December babies 2021! Thread 3

[Horehound]

Following in from 1 and 2. :)

I had no maternity leave with my son, I was back in work with him a week after he was born 😂
Same again I would imagine, perhaps I’ll lessen my duties but I can’t take a proper maternity leave. (I have a family business so it’s impossible) so it sucks but I’m lucky to not drop pay and have baby with me whilst i work, tho saying that it’s never as easy or as fun as it sounds 😂

Think I will take a years mat leave with annual leave either side so about 14 month almost? Oh it's so nice to think about, we are so busy at work just now that sounds like bliss. I've obviously forgotten how busy and sleep deprived you actually are when on maternity leave

@tuxedocat that doesn't sound easy at all working with a newborn! It was a good day for me if I managed to get a shower and have a decent lunch. I don't think I could manage work too.

I'll probably work right up until end of November and try to use a week's holiday as well to go off a little earlier, then take 9 months off. Then the pay stops so I have to go back to work lol I put both of my boys into childcare at 9 months and it was perfect for us, everyone is different, just gotta work out what's best for you :)

I also only work 3 days a week so childcare was only for the 3 days, so it might be harder putting them in for 5 days x

@Scarletpig1 definitely! thankfully it’s normal for us and it doesn’t last forever. I hope this time I’ll be kinder to myself and allow myself some time to enjoy baby more. Saying that, I’ll have a 4yr old too so perhaps not 😂

So true that different things work for different people!

@Inthecanyon I'm so sorry you're suffering so badly with sickness, I was the exact same in my first pregnancy and had the exact same thoughts despite it being a much wanted pregnancy. I was sick until the end but it eased around 20 weeks. I found visualising it as a mountain to climb helped, so by 20 weeks I had reached the peak because I knew that was likely to be the hardest. It seems so so tough right now, and it is, but I promise it will end and it will be worth it when you have a beautiful baby in your arms (I always hated people saying that but it's true) Pregnancy was the worst 9 months of my life but I'm still willing to do it all over again despite being adamant at the time that I was one and done. Please feel free to message me if you ever need a chat and Pregnancy Sickness Support is a fantastic resource too! Sending you a massive hug xx

@TreeRoad I worked up to 39+1 with my son and then went back when he was 8 months old. Mat pay is shocking (I’m a teacher) but we’d saved beforehand; I went back so I wasn’t passed up for promotion! This time, going to work until 39+2 and got back when baby is 6 months old. Same reason!

I'm a self employed gardener so get zero maternity pay. There's a chance I may be eligible for £148/week maternity allowance, but coz of the way some of my business contracts are set up, it's unlikely.

I've saved up enough to take 10 months off, covering my pension and the basics.

Due to the nature of my job, I will likely fully stop on the tools in Nov (with someone to do my monthly visits which I'll supervise), tell my cash payers I'm pausing them. Hoping to keep mowing lawn til mid/end Oct, nothing more strenuous, but we'll see!

I will have to do 1-2 days in Jan & Feb. And then 5-6 weeks March/April for spring lawn care contracts, OH will take shared paternity/maternity then. Then hoping to take at least a few more months of maternity, but depends if I can find someone I can train & trust to do my maintenance rounds!! If I delay them past April I'll probably loose a lot and I've built tight super profitable rounds

I also only plan on going back 3 days a week

I'm hoping I stop feeling so horrendously ill soon, so I can save up more through the second trimester at least! Got an extension getting started in a few months (unbaby related - all down stairs)

@Minster2012 I was in the same position as you with no symptoms yet and also took a test bang on 5 weeks and it still said 2-3 and freaked me out. Going to take another one tomorrow at 6+1 🤞 but I've done a lot of reading and so many people saying those tests are unreliable and that too much hcg can overwhelm them.. apparently they are banned in the US

Can I join please? It’s still early for me, I’m 4+5 based on my NHS calculations. This will be my second, DS is nearly 2. I’ve got a private scan booked for 8 weeks as I found that very reassuring last time!

@CoffeeWithMyOxygen congratulations!

My maternity pay is shocking too. I get 90% for 6 weeks then statutory. I am guaranteed my job back if I go back full time. They might let me drop a day but if I go back 3 days I get demoted. I am a PA so it's kind of understandable.

