OCTOBER 2024 BABIES - Thread 4

[CluelessInLondon]

Just getting another thread going as we are about to run out of space on the old one - hope nobody minds me taking the initiative on it!

Previous thread here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5028774-october-2024-babies-thread-3

@Sara1988 I think by the time you get to 12 weeks the dating doesn't really have much to do with when you ovulated and it's just about how big baby is - and then babies don't grown uniformly so it might measure differently at 20 weeks anyway! I was measuring ahead at my dating scan so they measured me at 13 weeks when I was 12+3 based on LMP, then at my anomaly scan I was measuring 19+3 rather than 20 weeks, which would put me bang in line with my LMP date again!

I decided today was a good time to bite the bullet and call the nursery that I'm hoping to send baby to - they don't have any places until next September which is really annoying as I want to go back to work in July. I know a few people have posted about nurseries already, but if you are wanting to send your little one to nursery, definitely start calling places up to get an idea of waiting lists!

@CluelessInLondon so we had a scan st 8 weeks and 12 weeks which perfectly agreed with each other measurement wise and then at my 20 week baby was exactly where it should be in terms or weight and size... so I think with me I may really have ovulated early.

I'm doing our nursery application this weekend! Very worried judging by comments

That's so crazy that nurseries are already booked up! I'll need one for October 2025.I might move next year, unsure of the area so that makes applying for nurseries even more tricky!

We just signed up for nursery starting October 2025 and they told us that the new nine month funding supposed to be coming in the September is causing a spike for them.

This was before the GE was announced though so the funding may not even happen 🤷‍♀️

I planned to work til my due date if nothing changes.

I have a week off beginning of October (meant to be in CentreParcs- not sure how wise that will be) but then I'll go back for a week and have a final easy last week. My first I finished the week before she was due. She was then 2 weeks off I had 3 weeks just being at home (lockdown) and feeling miserable. There is only so much cleaning you can do.

I really need to get the baby added to a nursery waiting list but still so many variables for me and my return to work

@bobbyrt I don't think the funding will happen even if the tories are still in power. There was meant to be a pilot scheme and they had to pull it because they couldn't afford it. They're just making promises they know they won't have to keep.

I agree @Sara1988 although to be fair I was convinced the 2yo funding wouldn't happen and it actually did. But Labour have been open that they won't commit to the Tory's childcare plans so potentially they could even row back and remove that funding even. Who knows.

@RobynC28 I'm in the same boat about planning to move next year so I'm not sure what to do. I definitely have to go back to work within a year so need to apply for places very soon!

I agree or they may move the earnings threshold so perhaps fewer families qualify for it e.g. change it from £100,000 to when one person or household income exceeds £70,000.

I do hope they do something with childcare funding though even for on paper higher earners. I have friends who work in the city who pay extortionate mortgages and childcare bills but have little income left over despite six figures salaries. Quite a few have quit which doesn't seem like what we want to encourage 🤷‍♀️

We have good jobs but a £1,500 childcare bill a month is pretty difficult!

I emailed a few nurseries this afternoon after the chat. One got back to me pretty quickly. £1,945 per month for 5 days 😩

Hi all just keeping an eye on thr new thread!
Just had 20wk anomaly scan and all.good.
Because of the high NT result we had a CVS which came back clear and a detailed extra heart scan, also clear. A lot of anxiety over the past few weeks but hopefully now can enjoy the pregnancy a little more.

Due 11th but will.be having a section so more like 5th/6th.

I'm also hoping to go back to my school job in July (only for a short time to qualify for summer holiday pay) but I think my husband will be able to take the time off to be with the baby for that week or so. We got on the nursery waitlist for September 2025.

@Scarftown it will be lush floating around in water for a week that far in your pregnancy it's the only time you feel weightless. I love CP :)

I'm also working in education so hoping to go back before the summer holidays too.. just gonna be hard on basic mat pay after a few months!

Eduction people! Remember you can do split parental leave so that you get paid during holidays and you can ask your school to spread your mat pay over the time your off into equal payments.

Been out this group for a wee while but 21+5 now! Hope everyone is doing well and lovely to hear about all the 20 week scans.

I have this odd feeling in my chest, feels like indigestion but its in my chest and just makes me feel awful all day. Gaviscon tablets slightly help but does anyone have the same?

Is anyone else's stomach in constant pain? I know some of it is round ligament pain but I'm als cramping here and there and just generally get pains.

@Sara1988 this last week I've noticed more pain too, around my lower belly and hips. I hadn't slowed down much to this point but just taking it as a sign to take it a bit easier on my body

@Sara1988
yes I have had a lot of pains.
cramps, sharp pains, muscle spasms all sorts! I was so worried I did get epu to check me over after 3 days of constant cramps but everything was fine.

@bobbyrt@LuxeBiscuit
I’m with you on crazy nursery fees.
we are having twins and ours is just shy of £4000 a month. I think I’m going to quit work as we dont have any family close by and we just simply can’t afford even if we got the 30 hours.
I really love having my own money and being independent so I’m taking it a bit hard. Although I’m very grateful and feel completely lucky to be having two!
the hard thing is my company doesnt have it written down anywhere if I have to work a certain amount of time after maternity leave to not have to pay my enhanced pay back. I don’t know how to ask them without them thinking I’m not coming back.

Yeah i have stomach cramps all the time. I looked into a nursery near me and it's £2.5k for 4 days a week. I'm on a good salary and that's barely worth me going back!

@RobynC28 £2.5k for 4 days is crazy! I assume you're in London so hopefully you have other choices. Well, unless you already have a child in that nursery already.

@30somethingttc would you consider a nanny or would you prefer to be home instead?

Those new to nursery, hopefully you are aware of the government 20% contribution? You need to sign up to the Govt account though. Any cash you put in there, the government add 20% on top and then the nursery is paid from that account. I know it isn’t significant enough to be the difference between staying off work or not, but it does really help if you are sending them to nursery/registered childcare providers anyway.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Point to note, you have to confirm your details are the same every 3 months or they won’t contribute. We learnt that the hard way one month when they didn’t add the 20% 🙄

@LuxeBiscuit Yes need to look into it! But anything that would net me out at nothing or near to nothing I could imagine I’d just end up staying home. Wouldn’t even know where to start to look for a nanny tbf!!

im a bit worried about some, what I would call, muscle spasms in the night at the top of my bump. It was very very fast rapid movement at two different points in the night. I’ve felt a few ‘pops’ or ‘bubbles now and again for the last few weeks but these have been very light and I haven’t felt much since the spasm. I’m worried it was one of the babies in distress. Anyone else had spasms in their stomach? I don’t have my nhs scan for another two and a half weeks and freaking out a bit that somethings not ok.

@30somethingttc I think if it were babies it would be lower down. Your internal organs are pushed up to the top of bump. I'd give your maternity assessment unit a call and explain symptoms. I'm sure it's nothing but they can put your mind at rest.