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 💖

Good news @Hopefulmummie hope it's all back to normal today

@hopefulmummie ahhh thank goodness was worried about you x

Waiting at the hospital for my insulin prescription after seeing the diabetic nurse. I called about more low fasting readings and she asked me to come straight in. Cried my eyes out.
Can't wait for scan and consultant appointment Monday to know he is ok and so far still so good.

So emotional 😭

Sorry to hear that @Bubbles1st. Is anyone with you? I think I'll be on insulin soon too. Still waiting for my consultant and scan appointments so glad you're being seen on Monday and hope that goes well. Totally understand you're emotional. Sending you a hug xx

I I went by myself as I literally called the clinic and she asked me To go in, didn't have time to wait for DP and just wanted to come home.

@AdventuresAwait thanks by the way and hope your appointment comes through ASAP!

@Kirky658 try not to stress about something that you can't control. My mum is a type 2 diabetic, sister type 1 and all my aunties have type 2 diabetes. I had put on weight over the first lockdown so was fat before I got pregnant and my gtt test was all clear. Sometimes its down to other risk factors and luck of the draw.

Re. movements..mine is more active in the evening and night but there are days when he's active the whole day and afternoons where he doesn't move that much. Is it always supposed to be the same pattern?

On another note, I'm quite worried as my midwife has said that they are now advising women to take mat leave from 28 weeks given the recent developments in the virus and lack of updated government guidelines especially if they are in more people facing jobs I.e. retail, teaching etc. My HR have been appalling in communication and as a result I have delayed sending in my MatB and formal letter as I need certain questions answered first to make an informed decision.
Does anyone know if the delay in sending it in after wk25 delays things or impacts negatively on pay and leave?

@Taybz send in your Mat B1 form either way. It doesn't commit you to taking leave on a certain date it just formally notifies them of your pregnancy and eligibility for maternity.

I don't think there is anything to be gained in delaying, unless they don't yet know you're pregnant?

I also think you can only start mat leave at the earliest 11 weeks before due date. The guidance is that work need to provide alternative arrangements from 28 weeks if it's a high risk role. Not that you start your mat leave (which would be disadvantageous to you).

@taybz send in your mat b1 by 25 weeks regardless otherwise it can affect your mat pay if you don't notify them on time. Xx

They know I'm pregnant as they were informed ages ago but they insist on a formal letter accompanying the MatB1 certificate that explicitly states I'm pregnant, when I'm taking leave, if and when I'm coming back etc. I would have sent it off a few weeks ago but it's the letter that's delaying things as my decisions around when I'm taking leave is now likely to be changed due to my midwife's advice and current developments in the virus.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

On working from 28 weeks:
"Where adjustments to the work environment and role are not possible (e.g. manufacturing/retail industries) and alternative work cannot be found, you should be suspended on paid leave"

There shouldn't be a case where you are forced to take mat leave early.

I suggest you send in your Mat B1 with just an email saying, "please find attached a copy of my Mat B1, due date [X]. I will follow up with a letter indicating my preferred leave dates after discussing with my [manager/partner/dog]." As Kirky658 says, you need to send in your MatB1 regardless. Please don't let their requirement for a formal letter delay you. The letter can wait.

@Kat1112025 @Kirky658 thank you so much! I'll do this straightaway especially as the delay is driving me mad. Sorry to be daft but just wondering, what's the difference between being suspended on full pay and taking maternity leave early? Is it just the financial repercussions? I.e if I take maternity leave at 28wks or get suspended on full pay at 28wks. 28wks is definitely not when I wanted to take mat leave! I'm a teacher for reference.

Suspended on full pay means exactly that: paid as normal just not working.
Taking mat leave early would mean eating into your overall mat leave so you'll have to come back earlier (if you were planning on taking a full year) or have a longer period on less pay.

neu.org.uk/advice/coronavirus-pregnancy-and-maternity-faqs

Some teacher specific advice. It seems they might be an arse about it. Hopefully you're part of a union who might be able to offer some more tailored advice and support?

Sorry to hear that @Bubbles1st it’s so hard with all this GD stuff! Just try and stay positive, they are keeping a close eye on your and the baby and only want to do what’s best for you both.
I have my initial call about readings at the end of next week and have no idea what to expect! Sending love xx

Thanks @CherLW I'm reminding myself of the bigger picture and looking forward to seeing baby boy Monday and hearing he is fine and this will all be worth it .

For those wondering about GD, the specialist nurse told me that it is different from diabetes outside of pregnancy. That pregnancy makes all women insulin resistant and it is the degree to which we are affected. Like we all react t
In different ways/degrees to pregnancy hormones too. She said it is linked to the pregnancy rather than diet before diagnosis.

@AdventuresAwait that’s good to know… I’ve been annoyed at myself how I must have done something wrong or ate the wrong things etc.
I like a cake etc as much as the next person but I don’t and have never gone crazy!
Im going to try and have some yogurt and strawberries tonight and see what the reading is after… so much to learn!

@AdventuresAwait that's what I got told today as had my app with the dietician & got my test kit etc.
Although I admit there are times I could have been a lot healthier, at least I know it's not all what I've put in my mouth!
She cleared up some questions I had & was very patient at explaining things so I understood them. Got to test 4 times a day though for the next 11 weeks 😩

@GWhiteley @AdventuresAwait what is everyone else doing regarding testing? I’ve been told to test 6 times a day until the baby is born! I have to do it before every meal and then 2 hours after…

That's more than me. I have to do it 4 times a day. First thing in the morning & then an hr after breakie, lunch & dinner all the way to the end of the pregnancy.
Got a growth scan on Tuesday to see how things are going

Just had my 1st Covid vaccine… they were so nice and fast tracked me in because of being pregnant! I had the Moderna, I’m hoping I’ll feel ok in the morning 🤞🏼

@CherLW I'm testing 4 times a day too. So weird how guidance varies so much.