September Stars

[tinytabby]

Eek! I have, but then that was because I was so sick and it was affecting my ability to function at work!

When will you tell them?

 

[Smile181c]

I don't have my 20w scan date either

I told work ages ago!

 

[Poshie]

Well I was planning on telling them this week but my director has gone on paternity leave (his baby came early). The only other senior person is the CEO and I don't want to tell him! It's difficult. I told a colleague and she seemed to guess anyway so I wonder whether they are expecting it......... my director also mentioned last week that I didn't seem like quite my usual perky self and was everything ok.....I guess I'll either have to email my director or wait for him to get back, by which time I will be nearly 17 weeks

 

[loves_cookies]

I told my line manager unofficially at 5 weeks. I told HR properly last week when they asked me when I plan on starting my maternity leave and I've rather enjoyed working it all out. I've been saving nearly all my annual leave, so I plan to finish on 8th August and I have enough leave to then not start my maternity leave until 10th September. I only get statutory maternity leave though, so I'm a bit apprehensive about money.

Has anyone else made plans yet?

 

[tinytabby]

I was waiting for my official due date, which they gave me yesterday - the 5th of September! I think I'll probably stop 3 weeks before, use whatever holidays I have left (not much as I only get 20 days a year). We get quite a good maternity package but I'm still worrying about money!

Poshie - you can tell them as late as 26 weeks (I think). Might be better to wait for your actual boss to come back so you can tell him in person?

 

[Poshie]

I only get statutory maternity pay too, cookies. It was tough of course but it paid for the weekly shop at least. I saved up my annual leave last time too which was nice. I am planning on taking any remaining leave prior to taking maternity leave and work as long as physically possible. The good news is that you accrue your annual leave whilst you are on maternity leave which means, you can go back to work even later or perhaps part time for a while (that's what I did). I haven't worked all the dates out yet but will do when I tell work

TT - yes, you are right. I did a check thing on a gov uk website and the latest I can tell work is something like 26 May, so ages! I will wait and tell my director when he gets back I think

 

[Poshie]

Oh and last time I finished work 3 weeks before my son arrived, so same as your plan TT

 

[Smile181c]

My due date is the 9th, then my mat leave will start on the 10th (as the 9th is a Sunday) but I'll be on annual leave from the 10th August which is 4 weeks before x

 

[Shadowcat]

TT, congrats on a good appointment - sounds like everything went well.

I haven't gotten my 20 week appt scheduled yet - I won't know when that is until the 27th of this month when I have my 16 week checkup.

I really, really, really, REALLY want to know the sex, like yesterday. We have two boys already and absolutely everyone swears that this one is a girl, but I remain unconvinced. A girl would be fantastic, but we already know what to do with boys, so either way I'm thrilled.

You all are making me really glad that I work at home (no offense meant, it's just easier). I'm sure I've told you all of this before, but I am a private nanny and I had to tell my family around 8 weeks because I'd be taking the baby to my Dr.'s appointments...plus, I looked like death and I was afraid they'd think I was really sick with some kind of disease. My childcare family is a teacher family, so I'll stop working in June and won't pick it up again until January. I won't have any income from September to January, which scares me, but I'm really looking forward to the time off!

What do you all do for a living?

I'm due on the 8th, which is also the Saturday after school starts here. I'll have a middle schooler (6th grade), a 4th grader, and a newborn...scary thought! The boys will be 9 and 11.5 when this baby arrives.

 

[Poshie]

Hey Shadow. You will have your hands full that's for sure! I guess though, you might be well practised in looking after a baby, what with being a nanny? In some ways it is complicated being an employee and having to work everything out, but in other ways we are lucky to get some money whilst not working. If I was self-employed (like my DH) I would get nothing at all. So will you be taking just 4 months off work? Then will you take your baby to work too?

I work in the construction industry, specialisting in the health and safety/regulations side of things. It's one of the thankless jobs that somebody's got to do Part office based, but lots of meetings and site visits.

 

[Smile181c]

I need to change what I just said just had my risk assessment and my ML starts on the 10th Sept (day after due date - dd is a Sunday) then I finish work on AL on the 6th so I actually have 5 weeks off not 4!

