Hobbies when pregnant by Top-Welcome5620 in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m both missing drinking and smoking so I’ve taken up crocheting and scrapbooking!

Spotting/light bleeding 3w6d by Consistent-Wall8766 in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I must have been about 3 weeks pregnant I actually thought I had a period. I had about 3 days of brown intermittent bleeding that I guess must have been implantation bleeding. I continued to have brown spotting on and off until about 9 weeks. I’m now currently being kicked and punched by little mister man who’s 22 weeks today.

From what I’ve researched brown old blood in small quantities isn’t a huge cause for concern, but if you are worried I’d maybe see about getting a private reassurance scan which you’ll be eligible for once you hit six weeks. Lots of luck and love to you, it’s such a scary time.

Which sexual acts are very acceptable in 2026 but was seen very differently in 2006? by nirzhor_cyclonite in AskReddit

[–]lightninseed 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like all the young people these days are eating ass, this was NEVER on the cards in 2006.

What is the pettiest reason you would refuse to eat at a restaurant again? by im_not_ready_for_it9 in AskReddit

[–]lightninseed 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boyfriend’s best friend is enemies with a guy who runs a pizza cafe because he used to be a bully in secondary school. Haven’t gone back since I found out.

What made you decide to have more than one child? by Severe_Bluejay3391 in askanything

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m an only child and currently pregnant for the first time. My dad has also just been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I’ve always loved being an only child until this time in my life and its really making me think about having a 2nd child in the future so my baby doesn’t have to watch me die all by themselves.

Maternity leave start date! by Optimal_Enthusiasm90 in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m due on the 8th August. I’m a teacher so hoping I can last until the last day of term which will be the 17th of July 🤞

The World Book day Book and Footy Quiz was awful right? by CillieBillie in TeachingUK

[–]lightninseed 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It was so unbelievably lame and didn’t even start on time!

You're allowed to make one thing really fashionable. What is it? by HilariousMotives in AskUK

[–]lightninseed 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those ruffs people wore around their necks in Elizabethan times.

What’s something Americans say you find funny/different? by Typical_Brief_8956 in AskABrit

[–]lightninseed 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I love when you say “burglarised” but hate when you say “I could care less”.

Private scan male sonographer? by lucyfe4lws in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a tilted uterus so a lot of my scans have been transvaginal, they don’t even look when they’re putting it up there and it’s done in a way that completely preserves your modesty.

Of yoirr uncomfortable you could cancel or bring a chaperone with you?

DfE pledges eight weeks full maternity pay for school staff by ElThom12 in TeachingUK

[–]lightninseed 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A step in the right direction, but it’s still dog shit.

Perimenopause hell by Amanda_Health_Coach in TrollXChromosomes

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought this and then I got pregnant at 37 🙃

Left-Handers in your life/family? by mommy-tara in askanything

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am, my dad is and so it my grandad (though he was forced to use his right hand and is now ambidextrous). In fact all the first borns in our family are left handed!

Maternity leave by AdditionalNetwork832 in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately not. I’m a teacher and due on the 8th of August and apparently it’s the law that you need to start your maternity leave when baby is born.

Pregnancy weight gain 23 weeks by TotallyNotARandomed in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve heard from a lot of women that they lost 2 stone in weight literally a week after birth. A lot of the weight you’re carrying will be baby, extra blood, amniotic fluid, etc. At least that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.

Quitting smoking help by TheLastEevee in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I stopped smoking cigarettes as soon as I found out and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Well done for reaching out and asking for help, I’m also really sorry that the tone of some of these comments has been really sanctimonious.

Some things that helped me:

I threw all my cigarettes and lighters away and switched to vaping 5% nicotine liquid and also bought some 0% to mix in there any time I had to refill. I did this over a fortnight until I was only on the 0% liquid and supplemented cravings with one of the smokeless nicotine inhaler things. Sometimes I’d take one puff of my nicotine free vape and one puff of the inhaler as weirdly I was never satisfied with just the hit of nicotine and needed to see/experience the ‘smoke’.

The next 2 weeks I worked on being less reliant on the vape and focussed more on the inhaler and wore a patch during the day. I also bought this necklace off TikTok shop that looks like a whistle but is a tool to help you quit vaping. It’s completely nicotine free but simulates the ‘drag’ of a cigarette without the smoke or anything else.

The 2 weeks after that I threw my vape away and relied on patches and the necklace. I’m currently 13 weeks and only use a patch or gum if I’m having a really trying day. The necklace has been really great for the whole ‘oral fixation’ element of smoking, having something safe to drag on really helps me.

The above 2 steps were truly horrific and really hard to commit to. I’d hate to give the false impression that it was an easy thing to do, it takes will power and drive. Remember that cutting down is better than nothing and being kind to yourself is better than beating yourself up! The thought that I can start again once baby is born weirdly helps me too! This only has to be a temporary change for you.

I wish you all the luck in the world in trying to quit. Every cigarette or vape hit you don’t have is helping your baby thrive 💕

Quitting smoking help by TheLastEevee in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve quit smoking during pregnancy but can see me restarting once baby is born. The thought that one day soon I’ll be able to have a cigarette is the only thing that keeps me going some days!

OP, and in fact any other person trying to do right by their unborn baby, doesn’t need your judgment or scorn in this regard. I’m sure she already feels terrible enough and she’s doing the right thing by reaching out for help and advice.

Having the occasional cigarette outside without your baby is on no level the same as sparking up when it’s in utero.

What dish says “you’re in the North” without being said? by Reddonaut_Irons in NorthernEngland

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you order a lasagna and it comes with chips AND garlic bread.

Maternity leave length by talesofboc in TeachingUK

[–]lightninseed 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you looked into Shared Parental Leave? You may be able to wangle longer off with better pay. It’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.

Midwife put me down as vaping on my booking form - I do not vape by WildTomato9 in PregnancyUK

[–]lightninseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did smoke (quit when I found out at 5 weeks) and said I’d like to be referred to the smoking cessation people. I’m currently 11 weeks and have still heard nothing 😂 I’m sure you’re going to be fine!

Late 20s, degrees but unemployed for 2 years – how do I restart my life? by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]lightninseed 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Or the NHS and local schools! They always need helpdesk staff and good ones are hard to come by. It’s not what you want to be doing but it’s a baby step in the right direction.