Christmas babies

[Mamabear12]

Just found out I’m expected a Christmas baby, well due 23 December according to online, which has been accurate in the past give or take a day! I know my cycle etc. Excited and nervous. Had some minor spotting the past few days, but AF never showed so took a test today and it was positive!

Anyone else due within days of Xmas? Might take a few days for people to find out if they are expecting a xmas baby. But thought I would start the thread now.

@Albanyriver hi I'm a teacher too but a little further along in my pregnancy than yourself (9 weeks). I'm also having the same dilemma about when to tell the school, my 12 week scan (which will actually be at 13.5 weeks) isn't until May 20th- the last week of this term. This also won't give them any time to hire someone before the May 25th resignation deadline. They have already started timetabling and I feel pretty bad! I have no idea what to do either- sorry not to be helpful but at least we can be confused together!

I'll be 6 weeks when we go back on Tuesday and my nausea has been around already for a couple of weeks, before I even got my BFP.

I'm in a secondary and deputy head of English, so I'm lucky I have say in the department timetabling. We don't start organising classes until after the May half term, which I think is when I'll be 12 weeks. I'll tell my HOD and head teacher just before we break up I think, so 10/11 weeks.

In terms of maternity cover, they won't need to put the advert out until September anyway for a January start. I'm not sure if I'm overly optimistic but my plan was to stay on until the start of the Christmas holidays, so I would technically not go on maternity pay until January.

I see what you mean @ELJ1502 - that's quite lucky timing for you! Unfortunately for me my due date is 22nd November and therefore I will be looking to leave pretty shortly after October half term, then going back in the last week of the summer term so I can receive full pay again over the holidays- this means they have to hire someone either from September or a very elusive person who is willing to be paid from October half term only! I'm in a bit of a conundrum about it. I'm also in a massive shortage subject (science) in a part of the country where there is a particularly bad deficit of science specialists- the school just down the road from us (outstanding with brilliant reputation) has been looking for a science teacher to no avail for several months now, and that's for a permanent contract, not a maternity contract. 🙁 I feel awful, but at the same time am very anxious about this pregnancy and would rather not tell them before my dating scan in late may.

@bumblingalonghappily I'm not sure there is an easy answer to your problem. By the sounds of it, regardless of when you tell them, they'll have a problem replacing you anyway. I think in this case you need to put your guilt aside and be a little selfish. The stress and anxiety is not going to be good for the baby, so maybe put yourself first. I know that's easier said than done in teaching.

I'm due Christmas Eve, so anticipate working until the last part of the term. My first midwife appointment is on the 13th May, a Monday in term time, so I will need to ask for permission to leave. It's an hour long appointment and I work about 45 mins away from the clinic. I'm going to have to ask for at least three hours off and this may be difficult to ask for without an appointment letter... and therefore telling them. We currently have another teacher in the department (English) due back off her maternity leave in December (as I would potential be leaving). So if they knew in advance they could potentially recruit a year long replacement (as her Mat leave cover has secured a permanent job for sept). Tricky decision to make!

@VeryNewToAllThis I've worked out my due date as the 24th too. My appointment is only 5 minutes away from my school and is the last 15 minutes of the day. I'll just be saying I have a doctors appointment and need to leave 30 minutes early. I'll put a leave of absence in but won't need proof. Could you maybe tell only your head teacher and head of department?

@ELJ1502 yes that's my current thinking, but I think I'll leave telling them to the week before if I can. It will help them with timetabling etc too. Heaven forbid things shouldn't go to plan, they'd at least then understand why I'd need some time off.

The whole thing is incredibly stressful!

I have to admit I don't yet 'feel' pregnant either! A couple of symptoms would help reassure me that all is well!

ELJ1502 do you tell the instructor you are pregnant? I want to go to exercise class, but I am wondering if I should tell instructor in case I do not feel like doing an exercise etc.

@VeryNewToAllThis the constant nausea, cramps and backache is already making me feel very pregnant. I really don't feel comfortable in my normal clothes too.

