MSE Pregnancy Club 28

skintbuthappy81

euronorris wrote: »

And I think I have my first stretch mark on my boob! *sobs* Woke up with a red line on it, almost like I'd scratched myself, but I haven't. Oh well, sign of things to come I guess!

I religiously check my body everyday for the damn things, slather myself in bio oil day and night, so far so good but I know it is only a matter of time!! 29 weeks today:j

Toots14

Congrats littlemoog, hope you are enjoying lots of cuddles.


30 weeks today here! I had a dream last night I had the baby at 31 weeks, in the hospital but gave birth in my bath which we had taken to the hospital. Turned out I was having twins but no-one told me (a bit like Friends) and we called the second one, a girl, Ellie-Ann.

flutterbyuk25

FTM popping in from the 12-24 week thread to ask you all a question. I need to put notice to my employer about when I want to start maternity leave. I won't get my MATB1 form for 2 wks yet so I'm writing a letter today.

I am just wondering when you all decided to take your maternity from?

I am due 26th July. I will have 2 weeks annual leave to take before mat leave. I was thinking of putting 25th July as the mat leave start date, but am now wondering if that is too late? Should it be the week before?

Work wise, I've been moved to a less stressful and safer environment already (I work in a prison), so am now desk bound doing admin, which is easy but mindnumbingly boring! I do have a commute of 30 mins each way, almost all motorway driving.

Pregnancy wise I have been pretty lucky and felt okay throughout. Just suffered with headaches/migraines occasionally and general tiredness.

Part of me wants to go as long as I can for money reasons, the other part of me can't wait to finish as I'm so bored and isolated in work now I've moved depts. I don't want to return to this workplace after maternity leave although I may have to if I don't find alternative employment in mean time!

Any words of wisedom?

Sorry for the essay!

moneypenny21

Hi Flutter I am trying to work to 35 weeks this time but I only work part time and this is a quiet time of year for us so makes more sense. For example I work one day, off the next then work another day then off the next so I get a bit of recovery time and can work at home.

Last time I worked full time (also 30min commute), I was struggling, tired (anaemic), it was a busy time of year at work and I was grateful and desperate to take holidays at 32 weeks before starting maternity leave a bit later. So last time I was basically off or used my holidays to "go part time" by about 32 weeks.

If you can financially afford to finish sooner then go for it, you'll never have the same opportunity to enjoy maternity leave in the same way again (if you have a 2nd child, you'll have the first one to sort out!). Good luck deciding.

Toots - great dream! Is that one of your names or a totally random dream name?

Glad your BP is ok Euronorris

I'm a great believer in that you get stretch marks if you get them and don't if you don't. I am unfortunately one who does no matter how much bio oil I slather on. Happily this time, the old silvery lines are just filling up with skin again so no new ones....YET!!!!!!

Toots14

Not one of our names but my friend had a wee girl yesterday and called her Eilidh so wonder if it is something to do with that!


Flutter - I finish work on 20th May and taking a weeks holiday. I will then start Maternity Leave from 30th May (due date 9th June). I work in an office, sit at a desk all day and have a 25 minute commute which is mostly dual carriage way. I am fine with driving at the moment but think I might struggle over the next few weeks so will have to resort to the bus. I do work a 3 minute drive from the hospital but live 30 minute drive away so maybe better to be at work!


My belly is stretch mark free but my thighs looks terrible!

kroberts

flutterbyuk25 - I finished work for maternity leave at just over 36 weeks. I probably could have gone for a bit longer but as I had my 1st son at just over 38 weeks after 1 week of holiday I thought this time I'd leave a bit earlier. Also it tied in well with the easter holidays. My thinking was the holiday leave I have left for this year I may want to use at the end of my maternity leave.

euronorris

I am starting maternity leave at 38 weeks, but going off 2 days before as I have 2 days holiday to use beforehand. So, last day in office is 1st June.


I'm in the office, 20 minute walk to and from work (5 minute drive), 10 minute walk from doctor's office and only 15-20 minutes from hospital either way. Plus, I only get SMP at my work, nothing extra, so I'm trying to maximise the amount of time with baby, with the 90% pay.


This is all flexible though, and subject to change if a C-section for breech baby is required, as I understand they'll likely do it around 37 weeks.


I do wish I could start maternity leave earlier though, as I am getting more and more tired, but it's not a financially viable option for us.


The 'stretch mark' has gone down a lot today, so don't know what to make of it now. Am very lucky so far, as that is the only one I've come across. I did get them in puberty, so was expecting them with pregnancy. My sister said she didn't get any. I'm hoping I'll be the same (probably wishful thinking).


And welcome Flutter!

flutterbyuk25

Thanks all for your input, maybe I should start it earlier. In my head I want to! I will speak with OH tonight and submit my letter tomorrow.

My hospital is 15 mins away from home, 45 mins from work. But there is a hospital 5 mins from work too in an emergency (and we have onsite drs/nurses etc)! I worry that driving will be too much towards the end, it's ok now, but there is no public transport option for me to get here. I may be able to find a car share for a few weeks but that will end up adding time to working day as I work a different shift to most here.

Euronorris - thanks! Though I still have 5 days left til 24 weeks so I'm going to bounce between both threads . Re stretchmarks, I have loads already! Had a few before pregnancy too so not bothered. But I've also had a few red lines, couple on boobs and one on belly, which have gone within a few days. I presumed I'd scratched myself without knowing!

skintbuthappy81

Flutter- My maternity leave starts the day I am due to give birth, but I have taken 2 weeks leave prior to it so will be finishing at 38 weeks. I am in the same position as you I am a Police Officer so currently on restricted duties which can be mind numbing. I would much rather work until my due date and spend more time with the baby when he is here.

euronorris

I did wonder if I'd scratched myself, but it's not sore, and it kinda forks lol. Still, a few stretch marks on the boobs (or anywhere else for that matter) are a small price to pay for a baby in my arms at the end of it


Midwife called whilst I was on my lunch break and would still like to see me on Tuesday, just to double check BP again. Although she did say it sounds like it was most likely the cold that caused it to rise. So, they're probably being over cautious but I'd rather that than the other way around.