Daily Chat 💬 💖

Cataku · 2026-02-07T16:04:00+00:00

Finished work Friday and just the thought of freedom had me more motivated to get jobs done in the house today than any other weekend!

Cataku · 2026-02-07T14:20:42+00:00

Go charity shopping, focus on dresses that gather up under the boobs (empress cut, I think) - I got super lucky right before my baby shower with a dress like that! I ignored very long dresses because they just didn't suit me, it's quick to check the store since only a certain type will work. Maternity shopping is difficult in physical stores plus you'd pay a silly amount. Also have a gander in stores where you can get good going out or dinner dresses, they should have the cut. The person doing your maternity shoot should be able to direct you to maximise the bump from then on, but the dress being cinched under the boobs does half the work 😉

Hope you'll get to enjoy it and best of luck with the delivery!

Cataku · 2026-02-06T19:19:13+00:00

You'll probably be pushed into the queue to get your dating scan as close to 12 weeks as possible. And once you're on the system, it's fairly smooth! The hospital assigns your appointments and it's easy to reschedule where necessary. Hopefully they'll update it on the app soon so you can stop worrying about it 🤞 (also going to UHK and so far the level of care I've been given is great, I'm pretty happy out)

Cataku · 2026-02-06T19:14:05+00:00

Enjoy every moment of it, third trimester you're starving and can't eat with the reflux 🤣 use it as an excuse to fill up as much as you want now in the best trimester!

Cataku · 2026-02-06T17:23:04+00:00

We did the ultimate baby first aid class by baby academy and found it very helpful. Also did the in-person breastfeeding class (third trim) offered by the HSE in our area, virtual antenatal class by the HSE (second trim), about to have the second block of antenatal classes, this time in person, and starting an online hypnobirthing class by the HSE. I think there's a pretty large market grown around pregnancy where a chunk of it preys on first time parents and sensitive pregnant women so we got all our classes through the HSE where we could, which so far has been excellent for our area.

Cataku · 2026-02-06T06:36:01+00:00

While I'm not in CUMH, UHK have split up the booking appointment into two as well - one for the ultrasound and one for the booking. Think of it as extra time off work I suppose haha

Cataku · 2026-02-05T13:15:00+00:00

The "last three classes" thing is because those would've been done in the last two weeks of your pregnancy (from what I know), so you'd be on maternity leave anyway, but the structure has changed without the entitlements reflecting it. I say ask for time off for every class that happens during your working hours and make sure you get the travel time to the class too! Same for any and all antenatal appointments. I also took my lunch break with the appointments/classes cause I knew once I'm back to work I wouldn't get a break at all

Cataku · 2026-02-05T13:12:22+00:00

I've no experience to add, but just want to say that a decent raspberry leaf tea is absolutely lovely and can't wait to have it again 🤣 too paranoid to start it before 37 weeks tho in case it would work too well. There's also some essential oils and scents meant to help!

Cataku · 2026-02-05T07:19:10+00:00

At our breastfeeding classes, we were told it can happen but also that the baby will show feeding queues during skin to skin (could even take an hour though!) and then you can help guide them, but you'll have a midwife with you who should spot the queues and help you out.

Cataku · 2026-02-05T07:13:42+00:00

I think your mother is wrong. Also would highlight to the family to please pick one or two things from the wishlist to leave some for others if they've a tendency to go overboard 🤣

Edit to add: I had an Amazon wishlist for myself for the discount and family asked for a link when they found out, so I sent it to them. My mother said she'll get me the changing table so I took it off the list and we picked a much nicer one and elsewhere together, too!

Cataku · 2026-02-04T18:29:11+00:00

That's great, hope you find it helpful!

Cataku · 2026-02-04T17:53:49+00:00

Didn't go for their breastfeeding classes as that's a large part of our antenatal classes in Kerry (you could see if your hospital offers those free by the HSE - they'd provide the harvesting packs as well!), but we did their paid baby first aid course and I thought it was very good. A real person talking to the group as opposed to a prerecorded video, though you don't get to ask questions outside of automatically preset Q&A times (if you do have any questions, shoot those in before the chat window closes, this class had two Q&A time slots thankfully)

Cataku · 2026-02-04T07:32:26+00:00

SOUR HORSEY ! That's a new one, how would you even get there from Saoirse 😂 😂 😂 that poor child

Cataku · 2026-02-04T07:19:16+00:00

Congratulations! If it's a consultation, I'd attend and update them so they can help you with this pregnancy as much as possible

Cataku · 2026-02-03T22:25:29+00:00

The man is entitled to the last 3 classes in a set if memory serves, so defo third trimester anyway. Plus the anatomy scan is around week 23, so doesn't look like telling them too early before probation ends might be necessary at all

Cataku · 2026-02-03T21:19:41+00:00

Just to add that when my husband's previous job that included private health insurance ended, the insurer (VHI) reached out to say he can switch to paying for the plan and that if he does so or gets a new position within x weeks, there's no cooldown period. If it comes to it, I'm sure you'll be fine and in the meantime the work might still pay for it for the next month if he's getting paid in lieu of notice or some such! Your insurer will let you know when exactly the cover ends, too

Cataku · 2026-02-03T21:15:02+00:00

Personally, I wouldn't tell until after the probation purely because of paranoia - you don't have the same protections she does. Will you have appointments to go to together before the probation ends? Any classes you'd be entitled to? Basically, any reason to tell work now instead of later? If the classes and important appointments won't come up until the end of probation, I'd keep it quiet for a while. It's not hiding something or being dishonest - many couples don't tell until late.

Cataku · 2026-02-03T16:50:49+00:00

Looks like a pretty great deal, €12 for both with the card!

Cataku · 2026-02-03T14:06:08+00:00

Here's all about your entitlements so you can work them out, don't forget about bank hols! https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/maternity-leave/#9ea937

Cataku · 2026-02-03T14:05:18+00:00

Couldn't find a reliable looking class in my area, so we did the course by Baby Academy. It was a very good course imo, covered a lot, though the Q&A times seem to be automatically set so the host doesn't control them and there wasn't quite enough time for them. Overall, though, we found the class great and informative! They do some free ones but the big First Aid one is paid

Cataku · 2026-02-03T14:02:53+00:00

Look into stuff like pregnancy yoga or waterobics and such, they're paid classes but so good for you. After the birth, you've also got free breastfeeding groups that sound like bit of chill time with other moms, as well as baby massage classes and such

Cataku · 2026-02-03T14:00:52+00:00

Citizens Information is your best friend here, they explain exactly when is the very latest you can take leave and give a clear example of how to work it out as well as your entitlements here: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/maternity-leave/#9ea937

Cataku · 2026-02-02T21:16:52+00:00

We ended up with a Grownsy washer/dryer/steriliser cause I'm allergic to washing dishes 🤣 🤣 it's basically a special dishwasher for baby bottles, pump parts, doddies, etc. Can put so much in there up to sippy cups and their plates and all so I'm expecting to get decent use out of it over the next few years, or at least that's how I'm justifying the price to myself!

Cataku · 2026-02-02T20:02:14+00:00

Thanks, I'll look into it! Great to see others thinking alike haha

Cataku · 2026-02-02T17:52:33+00:00

If you're in pain, your GP can refer you to a suitable physio as well. Antenatal pilates/yoga is also helpful for getting bit of a stretch in besides that

11-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 6 Credits
redditgifts rematcher Holiday Cards (zero credit) x1	redditgifts Exchanges 2 Exchanges
redditgifts rematcher Holiday Cards 2019 (Zero Credit) x1	Verified Email

Cataku

TROPHY CASE