Hey! I have found out im pregnant, absolute shock and I have quickly gone from being horrified last week to in utter panic that everything is okay! I am 5+4 I am finding crampy feelings pretty often and sore boobs (off and on) super super tired and emotional but not sure if that is on the back of the shock. I just feel so worried incase something happens, I am 33 years old it's my first and I really didn't see this coming and now it's here I am terrified. Is this all normal? Over the moon for this thread I just need some reassurance i think (constantly all day every day )

Hi @ChristmasBabi. I am in a super similar situation and feel exactly the same! (And what a potential due date, huh!)

@AnonymousXXIX honestly isn't it so stressful I keep saying to myself "enjoy it!" but I'm just like internal screaming I am glad for your reply saying the same I feel less insane

What a lovely due date! It's literally for the 25th which is adorable

@ChristmasBabi congratulations! Yes, I think we have all been through what you're going through right now although if this is unexpected I can only imagine the shock you're feeling! we still all have waves of worry so that's totally normal. Have you contacted your midwife uni to notify them?
Have you got support?

My maternity leave is 6 weeks at 90% and 20weeks at 50%... then statutory.. Planning to start as close to due date as possible and I am hoping considering that the due date is in December to go back to work in September 2022!

@ChristmasBabi congratulations! And I am with you.. same age, first child, and it was a surprise :) since week 6 (I am now 8) I am feeling horrible due to 24/7 morning sickness.. I hope this will only last 1 more month!

I see some of you have been given anti sickness meds... what were you given and how drowsy did they make you feel?

Currently struggling with bad nausea and being emetophobic (fear of sick) it's causing so many intense anxiety attacks not sure how I can carry on I don't want to increase my anxiety meds as they already on a medium dose. Thinking anti sickness might help!

Please say they've helped some of you!!

@Horehound I have got so much support and thank you! More than I ever thought but I found my way here as tbh I think I am getting on their nerves panicking hahahahah I am waiting for a GP phonecall later today! Exciting and I have to admit I have booked in an early scan too I literally couldn't help myself

@cloud2021 I haven't had any sickness at all! I am like should I worry? but I am only 5+2 so not sure if I'm being ridiculous hahha

Has anyone referred themselves to the midwife and heard nothing yet? I rang the doctor to say I was pregnant and they said you refer yourself online now (all changed from my last 2 pregnancies) so I filled in the form and emailed them, they replied saying they couldn't open it and send it again, so I sent it again and didn't hear anything after that. Although I'm only 5+2 so still early but I feel like I forget everything lol will I have my booking appointment before my 12 week scan? I also had gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy and thought they would start testing me for that again a lot earlier in this pregnancy? Anyone know anything haha

I'm glad to hear others as terrified as I'm about 30/70 in terms of excited/scared! We had planned for this baby and it's our first. I'm 30 and DH is 33 so we're ready but I'm just terrified as to what is ahead of me in terms of being sick, will I cope ok etc etc. I think women always worry if they will be a good mum but I guess the fact we worry is a good sign as it means we care!

@Mumofboys20122017

Has anyone referred themselves to the midwife and heard nothing yet? I rang the doctor to say I was pregnant and they said you refer yourself online now (all changed from my last 2 pregnancies) so I filled in the form and emailed them, they replied saying they couldn't open it and send it again, so I sent it again and didn't hear anything after that. Although I'm only 5+2 so still early but I feel like I forget everything lol will I have my booking appointment before my 12 week scan? I also had gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy and thought they would start testing me for that again a lot earlier in this pregnancy? Anyone know anything haha

I had the same process of filling out an online form and I didn't even get a notification on my email just saying thanks we got it, or anything! Called a few times and finally was told yes they got it and my assigned midwife is on annual leave. I chased again when I knew she was back and finally got a letter for my call. I think it took 3 weeks in total!are you in Scotland?

I have my appointment today for getting bloods taken etc!

@Mumofboys20122017 here we get our booking appointments anywhere between 8 weeks and 10 weeks

@Mumofboys20122017 @Horehound I filled out an online form and got a response saying to expect a phone call in the next 14 working days (because they are really busy and behind on things) - so it could be quite a while! They did instantly send me a letter for my first scan in June though.