@Mamabear12 I've not had a cup for a few days including tea which I think is the cause of the headaches so I've had a small cup of tea this morning! Xox

@Losd wishing you the best of luck in your scan! I hope everything goes well for you this time! Xoxox

@Mamabear12 I've been doing the class for about 4 year now and it's ran by a friend, so I haven't said anything. I had a Google and found that as long as it's part of normal exercise it's okay. She knows when I'm struggling or just being lazy too, so If I needed to stop I just would anyway.

@ELJ1502 have you had a baby before or is this your first? I'm dying to know if this is bad for everyone or I'm just being soft with the

@MrsAshxo my first too. I've no idea what to expect or if things are normal.

From experience every person and every pregnancy can be different. I have a few friends who have had nothing (like me) other then some bloating, bigger boobs and a missed period oh and being tired. To one friend who felt sick constantly. If you don’t feel well, don’t let anyone make you feel like you are being soft etc. Hope you feel better soon!

@ELJ1502 currently at a spa for three days so only been in my cossie and a dressing gown, but still feel incredibly bloated! Constant full tummy / bladder feeling! Having to avoid the hot saunas and steam rooms which is quite a challenge...

@MrsAshxo Thank you so much! Trying really hard not to get my hopes up, but I can’t help it. My previous pregnancies were with my ex, and apparently there is no medical reason i cant carry to term so I’m hoping we just didn’t have the right combination or something! Different dad this time so I’m hoping so much for a wee heartbeat in 5 and a half days.
Hope we all get our healthy Christmas babies, best presents ever 💗

Hi! Mind if I join? Got my BFP this evening. It's our first so no idea what to expect, I think husband and I are both in shock!! Think my due date could be anywhere between 18-23rd December. :D

Congratulations! There’s loads of due date calculators online that might get your date for you x

Has anyone got any major symptoms that's due from the 20th onwards? All I have is some period cramps and I'm worried that I don't have enough symptoms for it to be normal? I know everyone is different but it would be interested to know how everyone else is feeling right now since this is my first and I have no idea what to expect

@Worrier2019 don't you stress, I started with wind and bloating and cramps - I then out of no where developed the WORST nausea ever! It'll hit you when it hits you and when it does you will wish you'd never asked for it.

I cried over the toilet with the first vomit going 'oh my god I've changed my mind please help me' 😂😂😂😂.

I think I'm very early to be exhibiting the level of symptoms I am, and if it wasn't for the physical vomiting I'd say it was psychological.

@Worrier2019 I'm due the 18th ish (not sure how long my cycles are exactly) but I'm exactly the same! No symptoms. Apparently that's completely normal too, and many women don't start to get any until a few weeks later!

Hi everyone, I've been been keeping a low profile the last few days as I've been struggling a bit.
Obviously I read about the effects pregnancy can have on your bowels but I didn't put two and two together and think about my IBS.
I've been virtually symptom free for months so I feel like I've been hit by a freight train. The cramps and constipation I have been having are horrendous.
I was in tears last night at work convinced I was having a miscarriage because I was so sore. Fortunately no bleeding and the tests I've been doing are getting darker.
Has anyone who has babies had any experience of this? My GP's don't have an appointment for 2 weeks! I'm going to get some prune juice tomorrow and see if that helps.

Hello! I'm very nervously joining this group.

I've just got my BFP, very very early days for me as I'm only 12/13 DPO, EDD of 27th Dec.

I had a MC at the end of Jan with retained products and it's been a long old slog to get a normal cycle back. We're both excited and utterly terrified of another MC and therefore I'm nervous posting on these groups again after it all went wrong last time.

I have a DC who is 19months - I had zero symptoms with him for all of those panicking about not having any. This week I have felt sick and dizzy which prompted me to test!

For everyone struggling with the waistline- the H&M over the bump jeans are absolutely the best investment I made with my first pregnancy!!

My DS turns two tomorrow and I’m considering telling DM and DMIL when they visit. It’s so excited but nerve wracking too