Catching up with those from TTC 1st baby - thread 4

[Crossfitgirl]

Hey guys, started a new thread as it was getting close to the end of the last one!

@EltzBee @Delilah7 @MrsR16 @mrsof20118 @stormtrooperjulian Thank you all so much ladies. I’m feeling a lot better and staying hopeful! Hospital seem to really be taking us seriously too and everyone has been so helpful and kind.

@MrsR16 Thinking of you lovely and I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about at all - my sister had spotting on and off and even a bleed at 13 weeks and she was absolutely fine ♥️

All the best ladies! X

@MrsEG glad to hear you're being looked after! Xxxx

Some good news! A few you might remember that my employer was only offering SMP, and didn't have an official maternity policy. I decided I had nothing to lose and a couple months ago I spoke to HR and said I was disappointed that was all they were offering.

This week they've now confirmed they've signed off on a new policy, which will be 12 weeks at 100%, 4 weeks at 75%, 4 weeks at 50% and 4 weeks at 25% then SMP.

They've also confirmed that I can use up to 10 KIT days as I'd like to and that regardless of the hours I work on the days I use them, I'll be paid a full day pay at my normal pay rate. So think I will save them for the 2nd half of my leave as that's probably when they are most useful for me to start saying 'hey I'm here' anyway!

Feeling much better about my maternity leave now - I've already been saving of course to cover my time off and to help cover the shortfall, but this will make things much less stressful.

I'm actually quite impressed to that they listened and took my feedback on board, and did something about it! I'll be the first employee in our region to have this new policy. Also goes to show that sometimes it can be worth speaking out!

@EltzBee that sounds great!! I love that your employers are so generous and open to feedback!

My employers decided to let us have our annual pay increases today. Bearing in mind I haven't had a pay rise in nearly 2 years, I was given 20p an hour... I'm a little bit annoyed! But hey, get mat leave out the way and look for something else better paid! 😂

@MrsR16 yeah I was quite surprised and pleased, it makes my financial plans look a lot heathier.

20p an hour 🙈 better then nothing but no wonder you're annoyed that that's it after 2 years service! Like you said though you can always change what you'd like to do after maternity leave 😊 it'll be there loss!

@EltzBee definitely! I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to survive on stat pay... baby will be looked after properly but I'll have to make some sacrifices!

It is annoying. I had to learn an entire new job last year to cover for my colleague who had her hip replaced. I've trained 2 people in my department... it's very strange! DH is saying I should question it, but I'm of the mindset at the moment that I can't be bothered! As you say, it'll be their loss! 😂 xx

@MrsR16 I'd thought all I was getting was stat so started saving very early, even with a higher pay to begin with now I'm going to keep moving money to a different account each month. I figure I won't be earning that whilst I'm off so might as well get used to not seeing it!

Fair enough; I guess it depends on your company too. I asked for a pay rise to recognise the role I was actually doing last year and finally got it in January. It's always worth pushing though, the worst they can say is no after all! We gotta look after ourselves :)

My work Mac has decided to have a proper hissy fit so now I'm waiting for it to reboot again... Technology eh!

That's amazing news @EltzBee

Question for you. We were hoping to complete on our new house at the beginning of July. Doesn't look like it will happen now as things moving slowly. Would anyone risk moving in their due period of would you set yourself a limit say to 37 weeks then say we can't complete until after 43 or something to ensure it doesn't happen at the same time that labour could? I know I'm likely to be late if I have a natural birth but unsure yet how things will pan out (baby not moving head down, baby measuring big and risk being induced, mum had pre eclampsia and could potentially be induced of my BP rises too)?!
Hope you all have a fab bank hols too x

Hi ladies, how we all doing? Anyone got weekend plans?

@eltzbee, that's awesome about your company doing a proper maternity pay policy 😀

So I'm about 7 weeks and today my mum was like 'ooo, you're a bit bigger already!' 😂 I mentioned this to my sil at work at she said 'yeah I told your bro yesterday you were a bit bigger already'!! So apparently it's officially noticeable! Hopefully it's just bloating at the moment and will go down a bit before I get a proper bump later on 🤔

@mrsof20118 that's a tough one! Are you selling your current place and buying, with moving all done on completion day, or are you currently in rented? Sorry if you've said before I can't remember!

@Fivebyfive2 indeed :) haha bless you, yeah there's quite a bit of bloating to begin with in the early weeks, you might find it varies day by day too. Keep hydrated :)

Just got an email to say our pram is ready for delivery too, eeeek!

