Due February 2016

Update for the week, I'm feeling generally grumpy - but I think that's got more to do with people getting on my nerves this week with unasked-for comments than hormones. Then lack of proper sleep might also be partly to blame - I'm literally sleeping upright in bed propped up by 6 pillows. I have a hip problem (left hip) which thankfully had not been acting up in the past year, but since only sleeping on my left side I wake up with terrible pain, and apart from the hip I feel like I'm suffocating if I lie down flat Sleeping upright isn't ideal either.

Had a funny interaction on Wed. Went for dinner with friends and a couple they know. The couple didn't know I was pregnant (though I was wearing a tight dark top that made it kinda obvious), and the guy kept staring at my stomach. Half way through the evening the guy asked the friend (while I was on my umpteenth bathroom break) if I'm pregnant and his wife argued with him and said I'm not - she wasn't paying much attention to me whole evening.
With the mystery solved he was so pleased and congratulated us. We stayed out quite late, and at the end of the evening he reached out and petted my stomach and said I must take 'her' off to bed I just laughed. It's the first stranger to ever touch my stomach and I minded a lot less than I thought I would - probably just because he was SO happy for us. I suspect his wife gave him a slap afterwards, but I thought it was sweet They are real jet setters and don't have children yet and it didn't seem like it was on her agenda any time soon.

P.s. anyone else having a wardrobe crisis? It took me 30min to find an outfit that fits this morning I thought I'd hold out longer, but seems I'm ballooning and it's time to go proper preggy shopping. Would help if my but wasn't taking bets with my stomach.

Must admit I am getting really frustrated with the forum not sending updates.

@Mother Niki, hopefully you will see my msg. Sitting next to my husband while reading your post and we are both so incredibly sad for you. We can only imagine what you are going through. We wish you a speedy recovery and all the love and support you need

Good Morning

BabyT, I'm sorry to hear you were having a yucky day yesterday. I hope that you are feeling better this morning.

I think as we're entering this final trimester those days of feeling tired and a little irritable might become more frequent. It is all worth it in the end though and you quickly forget what these final months feel like.

On Tuesday my right foot was so swollen that everyone got quite a fright seeing it - I now sit at my desk with my legs elevated.

Thanks for your advice BabyT.
After discussing the maternity leave with my husband we have decided that I will go on leave from 1 January as they've requested at work, but that I should take an extra month of leave after Benjamin is born.

I have discussed this with HR and they will take my proposal to the directors for approval.
I feel much better about this decision after my talk with HR this morning. They really are only concerned for my and Benjamin's health.



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Hi JLK, I just generally feel down and a little hormonal today... My body hurts and I just want to go home and get in to bed. But I am sure by tomorrow I will be feeling better

What I would suggest in terms of the one month leave before baby comes is the following, as our company policy also generally states that maternity leave should start a month prior to delivery... If you are a office worker it will be easier to convince the company though, as generally manual labour or people that are on their feet a lot starts being a liability for an employer as the employee will find it difficult to maintain the same work put out as before, being so close to giving birth... But at my company they generally request a weekly letter from the gynae to confirm that your health is still in order and that you are able to still work, so that they are covered when you perhaps go into labour at work. maybe compromise with them by suggesting that you only leave two weeks prior to the birth based on supporting documentations from you doctor?

Good luck though

Hi Ladies,

How are you doing? Hope everyone is healthy.

@Stormy, have you made an appointment for your anomaly scan yet? I know you said you will go after pay day but just wondering whether you have a date yet?

Thanks to everyone for the reassuring messages regarding the umbilical cord and extra doc visits. I feel more comfortable about that after your messages.

I handed in my maternity leave notice today only to be told that the 'decision makers' have decided that all pregnant ladies must start their maternity leave a month before their baby is due. (without informing anyone of this of course...)
I'm quite upset about this - as is my manager - but apparently they feel that the ladies just suffer too much during that final month at work. They are especially worried with my history of miscarriages - which I suppose is sweet of them - but that leaves me less time with Benjamin once he is born and cuts my salary a month before I planned.
My manager is more upset over who she will find to take over my work and present all the training that has been scheduled. She sent HR a mail about this so we are still waiting for feedback from them regarding the matter.

I think that I will end up saying that if they are going to force me to take my maternity leave a month before Benjamin will be born then I will take an extra month unpaid leave to spend more time with him.

@MotherNiki - I can only echo what the other ladies have said. Please just know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

@MotherNiki - Wow I have tears in my eyes just reading your post! I'm so sorry for what has happened! I cant even begin to imagine the toll it has taken on you physically and emotionally Just know that you are in our prayers, we hope for a speedy recovery and that you will stay strong