So after weeks of reading the maternity policy at work I think I finally know what I am entitled to. I am not sure whether or not what I am entitled to is generous compared to other people's but I feel that it is not enough time to be off with my new baby.
I intially thought I was entitled to 18 weeks full pay and 6 weeks at 90%, this was wishful thinking I am actually entitled to 18 weeks full pay and I have to start my leave 2 weeks before my due date, so providing the baby arrives on time I will only have 16 weeks with the baby :-( After this I will be entitled to statutory maternity pay which is currently £135.35 per week which means I would only receive around 35% of my normal wage, which considering I am the main wage earner it is not looking likely that I will be able to have anymore time off. This means I will have to go back to work on the 7th February, this makes me sad!
This is an article I remember reading a few months back http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2102517/Women-need-year-recover-childbirth-study-finds.html which ironically was a study done at the institution that I work for! Therefore, I think they should lead the way and give me 12 months off on full pay! I know this would never happen and I also understand that having workers off for maternity leave can stretch an already stretched budget in most workplaces nowadays.
As a first time Mum to be I have no idea how giving birth and looking after another human is going to effect me, I like to think I take most things in my stride and adapt easily to whatever situation I am given but the fact this new chapter in my life is scaring the shit out of me!
I would at least like another 8 weeks off which would take me until the 4th April which would give me 6 months off, I need to make this happen. I have figured that if I keep my budget strict I can save from my wages whilst on maternity, I am currently putting £100 a month away for the baby and there is no reason I can't continue to do this, I should also have some money left from what I have saved so far. I will also not be driving to work which is currently a 30 mile round trip so my petrol costs should go down. Jonathan and me will not be going out as much for meals, cinema or for drinks so our social life budget will fall as well.
How much time are you taking off? What will you be doing to ensure you can cope when you go onto statutory maternity pay?
Monday 18 June 2012
Monday 11 June 2012
Plus size maternity wear: Simply Be
Today's post is going to be about the maternity wear on offer from Simply Be which is an online catalogue retailer. However, they do have some stores but not sure if they stock the maternity ranges.
Again, I have picked out some of my favourite bits from their collection. First up is a black maxi dress which is on my list to get. This would be a staple in your maternity wardrobe over the summer which would look great with this necklace and this cover up. I have one of the Joe Brown cover up's in white from last summer and I love it. The dress is also available in cobalt and is a very reasonable £30.
Again, I have picked out some of my favourite bits from their collection. First up is a black maxi dress which is on my list to get. This would be a staple in your maternity wardrobe over the summer which would look great with this necklace and this cover up. I have one of the Joe Brown cover up's in white from last summer and I love it. The dress is also available in cobalt and is a very reasonable £30.
Next up is a maternity starter kit which contains leggings, vest top and bump band for £38. This is a great starter kit for anyone and can be accessorized easily.
I chose this top as it is such a pretty colour for Spring and summer. It will be easy to wear on those days where you don't have to accessorize and can look fabulous without putting much effort in. It also comes in grey marl. This will cost £20.
For the rest of their range which includes swimwear, nursing bras, knickers, work trousers and palazzo trousers go to their website
Sunday 10 June 2012
Plus size maternity wear: Yours Clothing.
As many of you probably know I am classed as plus sized. I am a size 22-24, sometimes bigger depending on where I shop. Whilst looking around the Internet I noticed there are not a lot of places that sell plus size maternity wear. I am currently 21+4 and am in no way looking pregnant yet, if I push my belly out there is a definite hard roundness just above my belly button but I am not bursting out of my clothes yet.
I have had a look around and have picked some of my favourite items out. First off is Yours Clothing who have only recently launched a maternity range.
Leggings for me are an essential part of my daily wardrobe, I look better in leggings that in jeans and trousers. These come in at a very reasonable £12. My favourite pair of leggings are from Yours so I am hoping to pick up a pair of these in the near future.
This maxi skirt is an ideal essential item especially if you are going to be pregnant over the summer you can team it was a vest top and small cardigan and a statement necklace or scarf I love the vest tops from George at Asda.The skirt comes in at £20
Finally, my favourite item from Yours Clothing is this grey printed top I love this because it's not too in your face about being pregnant like some of the more obvious ones that have a huge statement printed on that you can see a mile off but is just enough to show the love of your bump, this sits above the knee so makes it an ideal partner to the leggings. This lovely top costs £16.
I have had a look around and have picked some of my favourite items out. First off is Yours Clothing who have only recently launched a maternity range.
Leggings for me are an essential part of my daily wardrobe, I look better in leggings that in jeans and trousers. These come in at a very reasonable £12. My favourite pair of leggings are from Yours so I am hoping to pick up a pair of these in the near future.
This maxi skirt is an ideal essential item especially if you are going to be pregnant over the summer you can team it was a vest top and small cardigan and a statement necklace or scarf I love the vest tops from George at Asda.The skirt comes in at £20
Finally, my favourite item from Yours Clothing is this grey printed top I love this because it's not too in your face about being pregnant like some of the more obvious ones that have a huge statement printed on that you can see a mile off but is just enough to show the love of your bump, this sits above the knee so makes it an ideal partner to the leggings. This lovely top costs £16.
Thursday 7 June 2012
21 week update
I am now 21+1 weeks pregnant which means I have 19 weeks left before my due date, this is slightly scary because if the baby comes early it will be less! At 21 weeks my baby is roughly the size of a carrot, well one that is around 10.5 inches. I am only 3 weeks away from it being viable pregnancy, that is if the baby arrives this early it has a chance of living :-)
I am still not over my scan experience last week and I'm sure people think I am over reacting, I still hate the fact that I am anxious about the baby being OK, it doesn't help that I still haven't felt it move or heard the heartbeat (which I am hoping to do at the next midwife appointment). Everytime I think about the scan it makes me cry so emotionally I am not having a good week, I have pretty much cried every day since the scan, although sometimes it isn't about the scan, for example, Prince Charles speech at the Jubilee concert had me crying as did running out of bread.
I am currently on my 2nd night at work out of seven, this is exciting as this will be my last block of seven nights until next year when I return from maternity leave.
After making a list of things Jonathan and me need to do before the baby arrives it looks like the next few weeks are going to be hectic.
Things we need to do before baby is here:
I am still not over my scan experience last week and I'm sure people think I am over reacting, I still hate the fact that I am anxious about the baby being OK, it doesn't help that I still haven't felt it move or heard the heartbeat (which I am hoping to do at the next midwife appointment). Everytime I think about the scan it makes me cry so emotionally I am not having a good week, I have pretty much cried every day since the scan, although sometimes it isn't about the scan, for example, Prince Charles speech at the Jubilee concert had me crying as did running out of bread.
I am currently on my 2nd night at work out of seven, this is exciting as this will be my last block of seven nights until next year when I return from maternity leave.
After making a list of things Jonathan and me need to do before the baby arrives it looks like the next few weeks are going to be hectic.
Things we need to do before baby is here:
- Clear out spare room and decorate
- Get a multitude of items including cot and pram
- Spring clean the whole house
- Living room carpet needs a deep clean or replacing
- Car boot sale on 24th June
I'm sure there is much more but even this list freaks me out, I keep finding things I would like to do like some shelves in the kitchen, the bushes at the front of my house need to go as they are getting out of control and painting the bathroom. I know in reality that some of these things can wait until baby is here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)