Due August 2024 - Part 2

[SunSparkle]

New thread!

@Becsim
@curlywurly1991
@graceinc22
@snookypook
@etaketak1991
@elg90
@lottiew93

I just tagged a few names off the last thread page. Hopefully everyone else will find it or can you tag some more people.

How's everyone doing?

@EmG12 I ended up calling Boots in frustration, and they kindly did some research for me. Our local hospital is still doing walk in clinics, so I ended up going there. Covid still very much going around where we are, so not sure if this is the same everywhere.

Does anyone have their 16 week midwife appointment coming up? Mine's on Thursday and she's already told me that we'll be listening to the heartbeat - so nervous! I jear that it's difficult to find so early on, and I'll only be 15+4 then. H

@RiverBear hey I’ve got my 16 week appointment on Friday… I didn’t know that’s was what happened at 16 week appointment… I’ve heard my baby’s heartbeat a few times at my ultrasound scans how does it differ? I’ll be 16 + 3 days… I feel like I learn something new every day with pregnancy.. 🫢🫨🫨

@CharTT33 if it's 16 week midwife it's usually just a pointless appointment I found last time lol. They gave me my blood results about weather the baby was at risk of downs and other syndromes and then I'm sure they have a feel of your belly and use a Doppler to listen to the heartbeat.
If it's 16wk at ante natal you have a gestational diabetes test.

@Mummy2823 I had no idea they were too different appointments… I have a midwife appointment… it will be interesting to see what they actually do then..

@CharTT33 ooh with me my midwife appointments are at the GP surgery and then ante natal is at the hospital.
They also do a urine sample at every single appointment so I started taking one with me last time instead of having to do it there lol

@Mummy2823 oh both mine are at the hospital… I have no clue what the difference even is… I just want to get to my due date and have a healthy pregnancy and then boom nah is here… hahahaha is that tooo much to ask for ??!

Oh lucky, I've not heard baby's heartbeat at any scans, the machines here in North Wales must not be as high-tech! Did they find the heartbeat with the doppler quite easily for you?

Guys don't know what to do.

My work place is very understaffed and we've tried to get a new person in. But it's looking like that isn't happening which means when I go on maternity leave there will only be 2 people who can do my job. We are very over stretched.

I really don't see how I can go on maternity leave, as I don't want to leave people stressed and over worked.

@Mummy2823 sorry I forgot to update 😂 we're having another little boy 💙 my DS is super excited he keeps saying it's just what I wanted. I've been out shopping already although I have so many clothes saved I need to go through them all!

Has anyone started to feel any flutters yet? the midwife asked me at my 16 week apt and I hadn't which she said is fine but I'm nearly now 17 weeks so hoping to start feeling him within the next week or so especially with it being my second pregnancy!

@Fawklight I was in a similar position last year when I went on maternity leave. However, it is what it is, don't stress about it, you're entitled to time to rest before, and time to bond after your baby arrives.
Your company would have had plenty of notice to hire a temporary replacement so if they haven't that's on them

@helllothere aww congrats! 💙
I'm trying not to buy anything as we have so much! My daughter was all in white until 6 months and it's basically all unisex so I'm sorted either way really

Oh you should be able to hear the heartbeat fine now, I first heard mine at my 8 week scan

Had my gender scan on Saturday and it's a girl 🥰

@Mummy2823
It's not so much of when they get someone new in. It's more the issue of HR refusing to get someone new in because they think we can cope.

That's why I feel I shouldn't. Because I know no one will be replacing the gap.

@Fawklight they'll soon see that they can't cope. You need to try and not worry about work or what's happening in work. You need time for you and baby

@Fawklight even if you feel bad for your colleagues, it's ultimately a problem with HR not a problem with you or your mat leave. Don't feel pressurised to go back sooner than you otherwise would have - it's up to the company to set your team up for success. If they fail to do so, then it's an issue with their ability to plan and budget.

@Fawklight absolutely agree with the other ladies on this one. It's not on you. You and your baby are the priority. It's great you care about the business but you will never ever get this time back again. Also if you were to cut Mat Leave short etc you'd only be enabling the poor decision making at the company. Mat Leave cover isn't adding new staff, it's maintaining existing levels. So even if they think your team don't need more people, they can surely see they need to at least replace you. Anyway, it's really not your problem. I know it feels like it is, but it isn't. This kind of thing gets me quite angry!

Ah congrats! With my son I was 19wks before I felt anything... This time I'm sure I've felt a few flutters over the last week and I'm only 15wks today. But they've been very sporadic and super faint... Just like little fluttery feelings. Different from gas though for sure. I think it must be the baby but it seems very surreal!

Congratulations! 🥰

@SnookyPook I think I just felt a tiny flutter! With DS I didn't feel anything around the 24 week mark. I'm 15 weeks.

@Fawklight they still have months to find a temp. I know it can be hard but you need to detach it isn't your issue.

15+4 today with baby no 2 and I think I've felt flutters over the last couple of days! Pretty sure I was more 18/19 weeks with my son! Eeek!

I can’t wait to feel flutters or something… does anyone know exactly what happens at 16 weeks midwife appointment?

@CharTT33 from what I remember it was a bit of a nothing appointment, but blood pressure, urine sample etc. Dome trusts may try and listen to the heartbeat but I know mine doesn't xx

My Trust gave me this at the booking appointment. Everywhere will be a bit different but I imagine they will roughly follow a similar pattern. 😊