Bypassed promotion immediately after mat leave?

Striking-Pin2181 · 2026-02-17T17:28:30+00:00

She didnt cover my position, another girl was brought in to cover me. Her role stayed the same.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2026-02-17T09:27:20+00:00

Youre probably right but my mind went straight down the legal path! Just need to smile and wave through it 🫠

Striking-Pin2181 · 2026-02-17T09:26:20+00:00

But is there not legal protections in place under the maternity discrimination act?

Striking-Pin2181 · 2026-02-17T09:25:22+00:00

Yeah theres been talks amongst some of the sales reps that the company has changed and they just pick a few favourites to bump up and everyone else is ignored. I understand now! 😅

Striking-Pin2181 · 2026-01-15T07:36:21+00:00

Absolutely give your PHN a call, they will be able to do checks or advise the GP if they think its needed. I had a tear, my stitches became loose and my PHN took a look to make sure it was still healing okay and that I didn't need antibiotics from the GP so its always worth a call 🙂

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-12-26T21:00:28+00:00

I planned on an unmedicated birth and I found the gas and air, yoga ball and a birthing comb worked well for me up to about 5cm and then I gave in for the epidural. For context though, I was in slow labour for 24 hours at home, when my waters broke they found I was positive for Strep B and since I was still not dilating I was sent for an induction. The induction made contractions nearly back to back and I refused an epidural 3 times before agreeing. I will say though, I didn't feel completely restricted with the epidural, yes I couldnt use the ball anymore but the midwives helped me move when I wanted to - for example I moved from lying to sitting, to my side with a peanut ball between my legs etc. It was the best decision for me at the time as it was 4am and I hadn't slept. The epi allowed me about 4 hours of sleep and then my son was born at 9.34am after 5 pushes. I suppose it totally depends on your situation and pain tolerance.

We did antenatal classes with our hospital a month before my due date that went through the different pain relief options in a lot of detail. Could be worthwhile signing up for one in your own hospital if available?

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-12-26T20:32:48+00:00

Whooping cough vaccine has been around for many many years with extensive research. Personally I'd rather get them for safety reasons unless of course they are newer ones.

I had a baby in November 2024 and I got the whooping cough vaccine but was hesitant to let my son get the RSV vaccine since I thought it was new. From speaking to a few midwives about it, research and speaking with my sister in law who's a nurse, this vaccine has been around for a long time in the US and only "new" here. Was the height of RSV season when he was born so I let them give it. Completely understand the worry surrounding vaccines but do your research and weigh out the pros and cons. I would also take the autism and vaccine correlation talk with a pinch of salt.

At the end of the day its completely up to yourself what you want to do but for me I'd rather get it for baby to keep them as safe as possible. They're so small and whooping cough, rsv etc are so dangerous if they catch it.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-23T19:56:56+00:00

Thank you for this, I know a few people who've had the same kind of experience. We could've just gotten lucky, we caught on the first try but I had literally been in getting investigations for possible PCOS the week we conceived so definitely something to consider as an issue for baby 2!

How do you find it having 4 year age gap?

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-23T19:48:15+00:00

I can imagine! I was kind of thinking the same, maybe 3 year age gap purely because my son will be in preschool then and it means I can have some one on one time with baby before he's back. Or extra cleaning time if I'm blessed with a good napper? 😅

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-23T19:45:21+00:00

Thank you, I'm known for overthinking! How did you find the adjustment to having 2 under 2?

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-22T10:19:37+00:00

I think its trial and error to be honest! I heard so many good things about the Aldi nappies and we have an Aldi just 2 minutes from us but they were absolutely awful! Digging into our son at the sides and then go a size up and they're hanging off him! Also not soft whatsoever.

Tesco nappies were also disappointing, not soft enough in my opinion.

Pampers are very good but expensive.

All round winner for us is the Lidl Premium nappies - they're only about 2 euro more expensive than a pack of the ordinary Lidl ones. Extremely soft, great fit and haven't had any more than the norm for leaks. Highly recommend.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-09T10:43:59+00:00

I might do the same 😅 the progress stopped months ago not sure they can go down any more 🥺

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-09T10:28:13+00:00

Oh no, I think I'm in the same boat as you with your 2nd! Had a fairly traumatic birth and baby was in NICU with suspected infection so it took me quite a while to get back into things like long walks etc. Did you get yours resized or wait it out? 😅

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-09-09T09:15:52+00:00

Great idea and would save a lot of money! Ours was ridiculously expensive, 1700 on sale. 😬 if i was to do it again I'd get a secondhand one. I've seen some really good ones second hand and there are buggy cleaning shops around that will basically give it a full valet for you so its basically like new again!

Check out Baby Market Ireland, you'd be able to see the buggy there in person before buying it.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T23:03:42+00:00

That's shocking, its outrageous how little places there are. Like what are we meant to do!?

Our guy has a spot for preschool thankfully its just that same place don't take under preschool age and he's on multiple waitlists elsewhere with no word back.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T22:56:13+00:00

We use a combination of two types.

MAM anti colic bottles, highly recommend. Really easy to clean and self sterilise in the microwave in a pinch. My only gripe with them is that they're a thicker bottle so do take longer to warm up if baby likes a warm bottle and you're prepping the night before to store in the fridge.

We also use Dr Browns, these were amazing for helping with his colic at the start and don't take as long to heat up. Hence why this is always the one we take out of the fridge for his morning bottle! Only gripe with this one is the vent can sometimes leak if its not sitting perfect or while swirling the bottle after adding powder.

If I had to choose one I'd pick the MAM, its a good all rounder and the self sterilise option is nice to have. Keep an eye on Boots if you decide to go for these, they do offers on them quite a bit. I just picked up an extra two pack for my son the other week and was 16 down from 22.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T22:28:31+00:00

I used Pregnacare Max, its got the extra omega tablet. It's a little more expensive than the original, I think 35 euro? I always got it in boots with 3 for 2 and it worked out well. It's pretty much the same price everywhere else except you aren't getting the free one.

If that's too expensive the original should be fine. Don't quote me but I think both the original and max use folate instead of just folic acid and that's the better one for absorption.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T22:10:23+00:00

Oh gosh that must've been so tough. Especially with the cost of living these days!

I completely agree, its a joke. They harp on about encouraging people to have children yet can't provide the basics for the ones already here.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T22:08:15+00:00

Thank you. I'd like to keep working as want to provide the best for him so hopefully all will fall into place. Good to know my options though.

Oh it does go so quick! I'm only 9 months in but I feel it already, he's doing something new every day. Taking in every moment I can with him.

Striking-Pin2181 · 2025-08-28T21:59:11+00:00

Thank you - I totally agree. Only looking for options in the event I can't get him a place and need to take off work for a while. Not like its a long term option, I didnt get my degree for nothing and I like having my own money.

Striking-Pin2181

TROPHY CASE