Hi everyone.
I'm 26 weeks pregnant and starting to have second thoughts about whether or not this is right for me.
I had my Mirena coil removed as it was due for removal or change, and we decided we would just see what happens.. nothing did for about 2 years. Then whilst on holiday in October, I became pregnant.
I was in the process of changing jobs because we had moved from the North West to the East Midlands, and didn't realise at the time that this would mean I get no SMP, only £656 mat allowance per month. So when I became pregnant and we decided to keep the baby, I didn't realise the financial turmoil we'd be launching ourselves into. If I had known, I probably would have aborted and then we would wait until I was in my job long enough to qualify for mat pay.
Anyway, I'm now at the point where it's too late to consider termination, and having had 4D scans and getting daily movement, I am very excited to meet my baby, but I am absolutely terrified at the thought of the financial situation we will be in. My partner earns a good wage, so we aren't eligible for any benefits, but the majority of his money goes to paying off debts from over 10 years ago, so we don't actually have that much money.
How have other people dealt with the financial ramifications of having a baby? My sister-in-law has been very kind and given us all her baby stuff so fortunately we don't have to find money for that, but paying rent and bills will be a serious issue. I'm terrified we have made a huge mistake and will be scraping by for the rest of our lives, never able to get married or buy a house or go on holiday or even buy new clothes.