12-24 weeks pregnant (part 4)

FreddieFrugal

Well I'm exhausted! Started the work on improving the sound insulation in what will be our child's bedroom.

Removed the carpet and underlay. Took off the skirting boards and architrave around the door.

Started smashing the plasterboard off the party wall, then removing the adhesive dabs from the wall. Hard and dusty work. Did as much as I could today, got a lot further than I expected. Stopped when I couldn't lift the hammer any longer!

OH is fine just a bit tired. Her nausea seems to have mostly gone now. Bump seems to be growing every day. wont be long until other people can tell I'm sure.

Our anniversary yesterday. Took a picnic out to North York Moors. I even made 'dainty' sandwiches with the crusts chopped off and everything! Was lovely day.

flutterbyuk25

I have been feeling really uncomfortable in work this week around my bump and silly me only realised today that it's due to my work belt! I work in a prison so have to wear a belt with keys on, can't remove it all all (even when sitting at my desk in an area with no prisoners!). I got a super duper long belt from the stores and am now experimenting with the front bit under my bump and the back bit on my wait (it goes over clothing not through trouser loops). My god do I feel instantly better!

I'm about to submit my letter to start maternity leave, decided on 37week so that will be 4th July. Suddenly seems very near!!

Gelly123

Hi Flutter, well done on working out what was making you so uncomfortable - it must be such a relief!

I've just started to get achy hips when I'm sat down for any period of time and it takes a short while to get moving again when I stand up so little lady is clearly making her presence felt more now.

We're off to collect a car tomorrow. Hubby's car was on a lease that's about to end so we've had to get something else. Have opted for the Honda CRV - it's pretty big but we not only have a new pram to worry about but the boot has to be big enough for a wheelchair for Mum too so a big car it is!

I submitted to HR my intention to start annual leave followed my maternity leave on Friday 24th June - that's only 13 weeks left at work - eeeek! Quite looking forward to it but equally, having been here for 11.5 years, it feels odd that I'm actually leaving albeit planning to return - but have already been told that if I wanted to come back part time, it will not be allowed.

Hope you are all well and looking forward to the weekend?
Gelly
x

euronorris

On what basis will it not be allowed? I know they don't have to agree, but you have a right to ask and have it be considered seriously by your employer.


From this site: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/parental-rights/maternity-leave/#h-right-to-return-part-time


'You have no automatic right to return to work part time after maternity leave. However, you may have the right to ask for flexible working and this request must be considered seriously by your employer. If they do not consider it seriously, this could be discrimination.'


ETA: Saying a strong no, before you've even gone on maternity leave, let alone actually seriously considering your request seems a bit premature to me!

Gelly123

Thanks Euro - I know they have to consider it but having been here 11.5 years, everybody that does the same job as me (PA) and has ever gone off on maternity leave and asked to come back part time, has been declined.

I'm not sure if I do want to work part time or will need to return full time but they make it up as they go then cover themselves by "pretending" to consider when they've already made their minds up.

Also, I am grateful for any increase, know a lot of people don't get anything but was told my salary increase on Tuesday for this year and it's lower than the previous 4 years because of everything that happened last year - it affected me and my work plus the company apparently. I'm sorry I lost babies number 5 & 6 and then my Dad.....

So much for loyalty eh!

euronorris

I'm sorry to hear that Gelly That's a really sh**ty thing to do. I think they're probably walking a thin line there as well, with regards to discrimination. Some work places are just awful at this stuff!


Still, positive thinking and all that - you'll get to have a baby in your arms this year!!

Gelly123

I know, crappy employer eh!

As you say, our rainbow will hopefully be with us before we know it and that's all we want in our lives.

Roll on July - can't wait
x

crazy-cat-lady_2

It's the same at our place. We can't go back part time either. One woman I work with has had three kids under 5 while working there and they still won't let her. Crazy. It wouldn't make any difference to them, wouldn't disrupt anything. I think some places like to be awkward as long as they can get away with it.

tatabubbly

Oh Gelly, that sucks! I've gave up work - we live abroad so no chance of any part time roles and no one here to look after baby for us. Maternity leave is 60 days, including days taken before so I wasn't happy! We were lucky - managed to move to a cheaper house and DH also got a pay rise so covered my wages. I'll miss work but time is precious when they are you young and I'm still in my 20s so I've lots of time to work for my pension etc when she is school age.

FreddieFrugal

Hope everyone's well today. Your employer does sound crap Gelly. Not long til July!

We went browsing for baby stuff yesterday, not to buy, just to see things in person. Some things are so expensive but I can see why people end up spending so much. Even though I'm normally incredibly tight fisted I feel unusually willing to spend money since it's going to be for our baby.

Just need to remember that there's little point spending loads on clothes they're only going to wear for a couple months when that money can be invested in other longer lasting things. Asda seem to do nice value packs of baby clothes.

Picked up Emma's diary pack, had Johnson baby oil and stuff in. Dissapointed that none of the packs so far have had any clothes in. The picture we saw had a cute little hat or a pair of socks. No such luck!

The first bounty pack was nothing but a small tub of sudocream and a load of vouchers for dodgy websites, or for things that were still overpriced even with vouchers!