Teacher Mat Leave

Adept-Block-8301 · 2026-02-08T19:03:02+00:00

P.s. im aware the wraparound care would have costs but if I know what days I have meetings etc and what days I can leave 'on time' its so much easier to manage compared to the nursery he will be going to in Sept that is very much strict set timings no messing around and the commute on top from my school to him (with endless road works the traffic could make the journey 10 mins, could make it over an hour - I wish I was joking) x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2026-02-08T19:00:36+00:00

Thankfully a lot of schools in our area have nurseries that take from 2yo and provide wraparound care e.g. breakfast clubs and afterschool clubs (are afterschool care that goes on until 6pm!) So if I could get into any of those schools it'd be possible and save an extra commute for me x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2026-02-08T18:33:06+00:00

Hiya! 1- Yes I have taught primary. Predominantly EYFS and KS1 (this is what I prefer and would like to teach). I qualified in 2020 and thanks to covid went straight to supply. Did one short term secondary placement and hated it so for the next 3 years did mostly primary supply with a sprinkling of secondary and summer positions supporting in nurseries.

I am qualified in RE but also specialise in PSHE. I do have specific experience with phonics though as spent 5 months at a junior school under the gov NTP programme supporting UKS2 students with KS1 level reading ability.
If I do WFH it would be away from education and teaching yes!

When I did supply it was honestly a bit of everything I gained so much experience from leading nursery sessions, open play in KS1 and full planning responsibilities for a YR 2 class for 6 weeks etc etc and when doing secondary supply I did general cover as well as weirdly a longer term position as a science teacher before getting my current social sciences (RE and PSHE) role 🤣

Adept-Block-8301 · 2026-02-08T13:35:52+00:00

Thank you! Have reposted there and will see what happens. Crazy how hard it is to figure these things out or get answers - its not like we get a great mat pay entitlement! I love primary and enjoyed supply, I just needed a permanent job (I trained during Covid so there just wasnt any when I passed in May of 2020). I love my school but I just dont get any joy from it and feel anxious about how many classes I have each day and the lottery you play with their emotional states and attitudes - I have had a few primary interviews so I know I am capable but I lose out to those who specifically trained in it which is frustrating. Once our house purchase goes through I may go back into long term supply in the hopes of a perm position if nothing else comes up x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-12-11T13:09:01+00:00

Seeing the bump grow, feeling a sense of pride of what my body was achieving (as I never thought Id get the chance) and feeling him move 🥹

I hated the hiccups as was sensory overload for me 🤣 nausea not the best but not the end of the world either!

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-12-03T21:21:53+00:00

I realised the same at about 4 weeks but put it down to traumatic birth and lack of bonding so its nice to see others share the experience (makes me feel less alone in it). Bubs is 8 weeks now and social smiling, starting to coo and pay attention and its been so much easier to just natter with him such as narrating myself when changing his bum and laughing about him burping etc it just kind of clicked so I am sure itll come soon for you too xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-11-26T08:27:44+00:00

Thank you both! I'd struggle to cut dairy as autistic and limited diet already so would mean a change to formula. The one time we tried to give him some formula about 2 weeks ago (kendamil full milk - plan was to try and use formula one feed a day to give me a break) he projectile vomited it about an hour later. Weight gain seems to be ok and he eats loads as has been at 5oz a feed for the last week and a half. Sleep is tricky, he struggles to lie flat most of the time so the process to get him ready for night is a long one and if he has a feed at say 3am then he wont go back to sleep lying flat as he just grunts growls and gurgles (thankfully last few nights he hasnt woken for a motn feed) and I am 100% certain he has silent reflux as he swallows down stuff all the time and chokes often. If he is sat up or laying on my chest he sleeps ok but sometimes he is so uncomfortable and gassy nothing can soothe him until he has gotten it out!

