Due end Nov/early Dec - Hello third trimester!

[MummyShark97]

Just making a new thread before we fill the other one up !

Oh we are the same dates 😆 @MummyShark97

@Asianchick6693 are you a member of a union or can you talk to a union rep at work to get advice? I think they are putting you unnecessarily at risk given the environment you currently work in.

All those talking about working rights and safety during pregnancy, PLEASE have a look at maternityaction.org.uk. If you are not safe at work, you have full rights to be suspended on maternity grounds on FULL PAY. This is from their website....

"What should my employer do to protect my health and safety?

All employers are required by law to protect the health and safety of their workers. Your employer must carry out a workplace risk assessment of the risks to their workers as well as the risks to others affected by their business, such as visitors and contractors.

If your work could involve a risk to pregnant women or new mothers, the workplace risk assessment must also include an assessment of risks to new and expectant mothers arising from any ‘processes, working conditions, physical, biological and chemical agents’. Biological agents includes infectious diseases such as coronavirus Covid-19.

If the risk assessment reveals a risk, your employer must do all that is reasonable to remove it or prevent your exposure to it. Your employer must give you information on the risks and what action has been taken.

If you need health and safety adjustments, you must notify your employer in writing (e.g. email) that you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have given birth in the last six months.

Your employer must consider the risks and take action as follows:

Step 1: temporarily alter your working conditions or hours of work, if this is reasonable and avoids the risk, such as allowing extra breaks, ensuring that you can sit down and avoiding heavy lifting. This applies to all workers.

Step 2: If that is not possible or does not avoid the risk, your employer must offer you suitable alternative work on terms and conditions that are not substantially less favourable than your original job.

Step 3: If there is no suitable alternative work, your employer must suspend you on full pay for as long as necessary to avoid the risk.

Steps 2 and 3 apply to employees only and agency workers with more than 12 weeks in the same placement."

I have had to go down this route with my job (vet) and although it has been hard on my mental health being at home since March, at least I know my baby is as safe as possible.

If you are not in the union @Asianchick6693, contact ACAS. I think you are at too much risk. I had a blood test for Diabetes today in the antenatal clinic and was chatting to the phlebotimist and she reiterated that working from home is strongly recommended for anyone over 28 weeks regardless of their job. A consultant popped in to grab something and reiterated the same thing. You need to kick up a fuss and challenge them. How can the NHS go against RCOG guidelines?! The mind boggles!

@Pinktruffle @NaomiB79 @Jellycat2020 Thanks girls I think the problem lies in the fact that I cannot work from home as I cannot do any lab work outside of the lab so they'd just have to medically suspend me. I feel afraid to kick up a fuss... probably because I'm already on a final warning for sickness/absence before getting pregnant. They will put that on hold while I go on mat leave but keep reminding me another sickness non-related to pregnancy and I could lose my job. I was just unfortunate I fell ill after starting the new job and because I was on probation, thats the only reason I've got this warning otherwise I would have been fine. I just feel like I can't comfortably express my views and concerns without them being funny about it. I do miss my old workplace, they did everything to help their employees. I'm not with a union, never been told how to join one, or what unions are available.

When I had problems with back pain at work after getting pregnant, I immediately told my manager because chairs were broken, she didn't do anything other than refer me for a workplace assessment, once that was done, think managers got a telling off for having broken chairs and she turned the blame on me and said I should have told her about the chairs straight away! Since then I've been emailing her everything but also lost the confidence to raise concerns.

Sorry for the rant guys.

I should add, I had a risk assessment at the beginning of my pregnancy which showed I was at low risk, once I reached 20 weeks I should have had another one and I brought this up but they said they've done an 'unofficial one' and nothing has changed as I am told to socially distance, wear my mask/ visor and stay away from covid samples. Now after 28 weeks, I think I am high risk but in terms of the risk around me, its the same and the same rules will apply so I feel like I can't prove I'm at more risk, especially since shielding has also stopped.

@Asianchick6693 to be honest, there isn't really much I can do from home either. I literally make a few phone calls in the morning and that's about it but my workplace know it's best for me to be home and probably don't want to be sued if something goes wrong.

I understand why you are scared to say too much but you are somewhat protected whilst pregnant and I think this is ok ne of those cases where you need to kick up a fuss for the sake of the baby. Call ACAS and get some advice from them. This is their website www.acas.org.uk
The number should be on there and they should be able to advise you more about your rights in your individual situation.

