Due in July 2025

[Wishing4Snow]

Hello! Apologies if there is a July thread already (I couldn’t find one). Is there anyone else due in July who would like to chat during the journey?

Hi ladies hope you are all doing well and those who have had their 20 week scans, glad all is well. Always so stressful, I have mine next week and it's felt like a looong wait. Excited but very nervous.

I have some questions if anyone is/has been in this situation.

1. Has anyone requested their employer for enhanced maternity pay? What's the best way around this to request. Something that I will be doing soon.

1. Would you travel on a work trip at 23 weeks pregnant, with type 2 diabetes and currently on insulin. I'm on the fence and not sure what to do. Haven't spoken to my midwife/Consultant yet. I have an appt next week Friday with both

Thank you in advance

Hi @RG84 Welcome and congratulations! Sorry I don't know the answer to your first question as I'm a teacher but maybe your HR might be able to help you if you ask them informally at first? About your 2nd question, will you be travelling far? Sorry I'm not much help with either x

@3rdbabytime thank you for your message. Regarding the enhanced maternity, I have requested a meeting with our HR business partner for next week but I don't think HR will be able to approve this. This maybe a CEO or even the board decision and that's probably a process so want to get the ball rolling. I have drafted my letter and just wanted to make sure I also have the key points of my reasons etc.

The Travel is local, I had another trip in May but that's a 11 hour flight which I declined straight away. The trip in question is only Ireland but as this is my last pregnancy, I don't want any issues. Guess it's just me being precautious and paranoid maybe. I don't know but my heart is saying no.

@RG84 Good luck with the enhanced maternity process, hope it's straight forward for you and you get what you want. About the trip, I'd go with my gut instinct. So if your heart is saying no and you think that's best then probably best not to go. I know lots of women travel while pregnant but I don't know if having diabetes changes the risk. Hopefully your midwife and consultant will be able to provide better guidance and advice.

@3rdbabytime thanks so much, I really hope they approve this as we all know the current cost of living is TOUGH.
You're right I need to go with my heart, I just can't and don't want to take any risks.

Hi all I’ve got my 20 week scan this afternoon and I’m really quite nervous so any words of encouragement welcome! 🤗 I did have a question do I need to go with a reasonably full bladder like 12 weeks? I can’t see anything about this on my appointment stuff but I’m assuming I do? Thanks so much!

@MrsBP15 Excited for you! I went with a full bladder as it helps with giving a clearer view of baby x

Thank you @3rdbabytime 🙏🏻 I’m both really nervous and excited. I’ll go with a fullish bladder like last time, that seemed to do the trick!

@3rdbabytime meant to say congratulations on your scan a few days ago 🎉 great to hear all is well with your little girl x

Thank you @MrsBP15, looking forward to hearing about your scan!

How did it go @MrsBP15

Hi @3rdbabytime everything was great and we’ve found out we are having a little girl 🎉🥰🥹 she was sucking her thumb and everything! So happy!x

@RG84
hi just saw your post about asking for enhanced maternity pay, I didn’t know this was something people did, now I want to!! I only get statutory! How did your request go?

Congratulations @MrsBP15 really pleased for you!!🤗

@Frenchtoastie I never requested this for previous pregnancy but I really want to request it. Its the discretion of your employer. I want to request a minimum of 4 months full pay. I have a meeting with our HR next week on the 20th so I will see who I address my request too. My letter is good to go and it basically just states reasons, such as cost of living, financial outgoings, loyal employer for the last 10 years, employer looking out for employees and the fact that most UK companies offer this to their employees. My head office including HR are based in SA. Granted its our decision to have a baby but we shouldn't be penalised for wanting a baby and requesting for an enhancement.
You should request it, the worst they'll say is no right so worth asking.

Thank you @3rdbabytime we obviously would have been delighted either way and are just happy she’s looking healthy and happy! Hope you’re doing well xx

Hi all hope you’re all doing well and enjoying the sunshine!

I just wondered if anyone here had had an elective c-section or was planning on having one?

@mrsbp15 hi, definitely enjoying the sun, working but enjoying it.

I'll be having a c-section booked. This would be the 3rd one. It's also however recommended by my consultant. Is this something you wish to do?

Thanks @RG84 yes I’m hoping to have an elective c-section. Meeting with the consultant next week to discuss.

This makes complete sense! Absolutely love this request I hope it works for you. I might ask aswell. I highly doubt I will get anything as I only get the minimium 6 weeks at 90% it’s truly shocking!

I was wondering if too. It’s my first baby I have so many worries about birth.
are you requesting one? Is it your first baby? X

Hi @Frenchtoastie yes my first baby too, conceived via ivf last year. I’ll be 39 by the time she arrives. I’m meeting with the consultant next week and will be asking them about having an elective c-section. I’ve already mentioned it to midwife at 16 week appointment and she said there won’t be a problem with me requesting one and the consultant can talk me through risks etc.

Yeah they have to allow maternal requests, I have been wondering if to do the same I’m not sure what birth I would like, how did you come to the decision?

@Frenchtoastie well I’ve had a while to think about it as it took 2 and a half years (and a round of ivf) for me to get pregnant. In that time (and before) many friends have given birth in various ways and I think through hearing their stories I’ve come to the conclusion that this is what I want. Part of it is to avoid the risk of an emergency c-section and part of it is that I just can’t get my head around a vaginal birth for me. I totally respect people that do it and totally get why you would but everyone is different. Also if I had had a baby 5/10 years ago it might be a different story but here I am at 39 (or will be) and I just think this is best for me and the baby. I know there are risks and I know recovery can often be really tough but as I say, I’ve heard lots of stories from people I am very close with and have made an assessment from that and my own research. We’ll see what Tuesday brings though! Hope you manage to come to an informed decision that is best for you ☺️

@MrsBP15 I'm considering an elective CS this time. I had an emergency last time after quite a difficult labour. Recovery was really tough (six months of infection and pain as a result) but it was the best solution at the time. I met with a consultant this week to discuss and she was really lovely. We were never able to get a debrief following my last birth so she went over everything that happened with me, which was really upsetting to hear because we had no idea what had gone on. Birth is just so many unknowns. I would absolutely want to labour and have a VBAC over a CS if I knew everything would go smoothly but I'm worried about an emergency situation arising after what happened last time. If I go for a CS (and I think I will) it won't be until after 39 weeks but I went at 37 weeks last time and the doctor said it's likely I'll likely go early again so I might need to labour for a bit then I'll have a choice whether to have a CS or not once labour starts. It's so difficult to know what to do and, as much as the consultant was lovely, we came away from the meeting with so many unknowns and uncertainties, you just need to go with whatever feels best at the time.