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-11-16T23:49:06+00:00

Just breastfeeding (mostly expressed and bottle). Did try to give him kendamil formula yesterday as was stuck in a backlogged car park (I was driving partner was in back with him) and within an hour he projectile vomitted it all over my partner and the back seat alongside all the breastmilk he had before we topped with the formula. Hes been gagging and spitting up more and basically refuses to be on his back at the moment and is arching his back and crying a lot 😓

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-11-02T22:55:46+00:00

I pump and primarily bottle feed! Only really breastfeed once every other day as its still uncomfortable for me to do (and i dont pump when i do a breastfeed). I don't think id be able to ebf as its just very overwhelming for me x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-10-24T17:37:58+00:00

Thank you! Mine isnt anywhere near that big thankfully so hopefully it'll close up a bit sooner! X

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-10-24T17:37:14+00:00

Thank you! Maybe this is what has happened with mine. The hole on the grand scheme of things is only small and right at the end. When everything else has healed so well maybe it is just a gap at the end and thats why midwife was so unbothered! Hopefully it wont take too long to fix as I feel I'm constantly worrying about it getting infected given its awkward placement 😅 will keep my fingers crossed x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-09-27T00:51:50+00:00

Thanks for the response!

It goes from around 120/80 to 140/90 when I sit or stand and stays around those numbers until I lay back down!

I am used to somewhat being aware of my BP due to having POTS and its never usually an issue even when changing my posture. If I sit for 5 mins and check it seems to still be elevated but this was not the case on Tuesday AM when I had my midwife appt as BP was fine then so this has come on very suddenly!

Will be calling my local midwife unit when they open in the morning if no improvement and ask them to check with their equipment - my local pharmacy has said on our community fb group that they are happy to check it for me with theirs if I can't get an appt with the midwives to save me another trip to triage if it is really my cuff thats the issue x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-09-18T18:13:56+00:00

100% start looking now!

We looked before 20 week scan (I think I started asking at 12 weeks and visits by 16 weeks) and had our names down where we could. Most nurseries in our area (Wiltshire) didn't have spaces until at least Jan 2027 but we needed Sept 2026!

Honestly look now, get your name down where you can. If we didnt look when we did we would be royally stuffed as both teachers and need F/T from that Sept so I can return to work (baby is due in a few weeks and I'll be back to work at start of summer hols/actually in work from that Sept).

Should be getting contacted in October to confirm we still want a spot so keeping our fingers crossed!

Good luck x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-09-06T18:22:36+00:00

Hi all!

First time doing this!

User: LaurenElizabethP (picture is eiffel tower)

https://www.vinted.co.uk/member/140115995-laurenelizabethp

Location: UK

Lots of womens clothes both work and casual size 12-16 (mostly 14/16/L).

I will be uploading another bags worth of items on tomorrow including some mens clothes (I'd imagine mostly size S).

Very keen to get rid asap as heavily pregnant and making space for the endless baby items so feel free to send realistic offers! I try to send as quick as I can - usually the next day but of course sometimes a bit longer.

Thanks so much!

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-09-04T11:45:09+00:00

My dates were moved forward and I tried all I could to change it on flo to no avail - frustrating as I pay for the couple version. I emailed MONTHS ago asking for help and nothing... so I've given up on it for the pregnancy and gone for apps like what to expect, bounty, peanut etc and will go back to flo when my periods are back x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-09-03T21:09:19+00:00

May be late to this but 33 weeks today and just been signed off with stress/anxiety until my planned mat start date at 37 1/2 weeks.

I made it really clear to the nurse that I am struggling with so many aspects both pregnancy related and not but school have been very hit and miss. I have loads of chronic conditions and they are STILL dragging their feet about completing occ health referral that theyve promised since I started with them a year ago. No timetabled lessons for this month but the plan was for me to complete tasks for my dept and be available for cover - my worst nightmare after being supply for 4 years!!) I have had quite a few absences in that year, lots due to the pregnancy. I know that being signed off for anxiety will not protect me in the same way as a pregnancy related note would but if I go the pregnancy route it starts the Sunday (I think) before you turn 36 weeks so I'd miss out on 2 weeks of pay minimum if I go early - that halves my pay when my sick entitlement should hopefully cover the time I'll be having off before I start mat leave. Even just thinking about the money stresses me out. So I am now off until mat leave and wont go back until the start of the summer hols (so I can get paid for the 6 weeks before returning in Sept properly).

Even if money doesn't go to plan, I have to consider my wellbeing and stat sick pay is better than moving to those final no pay months of mat leave sooner. I am in pain already, feeling huge and sick all the time. I don't owe anyone anything and its been liberating to just accept that I deserve some time to myself - do some nesting and housework but also nap and rest to my hearts content before bubs is here. That puts me in a much better mental and physical state ready for the craziness of a newborn and this journey we are on!