@EltzBee we sold our previous place and have gone into rented x

@mrsof20118 could you afford to have both places for a month? If so and it was me I think I would just try and get exchanged and completed, and then if baby arrives early you still have your current home whilst you juggle moving and giving notice etc?

Hi ladies! Just wanted to pop in and have a nosy and see how you all are? Is anyone due soon?
Not much to report from the ttc side although I got my static smiley a week early this cycle after acupuncture which is a small win, though totally unexpected so am desperately trying to make it up with lots of DingTD now 😂
Lots of love to you all x ❤️

@MrsEG I'm so incredibly sorry. You are so strong, and one day, you're going to be a wonderful mother.

I really hope everything's ok for you @mrsr16.

@MrsC87 try expressing in the bath. You'll be more relaxed, which helps a lot and the warmth will also get things flowing.

@mrsof20118 she's only having a bottle every three days, but it's just enough to help me catch up on some sleep. Tonight I wasn't even aware of DH taking her out to feed her and coming back to bed so I must have got about 5 hours straight. Bliss!

Well lupus explains a lot @Delilah7. Thank goodness you know now. Any news on Ethan's heart?

Things are coming round really quickly now @Crossfitgirl. I'm so excited for you!

Congratulations @DayDreamer1707

That's an amazing maternity policy @EltzBee, week done!

It's good to hear from you @FlapJackered. I still have my fingers crossed for you. Enjoy the BDing this week!

I'm so impressed that so many of you are sorting your nurseries already. DD is nearly 7 weeks old and ours is still in chaos! (Perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise...) My sister's going to paint a mural in there though and we've now started thinking about furniture. So we should be fine by the time she's ready to move in at 6 months! 😂

Just remember to take the lasagne approach to your cot bedding ladies. Waterproof layer, sheeter, waterproof layer, sheet, repeat until all your bedding is on there. That way, if when there's an accident in the night, you can just strip off the top two layers and you're good to go, without having to make the whole bed again!

Wow. I started replying at the 3am feed. 😂😴

Hey all, sorry not been on here, stressful week at work, roll on 3 weeks to maternity leave! Feet swollen so much too! Other than that all good.
I'm 33 weeks Tuesday @FlapJackered but will be induced by 38 weeks due to Gestational Diabetes, so not long left to go.
Lovely to hear from you, good luck with all the dtd! Fingers crossed this is your cycle 🤞I've only done it once since being pregnant 🙈😂 it just doesn't feel right down there lol xx

Reading back through and I am so sorry @MrsEG sending lots of love to you 💗

@ChaosMoon well it might be that! I now have had a rheumatoid factor come back high, my other level is still high, lupus is still on the cards too it's just all shit!
Ethan's heart LOOKS ok at the moment but London need to do something thorough. He's weight is below average apparently but they aren't concerned yet x x

@ChaosMoon Thanks lovely! I hope everything is going well with your gorgeous baby and you're managing to get some sleep! X

@MrsC87 I can't believe it's so soon! That is so exciting!!! I will keep checking back for news. Both DH and I are so fed up of ttc 🙈 there is definitely going to be a break when we get a bfp!

I hope you're ok @Delilah7 it sounds like you have had a really tough time throughout this pregnancy. ❤️

@FlapJackered I'm just done hun. :( I'm so exhausted it's ridiculous. How are you? Xxx

@Delilah7 poor you, it sounds like it's been really hard, I hope you have some good support. I am ok thanks. Just desperate to get another bfp again and trying not to lose hope. I have finally been referred to a specialist now. It feels good to be taking a step forward!

@FlapJackered family and friends and OH are obviously amazing. We also have to deal with the fact by grandads got given his 3rd diagnosis of cancer ( liver this time ) and has gone down hill in a week... that will be anytime soon I imagine too.
I will keep you in my thoughts and hope the specialist will be able to shed some light on things! Xx

