MSE Pregnancy Club 26

lippy1923

Has anyone had any tesco clubcard points they have saved and used it for your little one?

This is my first baby and we haven't got everything we need yet.
Got basics, like cot, car seat and pushchair but just wondered if anyone got any good bargins using clubcard points and what they may have brought.

I have about £18 saved up (prob more now I have used my credit card a bit in the last month or so) but not sure what to spend them on.

Any ideas? x

Bangton

Wow! They don't even give you paracetamol! Mind you I had an op last October and was told to supply my own pain relief too.

I was questioning my maternity pay a few days ago and finally got round to ringing to be told it is correct. Basically as I am paid monthly I expected that work were ensuring my salary was 100% for 3 months (even though their policy clearly states 12 weeks). My pay dates are set to 18th of every month but the first 3 months of maternity would actually be 13 weeks not 12 so effectively I have lost a weeks wage in there that I was anticipating I would get as I assumed they would just pro rata any extra days in the monthly period to ensure full pay on each of those 3 months. I didn't realise SMP was strictly on a FULL weekly basis.

I don't know if anyone else is getting any occupational maternity pay of sorts but if you are be sure to factor in the specific weeks not the months if you are paid monthly. Luckily, I earned a significant amount more in my qualifying months (May and June) due to overtime so that has meant my total loss is about half my weekly salary but it's still hurt a little even though we are fine. I do feel like I've been pretty dumb there too as it's quite obvious when pointed out!

Aside from that we've had a new kitchen floor fitted and neither of us are keen! We've gone from grey to off white and it seems too sparse and weird but then I don't really like the kitchen anyway. We couldn't stretch to a new one so wanted to just deck it out a little better but it hasn't worked out. We might get used to it but we have a grey work top and off white floor now and it just doesn't seem right. In my mind I'm thinking we need a new worktop now so I'm going to close the door to that room and just get over it. Rest of house is beautiful. Can't have everything in life! We couldn't keep old floor anyway as it was damaged.

It's all my fault as well as I picked it!

Hope everyone else is well. I woke up this morning to heavy rain and didn't have to head to work! That was awesome just lying in bed knowing the day is mine. And to think this time last week I was practically crying at finishing for maternity leave...I haven't looked back. Did the garden yesterday, went to the tip, got some plants in B&Q. Today I've lined my drawers with scented drawer liners from Laura Ashley! It's just one big field day at moment!

TTC40

lippy1923 wrote: »

Has anyone had any tesco clubcard points they have saved and used it for your little one?

This is my first baby and we haven't got everything we need yet.
Got basics, like cot, car seat and pushchair but just wondered if anyone got any good bargins using clubcard points and what they may have brought.

I have about £18 saved up (prob more now I have used my credit card a bit in the last month or so) but not sure what to spend them on.

Any ideas? x

I had £27 which I spent on the double up last night. Bought a couple of sleeping bags - 0 to 6 & 6 to 18

http://www.tesco.com/direct/by-carla-lazy-days-25-tog-sleeves-sleeping-bag-6-to-18-months/124-9464.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=124-9464

Also bought these fitted sheets

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-loves-baby-cotbed-jersey-fitted-sheet-2-pack-white/618-2010.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=618-2010

Don't forget that you get double the value at the moment with the Clubcard Boost on most baby stuff. I ordered online from Tesco Direct with free delivery

lobey

Just heard from a pregnant friend at work that they have refused her working any days from home when she gets back- she's currently about 22 weeks. Isn't that a bit soon to reject a request or is that standard procedure? Just wondering as I was hoping to work 2 days from home with bubs in nursery and 1 day in the office with baby with grandparents. The funny part is when mat pay was raised years back (only get SMP) they said not possible as we're a charity but they pride themselves on flexible working arrangements on return to work! Feeling cross

cloudy11

Lobey- employers don't have to grant any request for flexible working, you just have the right to ask and for it to be considered. I am not sure on the time frame though. I already know I won't be able to change my hours from full time Mon-Fri which is quite frustrating but it's their perogative.

I also only get SMP, which I suppose makes it better if I don't want to return as there won't be anything to pay back.

lobey

Thanks Cloudy. The reason I thought I was in with a shot is that another friend has been on 2 mat leaves and now works from home 2 days a week in my department. To hear they're 'clamping down' is kind of funny when most of the working mums at work are currently allowed to work from home.

RebekahR

Knock Knock - Just shoving my head in the door I have some little boy tiny sized sleep suits that we no longer need. Jess was in them for a few weeks when she was born as she was a tiny 5lb 11oz. We had guessed she would be tiny as I am very petite. If anyone knows they are going to have or suspect like me then they can have our little suits if they want them? If there is any interest drop me a pm and i'll link you to the piccies

bride2be2012

Just a wee heads up to anyone who gets their grocery shopping delivered, asda are offering a 'delivery pass' for £5, then you can have as many grocery deliveries as you like in the next month (think there's a minimum spend of £25 an order). Works out a bargain for me, as the delivery slot I wanted was gong to be £5.50! And now I can have free delivery up until bean arrives - no more trailing round the shop!

Poppy27

Re. Pain relief, I'm also hoping to use gas and air with a water birth and avoid the 'harder' stuff. I'm scared of having an epidural frankly, and don't want to lose control. My friend said pethadine made her sick and made her baby groggy, so I'm hoping to avoid that too.

FYI for anyone worried about being less able to push with an epidural, at a recent antenatal class we were told you should hold your fist up to your mouth and exhale through your fist, as it apparently puts more focus on your perineum and helps you make sure you're pushing in the right place.

I'm quite anti-hospital and ideally would like to avoid medical intervention where possible, but the MLU i'm planning on using is attached to the hospital so it's nice to have the reassurance that there are doctors and drugs just down the corridor!

amus

A lot of people seem reluctant to have an epidural but TBH it would be my first choice over any other drug (aside from gas and air) because it doesn't effect the baby. And it really isn't painful (not compared to contractions anyway!).

After having a spinal (CS with DS1) I wouldn't have hesitated to have an epidural with DS2 the relief felt is immense. Unfortunately they put me on the ward at 3cm dilated and told me it was too early, an hour later after buzzing the midwife found out I was 8cm and was told it was too late. Suffice to say I wasn't happy when I ended up having to have a spinal afterwards to be stitched up, could have avoided a whole lot of pain if they'd let me have one in the first place.


Also just to add, I didn't feel any better for feeling everything, in fact I was pretty traumatised and quite unable to 'take in' my son at first as i was too busy trying to figure out what on earth had just happened. I'm sure it's different if you have an uncomplicated birth, but for me, an epidural would be a winner every time over anything else!