September 2021 - Thread 6 is here!

[Bubbles1st]

Can you Adam and Eve it we are are on Thread 6! Hope I included everyone on the update!

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 30th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💖
@primhutch - 1st 💖
@RaeRae84 - 1st 💙
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@GWhiteley - 3rd 💖
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Allicit - 3rd 💙
@Poppins2016 - 4th 💛
@2021mumma - 5th 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@SillyBry - 7th 💛
@LouiseJayne23 -7th 💖
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💖
@SK28 - 8th 💛
@Taralweaver - 8th 💖
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@Catkin7 - 10th 💖
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@CobleCloud - 13th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Bigdreamer9 - 14th 💙
@Eppy123 - 14th 💛
@Kirky658 - 15th 💖
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@HollyMoore - 17th 💖
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@Bluespace - 18th 💙
@ErrolFinn - 19th 💖
@xsjrx - 19th 💛tbc
@unicornpower - 20th 💖
@Moominmiss - 20th 💙
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💙
@Clouless - 21st 💛
@Jay3004 - 22nd 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Geegee20 - 22nd 💙
@Holly91 - 22nd 💛 tbc
@Rach921 - 23rd 💙
@LittleCatDog - 23rd 💖
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@LittleAurora -24th 💙
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💖
@GummyBear91 - 25th 💛tbc
@AdriannaP - 25th 💛
@MrsTD88 -27th 💖
@MrsBrett20 - 27th 💛
@marshmallowmode -27th 💙
@ams92 - 30th 💖

Oh my god @Scotti84 I cannot believe your employer is behaving like that, that's pretty disgusting behaviour! I know it's not nice to have to be a bitch but you need to protect yourself & your bump at all costs. Not you may not be sick, there are still things you can do, but heavy lifting should not be one of them. Nor should working Sunday's if the rule has been that pregnant women don't normally. And don't get me started on changing your role! How is it fair to make you stand up & walk around for a whole shift if that's not something you were doing before?! I've worked in a hotel so I know everyone has to chip in when needed & where, but if my old employer had tried any of those stunts with me I would have definitely had something to say about this!
Has your boss got children? I've found it's the women that don't have children that tend to behave the way your boss has. Either that or it was so long ago they've forgotten what it's like to be pregnant.
Try to put your foot down, and if your boss has a boss maybe go to them with your problems. Good luck!!

@Shably I mean, talk to your employer and see if they are happy to get the ball rolling without your MATB1 and then you can submit it when you have it maybe? My HR is just so big and vague its like getting blood out of a stone (Civil Service) and they won't start anything without at least a copy of the MATB1. Nightmare eh?

@Scotti84 Im sorry that is so awful! absolutely don't lift anything you don't feel comfortable with, some women feel comfortable to do it. others don't. I have written in my RA i will not be doing any manual handling at all as like you, its first baby and i'm not taking any chances. Have they completed a risk assessment for you? Its also about your centre of gravity too when pregnant so lifting can be unsafe! Maybe speak to your Doctor and see if they could write you a note saying no lifting to be undertaken?

I'm with you all on nothing fitting now! I bought some large tshirts from primark and asda to sleep in and they are soooo comfy (completely unattractive) but a godsend for my belly. Im excited to just wear dresses once the weather hopefully cheers up

Thanks @Kirky658 and @GWhiteley I think I deffo need a chat then, we get them anyway but it’s not written like a holiday it’s just you get the day off if that makes sense so I should. They’re not very professional, they created a maternity policy as I returned to work from Mat leave 1, they didn’t know at that point I was already pregnant with no.2 🙊.

@Scotti84 erm.. what the fuck I hate that saying. Especially if it comes from a man who couldn’t have possibly have ever felt or been pregnant 😬. Definitely see your doctor, if you pull something or whatever you’ll be doing a lot less than you are now. It’s super easy too with all the hormones relaxing your ligaments/muscles.

@scotti84 sorry hun just seen your post about work, omg how do they think they can behave like that?! Like others have said there's a reason they tell you not to lift heavy weights etc, it can lead to you pulling something and then you end up with things like SPD and all sorts which would mean you would be virtually bed bound anyway! It's difficult but I think you really need to stand your ground with the boss and say no, these policies are in place for a reason especially the Sunday rule. Is it written down in an employee handbook or anything about your company policies? Also have they done a risk assessment yet? My boss does not have kids, has no desire to, so has been a bit arsey with me on the days I've been feeling poorly but I've put my foot down on going back out on visits and travelling, as much as she'd like me to that isn't happening.

I bought some maternity PJs from New Look... they are pretty comfy - leggings and a biggish t-shirt. Wouldn't be what I chose, but they are comfy and fit, which is all that matters right now!!

@Scotti84 I'm so sorry work is being so shoddy to you! I would definitely talk to them about risk assessments, safe lifting etc. You shouldn't be expected to do what you're not comfortable with.
A quick google shows you what you can say your rights are: maternityaction.org.uk/advice/health-and-safety-during-pregnancy-and-on-return-to-work/

Thanks for the support guys. Theres no formal risk assessment process really as we're only a team of 7, in normal times 12. No HR depth or anything. It has it'd upsides that it's informal but this is definitely a downside. My boss has two kids, early teens, but as its a family run business she had worked to the end of the pregnancy and was back working after 6 weeks too. She does live above the hotel, and the family eat from the restaurant and use the hotel kitchen so it's not like she made effort to go back to work, she was just there. Im not one to say no to helping, i just get on with stuff and i do normally love my job, I just hate being put in these positions and having to try and argue my reasons for wanting the protection im supposed to legally get.

