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Decorating a Small Nursery on a Budget

decorating a nurseyr on a small budget
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Decorating a baby’s nursery can be so much fun, although with the pressures of trying to compete for the best nursery and extravagant ideas, it can get expensive. Today, we’re giving you some tips on decorating a small nursery on a budget. 

We’ve all been there, scrolling down Pinterest for numerous hours a day, you’ve seen loads of amazing ideas for your baby’s nursery. You’ve searched everything that has caught your eye and you’ve got a total figure, only…your bank account doesn’t agree. 

The truth is, you don’t need to spend a fortune to decorate the perfect nursery for your baby. 

Decorate the Nursery yourself

You don’t need to hire a decorator to come and paint the walls in your baby’s new room, you can do it yourself! If you aren’t the arty and creative type, why not have a look around for some nice wallpaper that might be easier for you to fit? Many people think they have to spend lots of money on something for it to look good, but that’s not always the case. Choose some paint or wallpaper that you like and take your time with it, you might really enjoy it and you’ll feel extremely proud of yourself by the end of it. 

Top quality, low price

Bedding can be expensive, but when you’re buying bedding for your new baby, it’s almost certainly not going to last very long. So, we suggest getting down to your local town centre and choosing some high quality, inexpensive bedding. Try to pick a pattern that you’d like to use throughout the whole room, or, if you’ve already sorted the wall decorations, try to match the bedding with that. 

Long lasting furniture

When you’re expecting a baby, you always want to buy the cutest pieces of furniture, however, if you’re on a budget, this might not be the best choice for you. Instead, try purchasing furniture that you can tell will last for years to come. Your baby will need a dresser and perhaps a wardrobe, but there’s no need for these to have a baby themed design on them. It will save you money in the long term if you don’t have to update their furniture when they’ve decided they’ve grown out of it all. Why not have a look on your local Facebook page for people giving away furniture? This would save you lots of money!!!

Bursts of colour

Trying to add a bit of flair to a room can feel like a tough task when you’re trying to decorate a nursery on a budget, but one really easy and inexpensive way to do this is to buy a brightly coloured doorknob or a couple of bright photo frames to go up on the wall. These bursts of colour will make a massive difference to the room. Like we said earlier, just try to stick to a certain colour scheme and you won’t go far wrong. 

Saving time

Shopping online can be really helpful when you’re purchasing new furniture on a budget, not only do we have second hand selling shops but you can also compare various products on price and quality quite easily before you make any decisions. This can save you a lot of time, so you can shortlist a few products that you definitely want to see in person before you buy them. 

Shop Second Hand

Don’t be afraid to buy some things second hand, such as dressers or decorative photos. A lot of the time, these products are still in fantastic condition with a lot of life still in them. Or, if they need a bit of work putting into them, why not take them on as a small project? They might only require a couple of layers of paint and they’ll be like brand new again. 

Decorating your baby’s nursery doesn’t need to drain your bank account. You can find everything you need at certain shops, that are high quality and don’t break the bank. Just make sure you shop around and follow a simple design, there are plenty of extras you can include that will provide bursts of character in your baby’s nursery.

Picking the right Car Seat for your Baby

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Choosing the right car seat for your little one is never an easy task. There’s so many things you have to think about, obviously safety being the most important but then there is comfort, design, the list goes on. In today’s blog we’re giving you some helpful tips on picking the right car seat. 

Tips on Picking the right Car Seat for your baby

Most parents buy a car seat before their new baby arrives. This is because you’ll need one to travel anywhere with your baby, such as home from the hospital or to the hospital for check ups. When purchasing a new car seat, you should ensure that it is suitable for a newborn baby. This is really important because if not, it may compromise the safety of your baby. 

Car seats come with different weight groups, making it easier to find out which ones are suitable for you at the time. There are 5 different groups, which are suitable for babies from newborn up to approximately 11 years old. Up to 15 months, all babies must be rear facing, but after that, you are fine to make this decision yourself. 

So many car seats to choose from…

Now, we know there are so many different car seats for you to choose from and by only looking at them online, it can be tough to get a real idea of whether that’s the right car seat for you. That’s why it’s a great idea to visit a large retailer that stocks a range of different ones, so that you can ask them if you can try to fit the car seat into your car. 

