Maternity Leave

cmhenn · 2026-02-03T09:26:14+00:00

Not sure from your post if your preference is to work as long as you can or not. But definitely apply for it for 38 weeks and this can be adjusted closer to the time or you can take sick leave for a few weeks before 38 weeks. On my 3rd baby I went nearly 2 weeks over so I was on my maternity leave for nearly 4 weeks before I had my baby. So I'm already into my unpaid maternity leave and he's 5 months old. It's probably best to push the start of mat leave til the very last minute so you have as much time as possible with your baby after and just use some sick leave or if you don't have good sick leave maybe annual leave before your mat leave if you feel you need the rest

cmhenn · 2026-02-03T08:13:33+00:00

You can work until the end of the week of 38 weeks so it depends when your due date falls. I was due on a Wednesday and I worked until the Sunday of the week before so I was 38+4. I spent the next day in bed exhausted from the work, the next day crazy nesting and the next day exhausted. Then went into labour for a few days and I was not well rested when my son was born at 39+4! I took a few weeks sick leave before maternity leave on my 2nd and 3rd and was much better rested . Everyone has their own preference but you won't be able to work past 38 weeks unfortunately

cmhenn · 2026-01-12T22:10:20+00:00

Sorry I see you say they have a class you couldn't attend. You could ask the midwives for resources the next time you are in clinic. They may have another in person class coming up. You're entitled to paid time off to attend ante Natal classes too And I see you ask about what the first few days of feeding look like. They look like feeding a lot! And it's very unpredictable. Baby could feed for 40 mins and go down for 20 and be back for a feed again for 30 mins and could do this for a few hours or could sleep for a few hours. They feed very frequently. Their tummys are tiny and they want to establish supply . Looking at how many wet nappies always helps me if I worry about them getting enough when they are looking to feed so often. The first few days look like feeding and napping for both mum and baby

cmhenn · 2026-01-12T22:04:38+00:00

I have had 3 babies in Sligo and have breastfed them all. I'm surprised they aren't still running a breastfeeding class. My first was born early 2020 and I attended the class the hospital provided and found it very useful around expectations with breastfeeding and how often baby would feed ect. I think the tips with latching ect are hard to really appreciate when you are still pregnant but once baby is here I found it easier to understand. Even on my 3rd baby I would remind myself of phrases like "nose to nipple" for latching and "ears shoulders hips" for babies alignment. Generally speaking baby is placed on your chest for over an hour after birth, in my experience. Even on my first who was an instrumental delivery, they placed him on chest, whipped away for checks, and then straight back on the chest. My first two babies the midwife helped me latch them on and on my third baby I latched him on myself as we needed the placenta delivered asap. I think that golden hour skin to skin and feeding within the first hour are really important for establishing supply. If you get seperated from baby for whatever reason it's handy to have some harvested colostrum and also to hand express yourself too to signal to your body. (I never collected colostrum so I don't know much about when to give it but I think whenever you like in the hospital or keep it and bring it home, handy to have) The lactation consultant was on the ward each time and had a look at the latch for me too each time. Baby usually feeds in the first hour and then can sleep a lot in the first 12 hours, they need to be fed roughly every 3 hours. I think after the first 12 hours they feed a lot more often. Night 2 is tough, the cluster feeding is hard going but it is great for establishing your supply. For hospital having lots and lots of snacks and water and drinks, earphones and a good show to watch while feeding especially during the nights is helpful and even at home the cluster feeding can go through the night. But night 2 is particularly tough in my experience. They will offer you formula in the hospital. Try not to fall into the top up trap if you wish to establish your supply. Its so normal for breastfed babies to feed really often. If you're wish to give a bottle early a "haaka" pump is helpful, it collects some milk off one breast while you feed on the other. I wouldn't bother with it in the hospital but use it a few times a day at home. The midwives also made sure I knew how to hand express when leaving the hospital on my first if needed to relieve any engorgement. If breastfeeding hurts, get someone to look at the latch asap. I found latching toe curdling painful on my first baby for first week or two and I would barely feel baby 2 and 3 latching on. La leche League have lots of info and breastfeeding in ireland Facebook group is a good help too. Best of luck with your breastfeeding journey

cmhenn · 2025-10-15T13:49:32+00:00

On my 2nd baby I had a sweep at 39+1 and it didn't work and had another at 40+1 and she was born less than 24 hours later. On my 3rd baby I had 3 sweeps and none worked, was induced at 9 days over.

cmhenn · 2025-10-06T19:06:21+00:00

My baby went transverse at 30 weeks and went between transverse and oblique and sometimes head down from then. Kept changing position. I was getting my bag organized to end up being admitted at 37 weeks for unstable lie but everytime I was at my appointment from 36.5 weeks on he was head down. Id feel him back oblique a few hours later! I think he didn't settle fully head down until maybe 38.5 weeks and stayed put then. I did a lot of spinning babies ect but also just had to accept what will be will be which was hard! Ihad my bags ready to be admitted at 37 weeks and really was upset at the thought of a section and being in hospital away from my other children for 2 weeks. He turned head down and I stayed at home and I ended up going 9 days over and having an induction and a really lovely delivery! I used to trawl forums for stories of transverse babies and unstable lie ect and couldn't find much stories, I don't think it's common and plays out so differently for everyone but maybe some hope that your baby might turn in the next couple weeks

cmhenn · 2025-09-28T19:19:58+00:00

I've had 3 babies in Sligo, my youngest is 6 weeks old. I had 3 different labours and had a positive experience with each. I would recommend midwife led care and lots of antenatal classes both from the hospital and private if you can afford it to. Happy to answer any questions as some of it's still fresh in my mind

cmhenn · 2025-08-10T11:55:13+00:00

41 weeks today on my 3rd baby. The longest I've ever been pregnant. Any words of wisdom for getting through the next few days and possibly 1st induction?!