Off now until Monday so will be catching up on sleep and have a few days to think it over. This is about the time I'd normally be reaching for a glass of wine... apple juice it is 🤦‍♀️

So I went to see the consultant, waste of time, he didnt know why the midwife had referred me and said my endo won't affect my pregnancy. Told him about the pains I'd been having and he shrugged it off as 'many pains happen during pregnancy, it's probably scar tissue stretching'. Asked if I could have bloods done to check for anemia, got told midwife will do those in 4 weeks time. Oh what fun! Least I got an afternoon off work!

@Scotti84 I'm sorry your work is being so unfair, hope you manage to sort something with them.

Does anyone know at what point we have a second set of bloods taken?

@KHR1 I had my 25 week midwife app yesterday & she said at my next app she would be taking bloods (think it's 28 weeks) but don't know if that's the same everywhere

Yeah same here with me @KHR1 28 weeks they take some more. I have to fast from 10pm on my birthday ☹️☹️

Thanks @GWhiteley and @FTEngineerM rubbish day for you to be fasting! I've booked my 28 week one at a stupid time so was hoping it would be quick but never thought about the bloods until @Kirky658 mentioned it. Also just realised that's the one that I've booked my whooping cough jab right before 🤦‍♀️

Yup me too @KHR1! I thought that would be a good idea but actually now I've remembered I'll be having bloods as well I wish I'd picked another date 😂 though my midwife didn't say anything bout fasting beforehand

It’s so bad that some employers are so terrible when it comes to maternity and pregnant ladies. I’m so lucky in my job and we get assigned a pregnancy SPOC at 12 weeks so they can help with any questions and things that need to be done!

I’m seeing the midwife today for my 25 week appointment (I’m 26 weeks today) and hoping to get my MATB1!

I have a glucose test thing on the 11th, I assume they will take my bloods then?

How is everyone with baby movements? I’m feeling a lot more now which is reassuring but it’s either a or nothing sometimes with my anterior placenta which worries me ay times!!

@CherLW I'm almost 23 weeks with an anterior placenta and don't really feel much movement 😞

Can't wait for a proper kick!

@CherLW I'm 25 weeks today and my movements are still mainly when I'm in bed. Sometimes not very strong but he is definitely there. When I think how little I felt
Him 3 weeks ago I feel good knowing how much more I will feel him from 28 weeks which is when he should be more consistent!

Whilst the pay isn't great (🤣) I'm feeling grateful to be self employed and being to manage my own work load and maternity leave. However my DP keeps joking I'm not allowed anytime off so some people are just clueless what we go through 🙈

25 weeks and anterior placenta here, movements are much stronger now, I love it! Although DH is yet to feel anything. Mostly when I'm lying down at night / first thing in the morning, I can't feel much when I'm up and about. She's pretty active around 3am most mornings!

I have glucose test at the beginning of June and the 28 week blood appointment at the end of June. I hate blood tests so not looking forward to so many in quick succession!

Hope you manage to sort something @Scotti84 I would find that situation so stressful.

@GWhiteley mine is the glucoses tolerance second blood draw so it has to be a fasted one, they took blood when it eaten a few weeks ago. You would have been told if you had to don’t worry.

I have 25 week today to @CherLW I think they need to give matb1 now?! I need to give it to work.

My midwife hasn't mentioned anything about a glucose test to me, I wonder whether everyone has them?

@Kat1112025 I think I was about 24 weeks when they become stronger and it’s kept getting stronger since!

@Bubbles1st mine started mainly when I was in bed and now pretty much when I’m doing anything! The midwife listened to the heartbeat this morning and could feel him kicking against the Doppler! She said she could see my stomach move when he did too!

@FTEngineerM I have just left the maternity centre and I forgot to ask about my MATB1 and she didn’t say anything!! Looks like another trip there for me 🙈

@GWhiteley I’ve heard different things... I’ve heard everyone has them and I’ve heard only people who tick one of the boxes has them... like BMI, parents with diabetes etc

@GWhiteley I've not had the glucose test and have had nothing mentioned so figure we obviously don't need them.

@GWhiteley my trust does the glucose test for all pregnant women at 25-28 weeks.

If you tick a high risk indicator you are offered it at 12 weeks as well.

I would check as to my knowledge everyone should have it.

Glucose test is generally offered if you meet one or more of the following:

BMI > 30 at booking in (or 35 depending on trust)

Family history of diabetes

Certain ethnicities, e.g. South Asian.

It isn't offered as standard on the NHS, but if they find sugar in your urine or you start having symptoms they may also schedule a test.

Ahhh, why do my paragraphs just disappear sometimes! 😡

I just had the glucose test this week, they do it here because I'm over 35.

Spoke to my gp about the work situation, he's said not to do anything I don't feel comfortable with, if there's too much then I should call the boss to come help and if she's still not happy or won't help then he'll sign me off until the birth. They have a form of leave here where I'd get full pay if I am unable to do my job because there's there's risk to me or the baby and it would then fall under that. I dont want to ruin the relationship with my boss but its a good option if she won't accept im not going to work like before.