@Asianchick6693 have a look at unison also. They are a union that cover healthcare workers, they won’t be able to offer you legal representation as you have to be with them for a month I think before but they can offer you advice and have a page covering covid/pregnancy that helped me. Sometimes just the mention of a union to an employer is enough to scare them into action.
Also I’m sure you should have had a review of your pregnancy risk assessment when going into the second and then again into the third trimester so they’re at fault if you haven’t got that and “unofficial” is absolute crap. If it’s not written down it didn’t happen and regardless you should have been involved and been there to read and sign it

@Asianchick6693

I work in a hospital and I've been sent to work from home since turning 28 weeks. I normally have a patient facing role on the wards but have been non clinical since March. I can't do my job from home so I've just been doing small tasks like creating training. Just today they've given me a new role to do whilst working from home booking people in for Covid tests. Just because you're not patient facing doesn't mean you should be in work. I purely non-clinical already due to Covid and they still said I absolutely had to work from home from 28 weeks. It sounds like it might be different in different trusts which really isn't fair.

Anyone else getting headaches in this weather it’s quite humid or is it just me ?

Shocked to hear how some of you have been treated at work. I feel very lucky. Agree @Asianchick6693 you do need to rock the boat for the sake of your baby.

@Alphabetti just catching up with this thread and seen your post about growth scan. I had my first one last week at 28+5 and baby was 2lbs 4oz just. Got my next one next week. They basically told me that a lot of small babies are brought earlier if they're under 10th centile to prevent still births. This is my first baby so absolutely terrified too but hoping will have more answers at the scan next week! x

@Babyhope98 yes I had an awful headache last night - no amount of water or laying down sorted it. I had to go to bed.

@alphabetti I had a growth scan recently (at 28weeks + 1) as the baby was measuring small too and when they marked the results they ended up being average on all the charts with the baby weighing approx. 2lb 5 - they didn’t ask me to come back for another scan? I’m petite too, I’m 30weeks + 1 now. I think your baby’s weight is about average? But obviously I’m no professional - I think it’s great that they look into this type of thing though. It is worrying, but at least they are physically checking your progress and you get to see more of your little one. I have everything crossed that all will be well.

@Asianchick6693 i echo other posters in the need to work from home. All throughout my pregnancy my midwife has said to do so - I am based in an office. Could you have your midwife or Dr. Write a note of recommendation to your employer?

@peachypetite excellent news about partners at appointments and at the maternity centre!!! And regarding the forum, please let us know how that goes and the overall sentiment. It would be interesting to hear what others have experienced and how the trust interprets their communication levels.

30 week bump pic, it doesn't seem to have got any bigger then it was at 22 weeks. Has anyone else found their pregnancy has flown by? I thought it would drag with lock down but it's gone so fast!

@kkr168 yes I think it has flown by so far I'm 28 weeks on sunday only felt like I told my kids other week lol as for belly yes dont feel mine has grown really only thing that's says otherwise is I've needed to buy bigger leggings knickers etc I've only just gained a stones in weight to but have been very active and sensible with eating as I was already heavy before pregnancy I am getting t the stage now where I've had enough lol just want him here but still 12 weeks to go

@PipTed I’m looking forward to voicing my thoughts. Will be delighted if my husband can come to my scan in Oct (to see if my placenta has moved up).
I agree that the weeks are flying now. For me the slowest was up until week 17 because I felt so nauseous and shit!

32 week bump pic! I feel enormous and she is measuring big so I don't think we'll need to wait 8 weeks to meet our baby girl! I'm excited and terrified about possibly giving birth to a big baby! X

Hi ladies, just checking back in.
I'm the opposite I think it's all really dragging. I'm 29+5. Acid reflux is absolutely awful for the past week. Have to sleep upright or im choking on stomach acid all night.
My mil is still calling me 'huge' and 'massive' every single time she comes round. Bump is 50th centile. Told her this and she was aghast!
I think we've finally decided on a name. My mother hates it but I'm shutting her down as dh and I both like it which is a miracle in itself.
Anyone else decided on names?
Attached my 'huge' bump

Your bump is very compact @chubbyhotchoc and quite sweet! If your MIL thinks you aar a huge, she would be disgusted at my size!

@chubbyhotchoc I hate to think what she would call my bump if that's huge 🙊 I feel like the weeks are going so slow, think it's because I can't wait to finish work and that's probably not for another 8/9 weeks 😫

I think she really wants to comment on my ass and the general weight I've put on and she's using the pregnancy as an excuse!

NaomiB79 a lovely bump.... This is mine....
In my last scan, baby was on the average line.... Today, midwife measured with a tape... and baby is up on the next line.... 😯 She did explain that the scan is more accurate, so I'm hoping next scan on Oct 7 will show that.

@chubbyhotchoc oh my goodness how on earth can she say that! Horrible in itself but you look so neat and lovely!! You don't look big at all to me!

Loving all the bump pictures @chubbyhotchoc please do not listen to your MIL, you look beautiful. Very neat and compact. I'd hasten to guess your MIL did not look nearly so good at this stage when she was pregnant. I don't know how you put up with the comments...

@chubbyhotchoc

Not decided but a new idea has made its way to our list - Astro

Unusual but DH loves it and I was unsure at first but have started to really love it so let's see!