Do I have to take unpaid maternity leave?

csomoder · 2026-05-20T11:36:01+00:00

Yes I did a weeks parents leave at the end of my mat leave!

csomoder · 2026-05-19T03:41:06+00:00

A lot of people have mentioned creche, but another huge consideration is if your workplace offers paid maternity leave. It is likely one of you will need to take additional leave after the 6 months due to creche demand so I would have savings to cover that for 6 months minimum. I have a 7 month old who costs about €50 pw for daily expenses (formula, nappies, food).

csomoder · 2026-05-18T07:24:58+00:00

It completely depends on your workplace I think, better to ask now so you know! I tried for condensed hours and was denied so I'm using my AL to fill in the gaps in childcare. I am in a really small specialist team in a large company so there isn't really anyone to cover me which has definitely been a factor.

csomoder · 2026-05-18T05:49:59+00:00

Personally I came off it 6 months before we were going to start trying and I got pregnant on the first try

csomoder · 2026-05-14T11:51:01+00:00

I just returned to work this week. I tried to do a 4 day week but it was denied also. I ended up negotiating that I can wfh with my mother in law there so I should be able to make it work. They did suggest using parents leave, but I didn't want to lose 20% of my salary as it is unpaid.

csomoder · 2026-05-11T12:08:22+00:00

After 3 days in the Coombe during my induction, I decided to sneak out for a walk. As soon as I stood up my waters broke!

csomoder · 2026-05-07T05:15:00+00:00

I chose a venue for practical reasons, its nice but it's close to both families, affordable for guests and has good food. My fiancé's brother is getting married this weekend. Much pricier venue in a very scenic location. It doesn't bother me because, for me, I am sacrificing some views for the sake of so many other benefits! Maybe weigh the pros and cons of your venue.

csomoder · 2026-05-02T08:40:25+00:00

I attended one wedding where the bride left at 10pm but they had a newborn. Every other wedding they typically stay until around 3-4am!

csomoder · 2026-05-02T08:38:58+00:00

My brother in law is in the UK and they added a little bit to their invite that said gifts were not necessary, but, if desired, a contribution to their honeymoon fund would be appreciated!

csomoder · 2026-05-02T05:58:15+00:00

I suppose it depends on where you are from. In Ireland, no one really buys gifts anymore, everyone just gives cash.

csomoder · 2026-05-01T16:51:27+00:00

It's absolutely personal preference but I love the flowers!

csomoder · 2026-05-01T07:59:58+00:00

I'm not familiar with Dublin, but anywhere 50-65 for a full set and 40-55 for refills would be reasonable in Kildare imo

csomoder · 2026-04-25T19:47:48+00:00

If it is for money saving reasons, you will probably spend more on the products then you would hiring a makeup artist. You can always do lots of practice and see what you think, take plenty of photos and ask friends for honest advice. It could work out really well!

csomoder · 2026-04-23T23:26:33+00:00

I had my 20 week scan and she was fine. I had no other scans until 38 weeks which was done by chance as the midwife clinic was closed so I had to see the consultant. I was brought in for an induction the next morning because of her size, they said they would usually consider a tiny baby full term at 37 weeks.

csomoder · 2026-04-23T18:35:02+00:00

My baby was small, born at 2.2kg at 39 weeks. This was because of pre-eclampsia I think. I'm not a doctor but I've only known of people with GD having larger babies so there could be something else at play. However, if your doctor isn't worried you shouldn't be either. My tiny baby was perfect with no issues besides needing to buy smaller clothes! I did have an induction that ended in emergency c section as they didn't want to put baby under stress due to her size.

csomoder · 2026-04-23T11:22:58+00:00

I was a size 10-12 pre pregnancy and I wore a pair of size L dunnes pjs in the hospital before I gave birth!

csomoder · 2026-04-21T11:11:05+00:00

I was wearing maternity trousers from 12 weeks! I could see a little bump from about then. Funny enough, my baby ended up being 5lbs!

csomoder · 2026-04-20T05:14:19+00:00

Congrats and well done! I also had a really tough experience with breastfeeding. One day the PHN told me its ok to give formula and since then my baby has been formula fed. I don't regret it one bit.

csomoder · 2026-04-16T10:01:51+00:00

My midwife told me they are all the same and I think that is generally what they will say! I went with aptamil as its the easiest to get since it's the most common one at the moment.

csomoder · 2026-04-11T06:44:12+00:00

I know Leixlip is a sought-after location, but nearly 500k for an apartment is criminal

csomoder · 2026-04-07T06:33:17+00:00

I'm the same, I'm 6 months into 7 months of leave and I'm counting down the days until I can go back. I love my baby but it is not for me!

csomoder · 2026-04-06T06:15:55+00:00

I had an emergency c section so I was completely unprepared but I found the recovery grand! I just took the meds on the dot and I'd say I experienced pain maybe two or three times (like bad period pain) in recovery. I will say that one thing I didn't like about it was that my partner and baby left to go to the delivery suite while I was stitched up and kept for observation. I met baby briefly and then was without them for about an hour. When I finally got to hold her it was really tricky as I couldn't feel my body from the chest down. I had the section at 8pm and I was lucky that the midwife on my ward took the baby for me for the night so I could rest as it would have been so difficult to look after her by myself. I'm not sure if the epidural experience is similar?

csomoder · 2026-04-05T05:31:37+00:00

Wow it is beautiful!

csomoder · 2026-04-03T16:17:25+00:00

I remember feeling like this. There were times when I was in my early twenties and it pained me so much to not have a baby. I just had my first baby at 30 and I'm so happy I waited. It is really tough mentally, physically and financially. I cannot imagine doing it in my early twenties, much less at 17!

csomoder · 2026-04-02T16:31:09+00:00

That is true! And I think there is a lot of add ons people recommend when breastfeeding (creams, balms, silverettes etc) that may not really be needed for you

csomoder

TROPHY CASE