I work in a (hugely boring) office x

 

[AngelSerenity]

I told my line manager unofficially at 5 weeks. I told HR properly last week when they asked me when I plan on starting my maternity leave and I've rather enjoyed working it all out. I've been saving nearly all my annual leave, so I plan to finish on 8th August and I have enough leave to then not start my maternity leave until 10th September. I only get statutory maternity leave though, so I'm a bit apprehensive about money.

Has anyone else made plans yet?

You'll be grand, it's amazing how litte you can get by on. I really worried about money as I'm the main breadwinner in our house and I only got statutory maternity pay as well with no.1. It'll be the same now as well. We made it through, although I do have to say I only took 16 weeks off, then used my leave so did part-time weeks for a couple of months but got full-time pay! I'm just back on top off things a year after my maternity leave finished as it was a draining year with so much spending betwenn the abby, house things and car repairs, so i also have to get the cap on how we're going to afford it again, plus childminding etc for no.2. Now I'm not looking forward to working all that bit out but hey its a while away yet...

 

[Poshie]

Hello Angel. I too am wondering how childcare for no. 2 will be paid for!

 

[AngelSerenity]

I think I'm due the 19th October (made a mistake yesterday) but really havent got a clue when I'll take off. Last time I took off 2 weeks before my EDD and bubs was 10 days late so had a nice 3 weeks to myself.

I had hoped to carry over 5days I currently have into the next financial year but my employers are getting stricter with carrying holidays over. I used to get TOIL but dont get this anymore as am management so I'm a little apprehensive about when and how much time I'll take off. I'm determined to take 6 months this time though, I only took 16 weeks in total last time due to money constraints.

I think I'll be selling a few things on ebay lol ;-)

I work for a governing body of sport (gymnastics) as a Business Development Manager. I do enjoy it but it's hard work, all strategic planning, dealing with all the complaints and crap, funding and trying to move the sport forward in the country (NI).

I don't know when I'll say to my boss, I was thinking earlier this time (this month) as he may allow me to carry over the leave, plus I feel pretty rotten and he knows about my history of repeated MCs and the last one in January so may be he'll be sympathetic? I only get to see him about once a month as our HQ is in England and I'm based in NI. I have a very heavy workload on for the next 2 months which is also making me slightly nervous and how I'll cope lol.

Last time I left it until after my 20 week scan as was too nervous...

 

[AngelSerenity]

Hello Angel. I too am wondering how childcare for no. 2 will be paid for!

Let's rob a bank?

 

[loves_cookies]

I work as an IT Network Manager for an International 6th form college. Unfortunately I work a full time position rather than a term time, but we don't have a standard UK timetable so the Teachers and Students finish for the summer at the end of May and the new term starts in August. Lucky me, the first week back for the teachers will be my last couple of days in! For once I can be in happy holiday mode instead of them!!

 

[tinytabby]

Hi Shadowcat and Serenity

I work as a strategist for a digital marketing agency. It's a creative and strategic role and I love it. I'm only the 3rd woman to have a baby in my company's 15 year history... Most of the employees are under 30! The hours are long and there's lots of travel so it will be interesting to see if it's compatible with being a mum. I'd like to think it can be.

So far they're being very accommodating. I will be able to work from home as often as I like when I'm more heavily pregnant, so that should help.

 

[Shadowcat]

TT, that sounds great!

I just wanted to pop back in and say OMG! I'm feeling SO much movement tonight. I am soooo excited about this part.

 

[tinytabby]

TT, that sounds great!

I just wanted to pop back in and say OMG! I'm feeling SO much movement tonight. I am soooo excited about this part.

That's lovely, Shadowcat!

 

[juicyjen]

hey everyone! had my mw appointment yday and got to hear the heartbeat! it was beautiful! like a little train chuffing away, which leads me to think. . . boy?! anybody else heard the heartbeat and had a guess at what they are having? also, got my blood results back and my iron level is 13.4!! which the mw thought was incredible! also my scan date came through for 26th april! cant wait!!
shadowcat, just wanted to say how amazing you are getting loads of movement! its an incredible feeling isnt it? x x x
hope everyone else is well.