MSE Pregnancy Club IV

feelinggood_2

I'm feeling Christmassy today! Hopefully (OH allowing) we'll be off to give my Brother and his Fiancee thier Christmas present. I want to give it to them because it is smelling my fridge out! Its a hamper from Fortnum & Mason with smelly cheese in, and it smells horrible! Hopefully its supposed to be like that, I've never been into that type of cheese. I struggle to buy him presents, he is a bit of a snob - likes the finest things in life, and likes to spend his money!

Also looking forward to it, its the first time I've seen any family since I was about 15 weeks pregnant, and I have a bump now Might take the DVD of the last scan to show him, I'm sure he is very interested in that!

redmel1621

Hi All

My first post on the new thread...it moves so fast...

Well last night was my staff night out, we went to a lovely pub/restaurant that has been recently refurbed, it was a great night out. The food was amazing too, and everyone commented on how nice I looked....although I think they were just humouring me so I didn't feel like a big fat frump!!!

AM - Sorry to hear about your friend.
I am finishing work at 32 weeks, I worked up to 35 weeks with my boys, I have two reasons for finishing earlier this time. 1, my back is in agony standing all day. 2, I am studying for a degree so want to get an assignment or two done before the baby arrives.

SB - At least the 13th has passed now, I am due thurday 12th March, and yep, the next day is friday the 13th!!!! I am keeping my fingers, and legs, crossed on that day, if babs hasn't made an arrival by then.

My mum phoned yesterday, her boyfriend has been admitted to hospital with TB, so she is going to have to stay away until she has had the all clear that she hasn't caught it off him. She is going to leave it until as close to Christmas day as possible before dropping the kids pressies round. He has been in hospital over a week already and will have to stay in for about another 2wks, until it is no longer contagious....It is strange because that is the third case of TB I have heard of in the last week...2 of which are local and 1 a little bit further afield....I hope it isn't making a comeback!!!

Anyway sorry for the long post, hope you are all felling OK.

Mel x

cazscoob

i was told a lot of the diseases/infections are coming back due to immigrants bringing it over to this country as they have not been immunised and also parents are reluctant to get their children immunised against anything due to the mmr scare etc.

looks like its gonna be one of they days charlie is driving me up the wall he just picked up a glass and threw in across the living room, he was not impressed getting his first smack! and i have got to do this all over again.... what am i doing???

mookiandco

astonsmummy wrote: »

Just a question for all you wokrers, at how many weeks are you going on maternity leave?

I can only really take 6 weeks off. They pay the normal 90% for the first 6 weeks then 50% for the next 6 months. We cant live off 50% really although it would cover the rent so if nescessary I can take up to 4 weeks more before I end up in the dreaded over draft. We have saved about £1300 for baby bits so far and i'm sure other people will buy us stuff, but the bills still need paying etc.

It breaks my heart that I cant take longer and my little one will have to go to a child minder but I dont have a choice. Also i'm a family solicitor and client's aren't too understanding if i take time off and I dont want my colleagues having to deal with them.

My eyes are welling up just thinking about leaving my baby and he/she's not even here yet.

elle_gee

Hi all.. I woke up at 9 but have been dozing in between every man and his dog phoning me. They all keep reminding me to get up, like I was supposed to be doing something this morning - I wasn't, and it was confusing me! I'm going out at 1 to see Four Christmases with my sister but even I'm capable of getting myself up for then! Grrr..

Has anyone seen any tops like this but without the clips for feeding? Maybe in a non-maternity shop? I've got one from BHS, years old now, which I've been wearing to sleep in for a bit of support but it's a size 12 and it's too tight around my boobs now! Keeps them in one place when I'm sleeping but they ache like anything when I take the vest off or have to sleep without it.

ETA: I'm a bit funny about buying anything too far ahead of time (like I'm tempting fate), hence not wanting to get the nursing ones from Mothercare just yet.

redmel1621

Mookiandco. When I had my first, I went back when he was only 4weeks old. It did break my heart. But I had no choice, so just had to lump it. I spent every other second I wasn't at work with him. Are you able to go back but maybe do a few less hours, or maybe arrange to do some work from home.

Mel x

Jvic28

mookiandco wrote: »

I can only really take 6 weeks off.

Me too. I've done a budget for the extended maternity leave and although it's possible, it really is living on the breadline. Just enough to survive....just. It's so unfair, I really wish I didn't have to leave my 1st baby at such a young age. Gutting.

feelinggood_2

Those going back to work - are you using a childminder? The reason I ask, is that if you are, you are going to make someone very happy! My Mum was a childminder, and she was over the moon when she had a 6 week old. He was gorgeous, such a lovely baby. Not much consolation for having to leave the baby, but at least you know its likely to be someone who is going to be very excited about having a baby during the day! (Hope that makes sense? I still remember how excited my Mum was when she was waiting for the baby to join us.)

Jvic28

Yeh, it looks like we'll be using a childminder. Well we will be when I can tear myself away and get back to work.

elle_gee

I haven't done the proper numbers yet, but going on the basis that I earn £1200 a month (after deductions), then I'll get £600 for doing half hours when I go back and £500 SMP for nine months before that, I only need to find £100 a month extra whilst I'm on mat leave to get the incomes to the same level as I'll be at when going back to work. Intend to have that top up saved before mat leave starts plus have all my own debts paid off.

I guess it's easier for me as me and OH live in a cheap part of the country and even easier for me as he pays the mortgage. We'll just be down to the bare minimum with not many treats. Plus I'm extremely lucky to have generous parents who will jump on any chance to help out - first (potentially only) grandchild syndrome!