First time mum, struggling to find work, please help!

[Futuremumneedingadvise]

Hi guys, this must be the first time I’ve ever posted on a forum, I hope there are some mums out there for some friendly advice.
I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant (unplanned) and have worked in the contracting industry for the last 6 years, with a very good rate of pay. My contract ended recently, since I’ve found out I’m pregnant with my first child, and I’ve struggled to find another contract since. I’m now, so I believe, bound to tell any future employers I’m pregnant and have found this is really starting to impact my ability to gain work (even though everyone I have spoken to says it doesn’t...it does)! I’ve never claimed benefits and have enjoyed my career for over 15 years. I’ve recently signed up for JSA against my will really, as my savings have dried up whilst I’ve been out of work, and am now becoming pretty anxious I won’t find a job, and will need to claim benefits when I have the baby. I do not judge people who do this is anyway, so please don’t think that is the case, I am simply coming to the realisation of the adjustments I may need to make. If this will be the case, I’m just looking for some advice as to whether it is realistic to support a child for the first few months simply on benefits without a partner? Money is very tight now and for the first time debts are starting to build. I also have a mortgage and of course all household bills to pay. I don’t even know what I am entitled to. I will also look to go back to work as soon as I can after giving birth, hopefully my mum will look after the baby, is it realistic I will be able to express and breastfeed for at least a year? Breast Feeding does mean an awful lot to me, and I wish to do anything I can to do this. Please, any guidance much appreciated, anxiety kicking in is probably an understatement! Sorry for the long post x

Just to add....it is also unlikely I will be accepted for Maternity Allowance x

A few questions. Your contract ended when you found out you were pregnant? Not sure I understand. Was it due to end anyway?

Can you sign up with an agency and do some temp work? They shouldn't care whether you're pregnant or not as the nature of the work is temporary anyway. Not that employers should care that your pregnant but as you say, some unfortunately do.

You say you hope your mum will look after the baby. You really need to ask her. What would happen if she doesn't want to?

Do you have a partner?

Re breastfeeding. There is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing this. Some women find it much harder than others and some women don't manage it, it can be very difficult, but there are lots of resources out there to help you if you want to try.

My contract has been renewed every 6 months for the last 5+ years, I was expecting renewal this time but advised due to budget aspects my role could not be extended. I have been directly managing the project for the majority of this time and my team were provided extensions, I was expecting the same so I can only assume, rather synically i know l, it was due to my pending pregnancy....this could not be the case of course. I’ve signed up with 3 agencies, a fourth this week hopefully following meeting, and had 2 permanent job interviews....one advising another candidate had more experience and the other stated they do not provide feedback. I’m also registered with 5 professional contracting agencies, and have applied for 2 short term contracts 2/3 months to take me up until pregnancy. Unfortunately, in the contracting world there are no rights as such, and at the moment I cannot fulfil the entire 6 months of most opportunities so again suggesting my pregnancy is impacting as most of the agencies haven’t even got back to me with roles. Hopefully something will come along, I’m not ready to give up until I can see this babies head :)
As for going back to work, I’d need to go back pretty much as soon as possible. My mum is retired and really excited about providing childcare, I suppose I’m just apprehensive it may be too much for her full time, although we’re definitely going to give it a ago. Ideally, I’d want to breast feed for the first month or two and then alternate with express fed and breast feed in the evenings, if this is feasible whilst I go back to work? That’s if everything goes to plan with the birth of course. I’m researching as much as possible but seem to get so many different answers about when to feed expressed by bottle! I’m clueless on this one!
As for partner, although we’re not together, we have tried and tried again, he put his life savings into a start up business around 9 months ago which hasn’t taken off so financially isn’t able to provide what he would like, although he is supportive and will definitely help all he can and provide as much childcare as possible. If the business doesn’t take off by the time the baby is due, he has suggested packing it in and looking for employment, hopefully this won’t need to be the case.
I’m just looking for advice from a worst case scenario I suppose, and a bit clueless with help/ support available, has anyone been in similar circumstances? I have an appointment this week with job centre to see what help is available if I am unsuccessful finding work in the short time, although my entire hopes are planned on I do!x