Practicing with Car Seats makes Perfect

Another benefit of purchasing a new car seat before your baby is born is that it means you can practice taking it in and out of the car, we know that doesn’t sound like many people’s idea of fun, but it will be useful for you to learn. Sometimes car seats can have tricky parts to connect, so get yourself familiar and you’ll be a pro by the time your baby is born. It is important to note whether your baby will be frequently travelling in another car too, you’ll need to ensure that the car seat fits in that car as well. 

Car Seat Safety

You should ensure that the car seat has passed the relevant safety regulations and has been tested accordingly. Accidents in cars do happen and a lot of them cause impact to the side of a car, so you’ll need to check that your car seat has high protection levels from side impacts. This has been introduced as a new regulation that all car seat manufacturers must adhere to. 

Car Seat Online tutorials

Some car seat manufacturers have provided online tutorials for fixing car seats into cars, this can make life much easier for you as it means you can see exactly where each part of the seat should be connected. 

Check the information leaflet

When choosing your baby’s car seat, you’ll need to look into the average weight of the seat. If you know you’re going to be lifting the car seat in and out of the car frequently then it’s a good idea to look at a more lightweight seat, rather than a big, heavy one. Make sure you check back with the instructions manual frequently, so you know exactly what age or weight your baby must be before you purchase their next car seat. 

We recommend buying a car seat brand new or only accepting car seats from close friends and family, where it’s likely that you know the history of the seat. Having a damaged seat will most definitely limit the safety of the car seat and you definitely don’t want that. Choose your seat carefully and don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ if you don’t want to accept a secondhand car seat.

6 of Netflix’s “Must Sees” for Pregnant Mums

6 netflix must sees for pregnant mums
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We know how rare a movie night can be in a house with children, so you need to make the most out of the time you have now if this is your first, if its not you deserve chilled nights watching netflix and eating your favourite sweet treats. Taking time out of your schedule is really important, it allows you to relax and can give you some quality time with your significant other. We’ve compiled this list of 6 of Netflix’s “Must Sees” for pregnant mums, so that you don’t have to waste any more time scrolling through Netflix. 

6 netflix must sees for pregnant mums

6 of Netflix’s “Must Sees” for pregnant mum’s 

“What To Expect When You’re Expecting”

This one is an emotional rollercoaster, it’ll have you laughing and crying in the same minute! This amazing story follows a number of couples and single people through their journey of having a baby, whether that be through pregnancy or adoption. There are a number of twists and turns, as you’d expect, life as a pregnant woman doesn’t exactly go as planned. This is a great film, definitely one to watch when you’re expecting. 

“Baby Mama”

This is an emotional and funny storyline, we follow Amy Poehler and Tina Fey through their journey of surrogacy. The women struggle at first to find anything in common, but after a long and hard struggle, they end up being friends. This storyline has so many unexpected twists that you’ll never guess what’s coming next. A truly happy and emotional ending for everyone involved. 

“Are We Done Yet?”

This film is perfect for the expectant parents. With Ice Cube as the main character, this one is full of humour, a follow on from ‘Are We There Yet?’. Follow this family move their whole lives for their new additions to the family. They have to deal with a lot of issues in their new house, which causes a devastating split. In the end they realise the importance of family and everyone works together to build a happy life. 

“The Notebook”

This is the perfect throwback, romantic film. We follow Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams through the ultimate love story. This one came out in 2004, but follows the journey as if they’re living in the 1940s. It tells the love story that we all desire. This is an honest and powerful story, showing their separation and the struggles of living with Alzheimers. 

“P.S. I love you”

You’ll be sobbing from the get go, this one really is emotional! You follow Hilary Swank trying to live a normal life after the loss of her husband, played by Gerard Butler. He leaves her letters with heartfelt and inspirational words, along with ‘P.S. I love you’. These letters make the widow feel stronger and as if her husband is still with her through her journey of life. 

“Knocked Up”

This one definitely doesn’t begin as a romance, it is definitely more of a comedy. When Seth Rogan and Katherine Heigl meet, they end up having a one night stand, leading to pregnancy. Neither of them are ready to be parents, this story follows them trying to become accustomed to parenting in a funny way. This film does get rather emotional, but it’ll definitely make you laugh. 

