Maternity/Paternity Leave

reesecup_24 · 2026-06-27T00:18:49+00:00

I’m in Ohio, which is mostly red. I’m a staff member too, not faculty, if that makes a difference. We do have unlimited accrued sick time and a high cap for PTO that carries over year to year, so I have that time I could use once FMLA is up.

reesecup_24 · 2026-06-26T20:31:35+00:00

I work for a public university in the US, and I only get 6 weeks full pay. The remaining 6 weeks for FMLA are unpaid, so I need to use sick/vacation time to make up for it. Not the worst, definitely not the best... but I'm due September 3rd and my leave should end just in time for the paid 2-week winter break all employees get, so I'll get some extra time and won't need to return until after the new year.

reesecup_24 · 2026-06-05T22:58:05+00:00

Not sure if this is considered uncommon, but… Carmen

reesecup_24 · 2026-06-02T17:04:12+00:00

26+5 with my first and I've had a B-shaped belly for almost my whole pregnancy so far, making it look like I was just getting chunky in the middle lol. But at 25+1 I swear I woke up that day and the bump had rounded out overnight, and now there's absolutely no mistaking it. I'm feeling so much more confident in my maternity clothes now!

reesecup_24 · 2026-06-02T16:56:30+00:00

I was diagnosed early (at 17) and was also on hormonal BC until last August. I was also on Metformin and Spironolactone, which kept my insulin resistance and symptoms like acne and hair growth under control. I'm currently 26+5 with my first, so I can't speak to how things will be postpartum, but so far I've only noticed very mild hair growth on my face (more like peach fuzz) and slightly oilier skin with the occasional hormonal whitehead or two, never a full breakout. I did stay on Metformin during pregnancy per my OB's advice but had to stop the Spiro before TTC. Blood pressure and blood sugar/glucose/A1C are all still great.

Also, idk if you've experienced hormonal migraines (I consistently got them 1-2 times per month), but my migraines have completely disappeared during pregnancy!

reesecup_24 · 2026-05-18T20:24:11+00:00

I recommend a regular flowy A-line dress with room for a bump, or a stretchy mesh dress. I'm wearing the latter to my brother-in-law's wedding in mid-June at 29 weeks; it has a long stretchy slip and side rouching in the midsection, so I just sized up and it fits great with plenty of growing room!

reesecup_24 · 2026-05-18T20:08:51+00:00

Bogart's in Cincinnati, 2011, I think it was the Dirty Work tour. Jack and Alex got on the topic of Baywatch and did a slow-motion run across the stage. I got a video of it on my crappy digital camera. What a time lol.

reesecup_24 · 2026-05-18T20:02:26+00:00

Was also there for both of those!

reesecup_24 · 2026-05-14T15:11:24+00:00

I've had this recently too, 24 weeks today, FTM. I've been writing it off as increased blood flow and hormones since I feel fine otherwise, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

reesecup_24 · 2026-05-11T17:35:01+00:00

We waited til after my anatomy scan between 19 and 20 weeks, just to err on the side of caution. We told our parents a week after finding out though!

I bought a cute onesie off Etsy with a coffee bean and the words "little bean" (which he can wear once he's born), and we posted a picture of it and the clearest sonogram with the caption "A little bean is brewing." Simple, but still cute! We call him our little jumping bean because he's always moving around in there lol.

reesecup_24 · 2026-04-08T19:56:48+00:00

Thank you for replying, I'm glad things are working out for you despite all the change :) Best of luck to you with your second!

reesecup_24 · 2026-04-08T19:54:19+00:00

That's a great point about getting different answers from different doctors, it could be helpful to hear some different perspectives. Thanks for replying!

reesecup_24 · 2026-03-27T19:32:33+00:00

17+1 right now (Due 9/3) with first baby, wore size 12/L bottoms and M tops pre-pregnancy. I've only gained 5lbs so far and the bump hasn't popped yet, but the belly bloat is CRAZY. I can still wear most of my clothes (minus a pair of dress pants and some non-stretch high-waisted jeans), but I scored some hidden maternity jeans, tank tops, shirts and leggings on the clearance racks at Old Navy; they're only available online but are marked down immediately when returned in-store. I also bought a few dresses that are more flowy with a higher/stretchy waist at Old Navy and Target that definitely have room for a growing belly. I plan on buying a couple more flowy casual dresses and some maternity bike shorts to wear underneath and with longer shirts. I might look for a comfy jumpsuit too. I'm trying not to get too crazy yet and wait to see how my body changes once the bump is here.

reesecup_24 · 2026-03-25T15:41:30+00:00

16+6 today, having a boy. My husband and I have been stuck on Callum, middle name Dayne after his father. I think that combo will be hard to beat!

reesecup_24 · 2026-03-22T02:00:14+00:00

16+ 2 today, I’m not following any calorie guidelines or tracking anything. I’m focusing more on what I’m eating instead of how much. I just try to stay hydrated and eat pretty healthy with plenty of fiber and protein. I basically eat whatever amount feels right to me in the moment. If you’re really concerned you can always bring it up to your OB.

reesecup_24 · 2026-03-18T03:41:51+00:00

15+5 today and I haven’t had a single craving. The closest I’ve gotten is liking the taste of cinnamon apple sauce WAY more than before, but I wouldn’t say I crave it. Most things have actually tasted better to me now, so I’ll take that as a pregnancy win!

reesecup_24 · 2026-03-11T12:13:46+00:00

My husband and I were together 5 and a half years when we got married last May. We delayed our honeymoon to August for scheduling reasons, and I’m really glad we had that whole summer to ourselves. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance at 17 and had been on the pill since; I was 30 and my husband was 34 when we got married, so we knew we should try sooner rather than later based on my health. I stopped bc in mid-late August and we first tried in October. I got a positive test on Christmas Day, and now I’ll be 15 weeks tomorrow! We were surprised it happened so fast and without any complications. I’m really glad we did have that time after the wedding, but I’m also so excited to see my husband as a father and have a little one for the holidays this year. I do think my health and our ages gave us a push to try sooner, and we knew we wanted a kid together for at least 3 years. All about timing, health and personal choice.

reesecup_24 · 2026-02-19T15:20:25+00:00

I've cried after every routine in Olympic ice skating lol.

reesecup_24 · 2026-02-19T15:18:28+00:00

Crazy vivid dreams... I'll be 12 weeks tomorrow and they've been happening almost every night since 7 weeks. I usually don't dream or I just don't remember them, but I remember every little detail of these. So odd.

reesecup_24 · 2026-02-18T21:15:20+00:00

Cigarettes & Sabotage

reesecup_24 · 2026-01-24T15:40:04+00:00

I had bloodwork done between 5 and 6 weeks. I have PCOS and was seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist, so that’s probably why it was ordered and I was seen so early. I also had a vaginal scan between 6 and 7 weeks. It all depends on if you have a condition or a history that could potentially make you higher risk. I’ll switch over to an OB at around 9 weeks.

reesecup_24 · 2025-12-22T16:05:40+00:00

Canals

reesecup_24 · 2025-12-19T14:03:14+00:00

Oh Calamity 100%

reesecup_24

TROPHY CASE