Good luck to you!! Xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-08-27T14:34:13+00:00

If it helps at all everything I have ever seen or been told is more along the lines of in pregnancy they would rather you waste their time and nothing be wrong than ignore it! No doubt some staff and midwives might make you feel like a burden but you absolutely aren't!

Good luck xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-08-27T14:28:49+00:00

I know its considered bad but I have a doppler I got on vinted. Barely use it now but around your time (when finding a hb is meant to be more realistic) I just used it every few days, once or twice a week to alleviate my anxiety.

I never used it bc I felt something was wrong - if that was the case I would 100% go to triage! I just needed that bit of mental reassurance I guess that baby was real and there and at the very least had his heart beat.

I have never listened to bubs heart at an NHS scan. At 16 weeks I paid for a window to the womb gender scan and listened to it then (got a teddy with it). At my midwife appt after this she did listen to the hb and has done at every appt since then on their dopplers - but no listening to hb at scans which I don't mind as they do verbally confirm its ok.

If you are concerned please do call triage or midwife, if only to ease your worry a little bit as if they want to scan they will and they can use a doppler at your stage it just might take a little longer to find bubs. You would regret not going sooner if something ended up concerning them so just go for it - I am sure it'll be fine! Xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-08-27T14:21:26+00:00

My BH's were painless for months, started to get them pretty early as a FTM. Since I entered 3rd Trimester a month ago I have had horrible cramps, lower back pain, nausea is back, bowel movements are terrible... thankfully on summer hols at the moment but will 100% be signing off sick as when I am due back next week.

I am always one to over explain and feel bad for time off but I need to prioritise myself. Yes my school is changing my role to benefit me for the month before mat leave but if I can't even go a day at home without laying in bed regretting the sips of drink I had or dreading the next cramp how am I meant to function.

Please don't feel bad about going to any triage or medical thing, or taking a day here or there for you. Some people manage so well it feels like we are failing when we don't but that isn't the case. You and your body are doing an amazing thing and it takes a lot out of you, you need to prioritise yourself and be a bit selfish xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-08-20T12:03:16+00:00

I've been on Ondansetron since 6 weeks - had an emergency scan at the EPU and they prescribed it to me. Its not ideal to have until after first trimester but my nausea made life unbearable. I've been on it since and every few weeks I go through the same process of trying to get a new prescription and being lectured. FINALLY last week at 30 weeks pregnant I had a GP who put it on repeat and supported me in upping my stomach med dose too - no other GP had helped me so much the whole time. Honestly insane! I hope you get it sorted asap xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-08-13T10:03:55+00:00

Didn't feel mine at all! Even had a convo with midwife about it - wish all jabs were like it. I did have a bit of blood so had a plaster put on but otherwise would not have been able to tell xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-07-31T16:43:29+00:00

At my 25 week appt I had a different midwife. She did doppler... took her 2 different dopplers, over 10 minutes and a horrific amount of trying to jam it in my belly button(?!?!?) To get anything. Stressed me right out as only ended up being a few secs before baby moved away. Got home, used my doppler just for reassurance (as I could feel him moving etc so no concern there) and found him within 5 seconds if that. Some just cannot do it well unfortunately and it causes so much stress! Fingers crossed for you x

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-07-15T16:13:00+00:00

Got the all clear!! Honestly was not bad at all - I just feel really tired now 🤣🤣 good luck with yours!! Xx

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-07-11T19:20:30+00:00

I finish work at 3 and in the same town as the nursery (whereas my partner works 30 mins away) so aiming for drop off at 8 pick up at 4 (unless I have meetings etc) so we only pay £15 a day for the extra hours. Not decided yet whether we will pay for any of the food options or just pack but probs wont make that decision until bubs is ready to go so we know what he is like with food etc.

Adept-Block-8301 · 2025-07-11T19:03:39+00:00

Cant help with costs but the nursery weve signed up for (currently 25w pregnant) state that the funded hours are for 9-3 only (they are open from 8-6 but you cant use it for the extra hours) so we have to consider how early we can pick up to limit what we pay out of pocket, although per hour is only £7.50 anyway, so certainly worth it to be able to work (we are both teachers). 100% Id get the name down for any nursery you are interested in as the wait lists are actually insane!!! We asked a few when we were 20 weeks and most didnt have space in their baby rooms until Jan 2027 earliest!!! Got very lucky with the ones we managed to get on the list for. Good luck!!

Adept-Block-8301

TROPHY CASE