they talk about is the amount I eat and having to widen the doors for me soon.

I have also had lovely comments such as "They'd be cheaper firing you".....

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piglit · 07/06/2004 16:07

Put those paranoid thoughts to one side - I believe they are one of the many pg "side effects"

I suspect that they think they are doing us a favour in our "delicate" condition or perhaps they think that we can't cope now that we have "other things to think about"

pes · 07/06/2004 16:25

lol toothache,
I found the same with my approaching mat leave. As far as the blokes I work with were concerned its as if I just ceased to exist other than as a rapidly expanding and embarrassing reminder of 'women's things'.
Having said that though, I have also noticed that people get ignored once they hand their notice in as well. IME of the workplace its out of sight out of mind.... and you're on the way out babe......HOORAH
ps how are the slurpy eating noises?

pes · 07/06/2004 16:37

sorry if I was too flippant there..
Re return to work - I did get ignored to start off with but it was back to normal within a few weeks - people have very short memories IME
At the moment you'll feel it because they are preparing fro your leaving.
Don't worry about it,
I really hope the remaining time at work goes quickly for you

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 08:17

lol folks!

The eating/shhhllllurpy noises are not too bad as I've moved to another room. It was just getting too much, so I said I needed more space to spread about.
Still getting a lift to and from work with him though..... and BOY did his breath ming yesterday!!!

spew

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sweetkitty · 08/06/2004 09:54

I think they are secretly jealous that we are getting (in their minds) paid time off to sit around drinking coffee and watching daytime TV because thats all there is to this baby lasr isn't there . I've had loads of comments about sunbathing and having time off.

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 09:55

I've had a few people ask when I start my 'holiday'! Pricks!

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gold123 · 08/06/2004 10:01

The company I worked for before leaving to have ds (no.2 child) didn't even say goodbye to me on my last day (they were a childcare company) my boss didn't even acknowledge me leaving. When ds arrived I let them know, I didn't even receive a card !!!! needless to say I didn't go back

Helsbels · 08/06/2004 10:10

my guys are brilliant - I finish tomorrow and they have been great - they keep saying how much they will miss me and to keep in touch and come back soon etc. My maternity cover started four weeks ago and he has been great too! I was involved in his interview to make sure that I thought he would 'look after' my job for me. I came back here after ds 1 and will come back after this one (in January). I have not very often felt undervalued since my return and certainly not through this pg.Everyone has been supportive and kind. When I let last time for mat leave, they had had a huge collection and presented me with flowers, a beautiful moses basket and loads of clothes etc. I am one very lucky lady to work with such champions, obviously! They do joke about having a baby 'in the good weather' but it is in good humour. Sorry for everyone who is having a less positive experience but don't worry - it'll all be worth it

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 10:13

Will it helsbels? Worth it just to have to return to this miserable place??

The pregnancy will be worth it of course, but as for working.... I'm considering selling my postnatal body (eurgh!) rather than return here.

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Helsbels · 08/06/2004 10:16

is it your first toothache? You may find yourself wanting to get back to work!! I could not be a sahm for all the tea in China so work p/t 3 days - I am very apprehensive about being at home for 6 months again as I do get bored quite quickly

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 10:23

No Helsbels - This is my 2nd. With my first I was back at work fulltime when he was 18wks old. It was an incredible strain and I suffered from PND until recently.
I'm the main earner so it was never possible for me to even go part-time. However, DH will finish his training in March and our salaries will even out a bit more. Thus allowing me to cut my hours. But this place would rather fire me than have me as part-time. It's an 'all the boys stick together' engineering firm. I hate it here.

I never imagined I would want to be a SAHM. Like you, I get bored easily. When I get bored I get irritable and down. However, for some reason this time I just want to be with my children ALL the time.

Mind you... I'm sure the novelty will wear off.

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sponge · 08/06/2004 10:39

A bit like you Helsbels my lot have been pretty good. I am still working normally with the same responsibility, have just had a pretty positive review and have chosen my own maternity cover (good but not too good ).
However I am pretty bored of the job and fancy a change. Trouble is I will have to come back here for at least 6 months otherwise I have to give back my maternity pay .
Toothache, looks like you'll have to go back for the time being, but once dh has completed his training would it be an option to look for something new, possibly part time? At least then you'd have something more positive to look forward to and could review your return to this company as temporary, therefore bearable.

Helsbels · 08/06/2004 10:42

could you look at alternative employment? I am sorry that you have suffered PND _I was lucky last time because I was off for 6 months but I really struggled for the first year with adjustments to motherhood and suspect that I had mild pnd for that time. I have suffered form clinical depression in the past but the two are very different IME. The novelty may not wear off - I may feel differently myself when this one is born and want to stay at home - can't see it at the mo though Good luck whatever you decide or whatever you can work out {{}}

gscrym · 08/06/2004 10:45

Before I went on maternity leave, none of the guys I work with wanted to be in the lab with me incase it all started (one actually tried to get me to promise not to go into labour). I did, for my own amusement, stand in a puddle of water, holding my bump and asking if they could check for the head. I was lucky that they were absolute sweethearts and if I needed a rest (worked shifts) or felt tired, they'd send me home. The girl that was my maternity cover was brilliant, she was hoping there woudl be baby related incidents and like to feel for any type of kicking.
When I went back, all anyone asked was how was ds, whats it like to give birth and was I getting much sleep.
Is it worth registering with an agency to maybe get something closer to home. I was registered with Morson and I know at least one of our engineering clerks is rcegistered with them. They also supply to all the major works in Grangemouth (I think - BP, Avecia and Syngenta anyway).
It'll all be over soon and then you can forget about work for ages.

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 10:58

I'm going to push for 4 days a week here. If they don't like tough... they can fire me. [anger]

Grscym - I worked for Morsons before. I actually worked for Avecia through Morson when I was pregnant the 1st time. They were great. And through me a surprise party when I was leaving.... I actually cried!! I had only worked there a few months too.

I'm staff with this Engineering firm. Although I deal with projects at BP in Grangemouth I am supposed to be based in the HO in Renfrew. Due to my pregnancy health scares I have been allowed to work in the Grangemouth site 'office' (eh... portacabin)... until my Mat Leave starts. But after that it's back to my 1.5hr commute to and from Renfrew. That means leaving at 6.45am and returning at 6.15pm Mon-Fri. What's the point in me having children? So 4 days a week would be grand... leaving me 3 full days a week with my beautiful babies.

God I'm feeling SO self-pitying today.... go on.... tell me I'm pathetic.

I am hoping to go back to Uni to re-train as a midwife in September 2006. I'm really looking forward to doing that. So I'll keep plodding along to save some money up before telling them to shive it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 11:00

Oops... I mean telling them to SHOVE it....

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gscrym · 08/06/2004 11:30

I was with Morson at Avecia when it was Zeneca. What department did you work in. I was in Experimemtal Unit and then in 1-3.

Original poster

Toothache · 08/06/2004 11:35

I was in Monastrals.... dirty horrible place it was too. I was a Tech Clerk there and worked closely with Gillian Forsyth. That was in 2000.

I used to get a lift into work with Tony Lucey.... ?

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