@stormtrooperjulian @daydreamer1707 I may stop soon to be fair as I'm def starting to feel more tired and big. Swimming gives me heartburn so don't know what I'd do! Lol.
@eltzbee that's amazing about your mat pay! Go you! Just goes to show, if you don't ask you don't get!
@mrsr16 20p! At least it'll add up I guess... Better than nothing. It always feels a bit shit when you work your arse off and don't really feel valued for it. As eltzbee says though sometimes it's worth pushing!
@mrsof20118 ah that's really tough, do the sellers know you're expecting? It's a long time to delay, but you also don't want to be giving birth right in the middle of a move! If they are OK with it, You could see if they'd be happy to go ahead as planned but explain that in the event you give birth, they have to wait an extra 2 weeks before completion to give you time to get sorted? Or as suggested if you can afford to rent a little while longer that would be ideal, but rent plus mortgage could be a killer. Are you on a rolling rent contract? As in how much notice do you have to give? Xx
@fivebyfive2 I was so bloated at that stage, I bought maternity jeans at 9 weeks. Comfiest things ever!!
@flapjackered hey lovely nice to hear from you! Acupuncture and relaxation for the win! Are you in the 2ww now? I'm currently 29 weeks and feeling much more pregnant with all the glam of heartburn and no sleep. Glad you've finally been referred to a specialist! That's great news. Did you end up going private or is it NHS?

@chaosmoon thanks for that amazing cot bedding advice! Glad you are doing well and getting a bit more sleep. Are you doing a formula bottle feed or are you expressing it if you don't mind me asking? I want to combi feed but heard lots of varied advice about when to start expressing or offering a bottle. How much does she weigh now? I bet she's getting cuter by the minute 😊 do you feel fully recovered now from the birth?

@mrsc87 not long now then! I've already mentally checked out of work and I don't go until the 10th July lol.

I'm currently sat awake in bed, cannot sleep since about 4.30am so I've given up and will just nap in the day instead. DH snoring.
Been on a bottomless brunch today, it was slight carnage, one of my friends managed to throw up all over my bag and Cardigan... We all got soaking wet walking through Leeds. I also had 2 comments of oh we wondered why you didn't offer to drive!!!
Just because I'm pregnant does not mean I want to fuck about picking up everyone from all over the place, pay a fortune to park in Leeds for the day, then have to do a huge round trip dropping everyone off again after a long day when I don't even know if I'll want to stay out as long as everyone else.
Really peed me off, I've not had a good start to the Bank hol really so I'm looking forward to it just being me and DH chilling and sorting housey stuff the rest of the weekend.

What's everyone else up to?

@delilah7 sorry to hear about your grandad hun, that must be so tough especially with baby due so soon. Sending my love ❤️

@Delilah7 I am so sorry to hear about your Grandad. I am glad you have the support there as it is so important you're not shouldering the worry all yourself.
Thanks lovely. Hopefully I will be back soon with a bfp but will definitely keep checking back here for news of you all. X

@Crossfitgirl hi lovely! I am not sure if I am in the tww yet, I thought I ovulated yesterday as I had major ovulation pains but today temp hasn't gone up yet so it's DingTD again today 🙈 I don't even want to look at his willy again at this stage! 😂
The NHS did refer us in the end but said they wouldn't to begin with, so I booked a private consultation and then they changed their minds and now I have both booked. Trying to decide whether to keep the private or not, it is with a really good consultant where as the nhs one will be someone a bit more junior. I wonder whether to see him and then get him to advise on a course of treatment with nhs. Not sure yet 😬.
Oh gosh heartburn does not sound fun. I am prone to heartburn anyway so I think I am going to suffer when the time comes.
That is unfair to think you would automatically be designated driver! Being pregnant doesn't make you their chauffeur! I would unleash full on pregnant wrath for that assumption 😂

@Crossfitgirl hope you managed to get a bit more rest Hun. Being around drunk people sucks even more when you're totally sober.

@FlapJackered lovely to see you and fingers crossed for you. DH and I haven't DTD since getting our bfp in December 🙈🙈🙈 so a part of me says even though it can be almost feeling like a chore doing it when TTC, you go girl and enjoy lol. 🤣 In my weird head i didn't want to risk it after we got that bfp (I know it's stupid and it's perfectly safe!) and it just didn't feel right lol. That and when you're chucking up morning and night, it isn't really conducive to sexy time 🤭🤣
If you can afford the private consultation I think I'd keep that too, at least to begin with, sometimes the NHS can be slow at following up and having that in case they change anything etc might help mentally too? Sorry that was probably all a bit of a ramble.

Yesterday we got the baby drawers built and I finished the cushions for my rocking chair, next job to repaint it. Already had DH sand it down. He's currently snoring away and I'm wide awake so might go and paint it myself now.... Need to build the cot today too 😊