November 2020 babies - thread 8!

[wannabebump]

New thread xx

I feel like baby has had a growth spurt or something overnight and its wiped me out, I woke at half 7 when DH got up for work, then just laid for half an hour just watching the little one dance away in my stomach! I then nodded back off until lunchtime, and since then I've had so much tummy activity, it feels amazing

Same here @MrsR87! My boohoo ones are awful, really see through. Which I think I was warned about! I have just put in another order so I've got a few as once the colder weather hits and I'm bigger, which doesnt seem possible, I will be living in them! Nice and comfy for extra room after Christmas dinner...!

Hello everyone, hope you are all feeling well- I was just wondering how many of you have signed up to NCT classes in lockdown? I feel like I would definitely go if they were person to person and gave me a chance to meet other local pregnant ladies, but not particularly interested in a zoom call meeting- also feel like i am constantly reading about pregnancy and childbirth so feel quite prepared and calm about the whole thing....

@FilthyforFirth
I’ve already told my DH that I intend to save my maternity leggings and jeans for use over Christmas Eve-Boxing day...and I’m not just referring to this year! 😂

[quote MrsR87]@FilthyforFirth
I’ve already told my DH that I intend to save my maternity leggings and jeans for use over Christmas Eve-Boxing day...and I’m not just referring to this year! 😂[/quote]
100% agree with this

Oh I am so with you @MrsR87 and @Wigglebum87! Just sorted out my mat leave at work and I wont actually be returning until Jan '22 so I get two christmases out of my mat leave!

I had my whooping cough vaccination this morning and my arm is extremely sore. I cant remember how long this lasts? Also, did it make others feel sleepy? I had to have a nap during my lunch break today and I am struggling to keep my eyes open getting to 4 when I can log off and get back to bed...

@FilthyforFirth I’m debating dragging my mat leave out until 2022 too, I think my accrued leave will just about cover it!

I am looking forward to it to be honest. I needed a job as my contract ended on my previous mat leave so was back just before 11 months. But this time I have a permanent job, albeit one I dont love, and so much holiday that it stretches to mid Jan '22! If my baby comes early it could even stretch to Feb!

I didn't know that you get bank holidays back as well (something my awful last employes neglected to mention) so that was another 8 days that we are encouraged to take at the end of mat leave.

I like the idea of two christmasses as a christmas nut! Also if this one is rubbish due to corona it will be nice to have another one to look forward to!

@FilthyforFirth it made me sleepy, my arm also hurt for about 3 days :(

@Hlb278 I have still signed up to NCT despite being online. For me it's more about making friends with other parents in the area so I can spend time with them on mat leave when my other friends are working! We won't be pregnant (obviously) on mat leave so will be lower risk so no reason why we can't meet up for coffee or lunch etc with the others on the nct course.

@Fouryearslater I'm 100% planning to drag my leave out until 2022 with annual leave 🤣 I love Christmas and would give a nice prolonged period off over then! (X2)!

I feel so jealous of you all! I think I'll have to go back in July 2021. DH is going to take some shared parental leave as baby will still be tiny. I work in a school so will get the 6 week holidays full paid at least but back to work for good in September. I'm planning on going part time though.

I managed 13.5 months last time (and two christmases!) but I had a different boss then, I get a feeling this one would think I’m taking the piss 😬 but I’ll need to use my holiday up. Other option would be to come back from maternity ‘early’ but then take my leave meaning I start getting paid earlier, but longer off would be a right treat!

It's the good thing about being due at the end of the year! Our annual leave runs from Jan-Dec and I get 28 days plus 8 bank holidays so delighted to be able to stretch it out. I'm a Jan baby so get 2 bdays too!

Thanks @Pinktruffle. Preparing myself for an early night and a few more days of a sore arm then.

I'm the same and not planning to go back until Jan 2022. However also going to go part time from 1st Jan and drop hours from 35 to 30 but done over four days. My boss has been fab and knows I'm off until Jan 2022 but I am leaving the part time discussion bit until closer to the time.

@FilthyforFirth The day after my vaccination I was completely wiped. Could barely drag myself out of bed before 11am and spent the day on the couch feeling exhausted!! Had a headache that kicked in after dinner and had not shifted by time I went to bed. By next morning I felt totally fine again! Other than the tender arm, but even that started to ease off by day 2.

I think I had pain in my arm for two days after the whooping cough jab. A real pain when you’re supposed to be sleeping on your side!

I am getting so stressed over choosing a pushchair/car seat/travel system and feel like I'm wasting so many hours reading endless reviews but not getting any closer to deciding! The one piece of advice everyone keeps giving me is to try them out in store, but we only have a John Lewis near us and we will go there, but it's not a huge one so don't think there will be much choice in store, so does anyone have any other advice to help me decide? Anyone with other children got any recommendations of ones you own and love and have found have lasted well? I just want to buy one now and tick it off my to-do/to-buy list! (If it helps at all, I want something not too bulky or heavy - but then I can't imagine anyone wanting a bulky, heavy one!- that steers and folds down fairly easily and I want to be able to attach a car seat - preferably a maxi-cosi or joie car seat, as they're the ones I've heard/read the best things about...)

@MeandSpud

I feel the same... it’s so confusing! We do have an appointment booked in a local baby shop this week though so hoping this gives me some insights. I think I know what I want, but I want someone to tell me if I do actually want that! I’ll share over the weekend if anything helpful comes up.

@MeandSpud the right pram really really depends on your lifestyle I think. Things to consider - will you mostly drive? If so does it fit in your car boot? Can you easily lift it in and out and does a 2 part fold annoy you or make it easier? Does it need to be able to handle off road or will you mostly push it on pavement? Where will you store it in your house (again will you fold it, is it narrow enough to fit down hallway)? Do you want to be able to swap between parent and world facing or are you ok with just world facing? Are either of you especially tall/short? (Some don’t have adjustable handlebars). The pram we have is perfect for London - lots of public transport and we wanted something very small and light. My family who live more rurally have completely different prams.

Definitely worth checking out what people who live near you have, as they probably have a similar lifestyle.

I second @HarrietM87 in that it really depends on your lifestyle.

Even if your John Lewis doesn't have a huge selection (maybe you can call them to find out), testing a few will give you an idea of what to look for.

@MeandSpud I agree with the other girls as it really does depend on your lifestyle.
We've been trying to choose for the last month and it's just so difficult. I'm petite and my partner is very tall and we both like to go out for walks up in the parks etc so decided to go for oyster3 bundle as its super light, easy to fold, up to 20kg and just suited me when I tried it. I think the folding easy was a major point for me.

@Hlb278 we’ve signed up for NCT, interestingly in our area they had options for either online or ‘hopefully’ face to face. We’ve opted for the face to face but will see if it ends up on zoom!

Also top tip @FilthyforFirth on accruing 8 bank holidays, I had no idea about that!

Hi,

I don't know if this has already been asked but when is everyone planning on going back to work after maternity?

@bokchoy I'm taking 11 months, so with accrued annual leave and bank holidays, we're hoping to get as close to January 2022 as humanly possible before I go back and baby goes to nursery.