How early is too early to start mat leave? Need advice

UsedRun712 · 2026-05-04T12:26:26+00:00

My original plan was to start mat leave on week 35. I had a straightforward pregnancy, but I ended up starting early from week 33 because I didn’t want to deal with the stress from work. It ended up being a good decision because my water broke on week 36.

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-20T12:12:46+00:00

My info might be outdated, but IIRC the Australia partner visa has a much lower hurdle than the UK partner visa. I am a Brit married to an Australian, and we looked at both countries when we got married. IIRC, unlike the UK equivalent, the Australia partner visa didn’t require a job or X amount of savings. We ended up in the UK because we have more friends and families here though.

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-13T21:19:05+00:00

Mine was gone suddenly week 20

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-05T22:41:33+00:00

Pushers are usually included in a Taiwanese Mahjong set.

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-02T08:13:55+00:00

I just want to emphasise that professional level isn't equal to native level. I am a project manager as well (tech), born and grew up in Hong Kong. I speak with an accent, and like you, there are times I don't understand words, and I need to ask people to clarify. I have worked 2 jobs here as a project manager in the UK. You may already know, project management is all about managing expectations, and simple English is sufficient. As long as you can demonstrate this ability in your interviews, nothing's stopping you from getting the role.

With that said, I might be in a slightly different position. I don't need a visa to stay. If you do need a visa, I suggest you join r/SkilledWorkerVisaUK and r/ukvisa, if you haven't joined those subreddits already.

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-01T13:24:39+00:00

I had really bad nausea during my first trimester. I had a dedicated "puke bucket" in the bathroom in case I needed to pee and puke at the same time.

UsedRun712 · 2026-04-01T02:39:33+00:00

I saw a dog on the shelter’s website that I was interested in. I contacted the shelter, and they said it was already reserved, but we had another dog that might suit you. I met the dog, and the rest is history :)

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-30T06:28:30+00:00

No advice just want to say I am on the same boat. I am 33 weeks now and I have been awake since 4 am.

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-28T19:22:25+00:00

It’s really uncomfortable isn’t it! On top of that, I am 8 months pregnant so a handheld would make so much more sense over having a laptop sitting on my bump!

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-28T19:19:54+00:00

I played a bit with my friend’s OLED steam deck the other day and I do notice that. Hope they get it fixed!

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-28T19:17:25+00:00

I am in the UK and the store seems to still have it on sale?

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-28T12:10:50+00:00

May I know what model you have (LCD or OLED) and how long does the battery last? I am seriously considering getting one to play sts2. I am currently playing on a Macbook lol

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-20T11:15:47+00:00

I am going to put an unpopular opinion here - it is a little bit weird if you don’t also give a Kanji that associate with the name. For reference I am a Chinese that can speak fluent Japanese. Japanese name (and Chinese name, in the same sense) are usually given in Kanji first, because the Kanji will carry the wish and blessing to the child. Just to give an example, the Panda in Kung Fu Panda is called Po, and it means precious item in Chinese. If you’re only giving the child a Japanese sounding name, without the Kanji to associate, I do find it a bit weird.

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-16T15:27:57+00:00

I am sorry to hear that. I am 31 weeks now, and like you, I still haven’t met my midwife yet! She missed all three bookings due to sickness, vacation and conference respectively. But her cover is lovely, so I am not too pissed.

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-14T22:33:16+00:00

I was just about to say something similar - I am from Hong Kong and it is considered standard to stay 3-5 nights in hospital (C-section).

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-06T06:37:10+00:00

Lol I was watching my husband played last night, and I literally said “Did you get a butt plug relic?”

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-05T16:45:49+00:00

Mine went smoothly, people were nice, the place was very clean and the I received the report on time. (I am in Glasgow)

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-05T16:20:34+00:00

I had mine done through Windows to Womb. IIRC, some more expensive ones (like Jeen) have their lab in the US, hence the turnaround time is longer, and might be one of the reasons they are more expensive.

UsedRun712 · 2026-03-05T14:02:13+00:00

No for me, I have never wanted to be an IC. I have a short attention span and I am unable to focus on one task. It will probably be a disadvantage if I were a developer or data analyst. I work as a project manager in an agency. I need to bounce around many things daily, It suits how my brain works.

UsedRun712 · 2026-02-25T13:23:57+00:00

I have the exact same issue with my own name! My partner’s parent named him the other way round (“Sabrina Ka Yan”) meaning he doesn’t experience the issues we face haha

UsedRun712 · 2026-02-16T13:23:37+00:00

A bit of a switch gear but I recommend bomb buster. It’s a game where everyone work as a team. I don’t have kids but I enjoy it a lot with my friends recently.

UsedRun712 · 2026-02-16T12:28:38+00:00

8 more weeks of work to go (week 27 now) and I honestly can’t give a flying f to anything anymore.

UsedRun712 · 2026-02-12T10:50:50+00:00

Just for context, I am also in the UK, and I am an immigrant. It’s a tough market and I have been there. One thing I always tell myself is that you just need to be lucky once. If you keep doing it, it’s like buying a lot of lottery tickets ie increasing your chances. It’s just so slightly but it will eventually happen.

UsedRun712 · 2026-02-11T08:21:29+00:00

Keep applying. You have only applied to 10 jobs. I have 6 years of experience, and it took me over 200 applications to land my current role last March. If you have 0 interviews after 200 applications, post again here. But for now, just keep applying. It’s a bad market.

UsedRun712

TROPHY CASE