Pregnancy related illnesses and benefits?

Spendless

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

I've just emailed a nanny service that sends babysitters for £5 an hour. It would be out of the question full time, but it occurs to me that if I could cope for just the morning or afternoon and I could get help a couple of days a week from friends, and my mum managed to make the 4-5 hour round trip at least every week last time (what an amazing woman she is!) then perhaps I'd only need help maybe 7 or 8 hours a week.

If someone could come round, I wouldn't have the expense of getting a taxi with him back from the nursery and of course I might not be able to do it. So it might not be a bad option. If she was nice and bonded with my son, she might even take him out and do some of the things my son and I do at the moment, so his routine wouldn't be turned on its head.

I wonder what their reply will be. Maybe because I'd be there they would only send a nanny and that's way out of my league! My friend told me what she pays in nursery fees and I don't think it's feasible.

And if I have to have spells in hospital, he might like to have a little holiday at granny and grandpa's house... Looks like I might need to get some people on board!

Let us know what they say. Re- your money towards childcare expenses, is your child benefit/tax credit money already spoken for in the family budget. If not could some or all of this money go into a savings account. There is a high interest account if you pay your child benefit into it, think its coventry bs, but you could find out more about the ts and cs by posting on the relevent board.

Gingham_Ribbon

Good question Spendless. Thanks. Actually, our child benefit and tax credit go straight into an account for my son's future. That's the savings acccount we set up for him before he was born in my name, so I'd have control of it. I don't want to use it all up because I really want him to have it when he's older, but there's no reason why I couldn't stop paying into it and use the money for childcare for a few months.

That would go quite a way to paying the extra costs involved. I hadn't thought of that!

You're all fantastic! Thank you for all the ideas and stories. x

Spendless

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

Good question Spendless. Thanks. Actually, our child benefit and tax credit go straight into an account for my son's future. That's the savings acccount we set up for him before he was born in my name, so I'd have control of it. I don't want to use it all up because I really want him to have it when he's older, but there's no reason why I couldn't stop paying into it and use the money for childcare for a few months.

That would go quite a way to paying the extra costs involved. I hadn't thought of that!

You're all fantastic! Thank you for all the ideas and stories. x

You could put it back in if not needed, or if you're not entirely comfortable with using your sons savings money you could always keep tabs on how much was spent and repay back at a later date-maybe when children are at full-time school and you've returned to work.

jellyhead

just to add, my son has enjoyed his little holidays at nanny's house while i've been pregnant, and his other nan even came to collect him on the train and took him back to hers for a weekend. we got him his own little suitcase for these visits and he had a great time. i think grandparents understand more than most the need for children to have attention and special time when their mum is pregnant and although you might feel like you're 'putting people out' they really do want to help. on the downside, my son asked if he can move into my mum's spare room until the baby sleeps through the night :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

Gingham Ribbon, Tharweb says here that paying voluntary NI conts for a previous year doesn't count towards claiming JSA or Incap Benefit. So forget that bright idea!

Spendless

I recently remembered that the chancellor said in his budget speech that nursery funding is changing from 12.5 hours to 15. I've looked up when this change is due to take place and he said "in 2007" but didn't clarify the month. Don't know if this will help you at all as don't know when you were thinking of trying but thought it might be of some help.

Gingham_Ribbon

All going well, I won't be waiting that long. I'm seeing an asthma specialist tomorrow. We'll see what he says... It's a bit like planning a military op here! The physio wants me to wait a bit and I'm supposed to be seeing an endocrinologist too...

Thank goodness for the NHS.

Gingham_Ribbon

Okay, this is where I'm at now. I spoke to the CIB who told me that I am unable to claim anything as I haven't been paying NI since I had my son. It seems that yet again the stay home parent doesn't count.

Anyway, the hospital appointment today was so positive that I actually had a bit of a cry with relief. He wants me to wait until 1) they can chart more fully how my hormones are affecting my asthma. 2) I've spoken to a specialist who deals with problem pregnancies and miscarriage. He told me she is a respected colleague that he works closely with often. He told me I will have really close supervision when I'm pregnant and 2 specialists that I can call on should I need to.

I can't believe it! I went through so much before and was passed from pillar to post in the hospital, staying in stroke wards etc with no one knowing what to do with me. This time, if I don't miscarry again, I know I'll have excellent care from the start.

I'm on top of the world.

The money is an issue but it's not the be all and end all. We have savings which were meant for the future, but at least they're there. I've got enough ideas from this thread to make it work. And we aren't half tightening our belts!

The other positive step I'm making is that I'm on a mission to lose weight. It's only been 4 days but I'm doing loads of exercise and am eating very well. Thanks again to everyone who's contributed to this. I'm feeling very optimistic!

Gingham_Ribbon

They've found what they think is the cause for the miscarriages! Good news but I have to have treatment so we're still waiting...

I'll let y'all know when there's anything to tell!

Savvy_Sue

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

They've found what they think is the cause for the miscarriages! Good news but I have to have treatment so we're still waiting...

I'll let y'all know when there's anything to tell!

Great news, GR, it's horrible when you just don't know what the cause is ... Best of luck to you!