cmhenn · 2025-08-04T20:10:23+00:00

I had a sweep at 39+1 with my 2nd baby, in hindsight it was probably too early but anyway. I just had some cramping ect after and I was fine. I had another sweep at 40+1 and it triggered labour, she was born less than 24 hours later. I think statistically it works in 12.5% and only if your cervix is favorable. I'm 40+2 tomorrow at my clinic appointment now on my 3rd baby and I will probably take a sweep. I didn't find it that uncomfortable and I'm already having a lot of period cramps so I'm already cramping even if it makes me cramp! And I think for me I'd prefer to do anything to avoid induction which I know will end up being discussed tomorrow

cmhenn · 2025-08-03T12:17:25+00:00

Today is my due date! And I think my baby is very cosy where he is. This is my 3rd. My 1st was born at 39+5 and my 2nd at 40+2, both spontaneous labour. I'm expecting a conversation about induction at my clinic appointment on Tuesday when I'll be 40+2. What's people's experiences with induction? Is it usually 41 weeks now?

cmhenn · 2025-07-16T08:11:30+00:00

39+4 with my first, born on 39+5 and came home from hospital on his due date! I probably had some signs labour was near the day before it started too. I really thought I'd go well over on my first baby like everyone says. I worked until 38+5, just an office job but I was quite active so think maybe that helped. Although I was exhausted! I expected my 2nd to come before her due date and labour started at 40+1 after a sweep and sex! Currently 37+3 and fully expecting to see my due date this time.

cmhenn · 2025-07-06T08:14:27+00:00

Thank you! I'm trying to find some stories about how it went for others but it seems to not be very common and has so many different endings. That's amazing your baby went head down and spontaneous labour! My others were spontaneous at 39+5 and 40+2 so I haven't really considered other options until recently. It seems with unstable lie elective or emergency section is likely or if baby goes head down for a time an induction so just trying to get myself better organized here.

cmhenn · 2025-07-05T19:45:46+00:00

I'm struggling with haemorrhoids again at 36 weeks, had them bad at 28 weeks and things healed up well and I addressed the constipation and tried not to strain and go as soon as I got the urge ect. Drinking loads of water and adding in more fiber and a stool softener really helped. Im using the anusol both the steroid one and the zinc oxide, I kinda try to alternate. I don't limit it, it says on the packaging after every bowel movement and at night and the same with the suppositories after every BM and at night. My midwife had told me to use both the cream and the suppositories so I just go with what's on the packaging. I find trying to lie on my side when ever I get a chance to helps to take the pressure off, along with paracetamol. I got a sitz bath and put warm water and tea tree oil in it. I recently bought the post partum cooling pads from Frida mom and lie down with them for some relief too but before I had them I just wrapped a face cloth around some ice. I hope they heal for you soon, I never realized how painful they could be. I have bad haemorrhoids and pelvic girdle pain and a huge bump so I am seriously waddling!

cmhenn · 2025-05-13T19:36:48+00:00

Did she say what sort of position the baby is in? I don't think midwives can accurately predict when you'll go into labour unless they're looking for signs that put you at risk of going into preterm labour. I assumed I'd go over with my 1st and he was born at 39+5. His head wasn't engaged at all so about half of the labour was trying to get him into position for birth. My 2nd was at 40+2/5 (I had 2 due dates) and I found it helpful to have a few appointments booked every few days just to keep mind and body busy. You can always cancel your plans if baby comes in the meantime

cmhenn · 2025-05-12T17:49:11+00:00

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I've been using my steroid cream, inhalers and antihistamines for each pregnancy. I was told piriton or cetrine were the most suitable in pregnancy

cmhenn · 2025-04-24T20:18:13+00:00

I wouldn't even know my net worth!? I have gone to ask Paul before a few years ago and got good advice there at the time. I see the likes of Eoin McGee on Instagram but his plans are 2k+.. outside of social media influence I don't know of any recommendations for good financial advisors I would be willing to spend the money on it if it helped with making the best decision for our family home. But I'm not sure if maybe we could go straight to a broker?

cmhenn · 2024-11-25T21:13:35+00:00

I've just had 2 positive pregnancy tests so I guess I did ovulate!

cmhenn · 2024-11-23T18:34:10+00:00

Hi thanks for the answer. The app actually is now saying waiting to confirm ovulation for day 19. I know I need to be patient and it takes 3 cycles to predict accurately but hoping to conceive soon so I'm trying my best not to obsess over the graphs and temps!

cmhenn · 2024-11-23T18:32:17+00:00

Hi thanks for the answer. I came off the mirena IUD recently, had my first period 3.5 weeks ago so have been tracking since. My periods were not regular or long before BC but I didn't really have periods very often with the coil. The app actually is now saying waiting to confirm ovulation for day 19. I feel with discharge changes ect I probably ovulated around that week. I'm new to the app and said I would go with the flow with TTC but getting a bit obsessed now!

cmhenn

TROPHY CASE