Due February 2016

@Mother Niki, sorry cant really say I feel you b/c my company has a clearly defined policy and it applies to everyone regardless of your circumstances or who you are. I have a friend who works with me who wanted to get them to change it for her b/c she would be a single mother and and and, and they placated her for a bit but basically told her, policy is policy and it applies to everyone.

Some advice that I can give, I know that companies cant ask you if you are pregnant, so if you do go for interviews, just know that you dont have to tell them you are pregnant. Now that might not be the way you want to start a relationship with a new company though. And on the other hand, some companies have a policy that you have to be with them for a year before you qualify for maternity benefits. Which would mean that you can get the gov't mandated 4 months but it will most likely be un-paid. The quickest you can go back to work after baby is born is 6 weeks, I think they might relax that a bit if you have a doc note confirming you are fine, but I'm not sure about that.

Anyway, sorry to hear about your company, that is really crappy and puts you between a rock and a hard place. I am not sure exactly what the law says regarding having a policy, I just know that it says they have to keep your job for you, but are not obligated to pay you during that time.

Hope you come right, good luck mommy

This is a bit of a boring topic but I am really not feeling satisfied with my current job and have been looking for something else...happy to start before baba arrives or after my maternity leave.

The company I work for cannot produce a maternity leave policy for me to go through so that I ca plan properly and I feel like that is such an important part of the HR function so it's extremely frustrating that there's nothing. I'm fast approaching 3 years at the company and during my entire time here there hasn't been a policy. Currently people go on maternity leave and benefits differ from person to person depending on who they are. It's extremely stressful for me not knowing where I stand and what I can expect. For an international company in with its SA office in Sandton its very disappointing.

This is one of the main reasons I'm looking for an escape route because I feel like if the company I work for has such disregard for it's employees then it's really not the place for me. Tricky thing is that I am pregnant and I know that it will be very difficult to find a place willing to take me in just before I need to go on maternity leave. Anyway just wanted to know if anyone has advice on moving during pregancy and the prospects of finding an accommodating place to work for in the months leading upto and after having a baby.

Thanks for all the well wishes ladies

@MrsMom thanks for the magnolia oil tip, i'll definately be adding it to my Justine tissue oil and Happy Event regimine.

The name subject is also quite a contentious for us. I'm also Pedi and my fiance is Congolese and we differ a lot on the names we each come up with. He's far more conservative and indecisive than I am. Would love to name the baby Zaire (now DRC, the place where he is from) and he's having none of that BUT the child must be named so we will have to reach a middle ground.

Here's the link for the baby furniture website I was telling you beautiful ladies about www.dreamfurniture.co.za/index.asp

@JLK - yes they do, they dont have a huge variety, but there are at least a few options. I also didnt look at the prices, just kind of 'paged' through them...still sticking to the opinion that people will just have to deal with me and my belly in a bikini pretty much the only time I would be able to get away with it now anyway!

Hi Ladies

Welcome @Meijermom! Hope you feel right at home here

I really enjoy reading everyone's updates and am very glad that everyone is doing so well!

I was looking at my calendar yesterday and couldn't believe it. Only 4 month to go, or 18 weeks, or 125 days LoL - I've obviously spent quite a bit of time thinking about this.
I will most likely be having my repeat c-section on the 1st of February (dr will confirm date on the 15th) so that is the date that I'm working with. (I had placenta previa with my first)

@CarienM, I cannot believe you found swimwear at Miane! It's so close to home for me (we live in Garsfontein) and it's just across the road from my gynae's office. I was there a couple of months ago but it was probably just too early for summer clothing...

A friend of mine wanted to do a vba2c but I don't think her dr was willing to do it. She found a midwife to assist her throughout her pregnancy and birth - The midwife is in Bloemfontein - Yolande Maritz - and they drove from PTA to see her. I don't know if you would want to look into that.

@Mother Niki, congrats on the engagement! I am glad that the proposal was romantic and am sure that you will be very happy

@MrsMom, when I was pregnant with my daughter my husband and I agreed no family names were to be used. I was worried about what he would say with this baby being a boy and we looked at sooo many names but I eventually caved and suggested we give the baby his granddads' name for his second name as they were really close. Hubby was ecstatic and his mom cried a little. Our baby will be named Benjamin Charles.

My little man has been kicking up a storm these past couple of days. It is one of the best feelings ever and my daughter just loves listening to his little heart beating away on the Doppler.

I have been suffering from the worst crotch pains these past couple of days. It has reached a point where I am afraid to get up from my chair as I know it will hurt. Hubby says I should phone the gynae but she'll most likely say it's just round ligament pains - maybe I'll phone the GP first if it's not better by tomorrow.

Thanks MrsMom, I will definitely give the magnolia oil a try - R20 sure beats Justine's price!

Enjoy the holiday, we are also planning a getaway in November, not quite as exotic as Thailand but I think a last break before baby arrives is definitely in order

My hubby is also very traditional in term of naming the first baby boy - but I have to be honest... I am not a fan of the family names (so if its a boy I will have to start negotiating on combining his names with an uncles name that I really like (you know at least I am trying to keep it in the family whahahahaha) so wel will see what happens as soon as we know the gender of baby!!!!)

Do you not start antenatal classes only at about 30 weeks? I have seen my medical aid pays R1600 towards these classes so I will definitely also be doing it.

Welcome and Congratulation on the baby @meijermom

Congratulations on the engagement @MotherNikki. marriage and baby, double portion of blessings your way.

Great that everyone is having a great pregnancy. @nix I also starting feeling the baby kick. I was sooo happy. I feel like I am walking miracle.

I am also doing fantastic. Planning for the baby is starting to exhaust me. The baby name is a contentious issue, I am Pedi so culturally speaking sometimes the grandparents feel the need to name the baby. I am so against it. But I think I will just keep quiet and whatever name they decide on wont make it onto the birth certificate.

Going on holiday to Thailand this month. the gynae gave me a doctors note for clearance to fly. I am really looking forward to the rest and relaxation

@BabyT I mix the Justine tissue oil in my Nivea crème (the blue original tub) and I use Magnolia Oil as well on my areas that are prone to stretch marks and I must say the Magnolia oil is working very well. My husband says my old stretch marks are even getting less visible. Try it out, I bought it for R20 at Pep.

@Carien Thanks for the heads up on the Dischem baby. I went to register yesterday and a lady that was in the queue told me its completely worth it. All you have to do is spend R450 and after 30 weeks Dischem will call you to come collect the baby bag. She says she got so many things in the bag. Says even if you don't use the samples, the bay and baby change mat is enough to register.

I also registered for Ante natal classes 6 weeks for 2 hours a week on Mondays the lady charges R1500 which was the cheapest I could find, and she comes highly recommended. A friend of mine went to her. She is in Bedfordview.

Have a beautiful day further mommies.