So, grab yourself some popcorn, a nice warm drink and laugh and cry along with these heartfelt, emotional films. 

Recognising the Signs of Domestic Abuse During Pregnancy

Recognising the signs of Domestic Abuse During Pregnancy
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At MyBump2Baby, we feel that it is so important to highlight and raise awareness about important issues that can happen to anyone. Today, we’re talking about domestic abuse during pregnancy. Please be aware that if you are suffering in a domestic abusive relationship during pregnancy, you are not alone and there is help available to you.

 

Unfortunately, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life, whether it’s physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological. 

Triggers Can Trigger New or Repeated Abuse

Pregnancy can act as a trigger for new or repeated abuse, which will cause the victim to be more anxious, due to protecting their baby as well as themselves. Experiencing any kind of abuse during pregnancy causes stress for the expectant mother, which means there’s stress on your unborn baby too, which can lead to a number of complications throughout pregnancy and birth. 

1 in 3 cases of domestic abuse begin during pregnancy, this is because your partner may not like that you have full control over your unborn baby. 

Recognising the signs of Abuse

Often women can find it difficult to admit that they are victims to abuse, but that’s why it’s important to recognise the signs. Maybe you’re experiencing it or maybe you’re worried about a loved one and want to know how you can help them in a discreet way. 

While abuse can come in many different forms, it is generally done in any way that belittles you and makes you feel powerless. Remember that your partner does not need to physically hurt you for it to be domestic abuse, you don’t need to wait until it goes too far to speak out.

Getting help with Domestic Abuse

There are many ways in which you can get help when experiencing domestic abuse, but getting help may not be an easy thing to suggest to your partner. Instead, you should find someone close to you that you can confide in and you know will not share your story with others. They can help you to find the best way of dealing with the abuse. Remember that your friends will want what’s best for you and this may be a new situation for them too, be brave and speak when you’re ready to. You can contact your local family law solicitors by clicking here or contact the helplines at the bottom of the post.

Are you a friend of someone suffering?

If you’re a friend thinking of confronting someone who you suspect may be a victim of domestic abuse, please be mindful about the situation, don’t force your friend to speak out if they aren’t ready and if they feel unsafe, allow them to stop talking. They will be ready one day, but you should ensure that you provide them with a shoulder to cry on and support them through whatever they decide to do. Your help will mean more to them than you’ll ever know. 

It’s so important to realise that as a victim of domestic abuse, you are never at fault and you are never alone. During the coronavirus pandemic, there are safe spots located within pharmacies across the country and you are not expected to follow the self isolation rules if you or your baby are put at risk by someone living in your household. Please do not suffer in silence, things will get easier and better for you.

Helplines for Domestic Abuse

If you need to talk to someone…

If you want to access support over the phone, you can call:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/)
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
Rights of Women advice lines, there are a range of services available

We also have access to family law solicitors throughout the UK.

The Ultimate Guide to Hypnobirthing

The Ultimate Guide to Hypnobirthing
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You may have heard about Hypnobirthing, but what is it? As more and more expectant mums are finding local Hypnobirthing classes throughout the UK, you may be left wondering if Hypnobirthing is right for you? If Hypnobirthing actually works? and if it really help with those dreaded birthing pains? This article provides you with the Ultimate Guide to Hypnobirthing answering everything you want to know.

The Ultimate Guide to Hypnobirthing

 

In this article on MyBump2Baby we cover;

What is Hypnobirthing

How Does Hypnobirthing Work?

Does Hypnobirthing Relieve Pain?

What Are the Benefits of Hypnobirthing?

Is Hypnobirthing Safe?

How Can I Learn About Hypnobirthing?

When Should I Start Hypnobirthing Training?

Finding your local Hypnobirthing class

What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is a great way to give pregnant women a positive view of birth. Attending regular hypnobirthing classes helps expectant mums and the belief that childbirth does not have to be painful. Hypnobirthing train expectant mums to use natural coping mechanisms to support them during birth. The aim is a shorter, more comfortable, easier labour, with less need for intervention and pain relief.

How Does Hypnobirthing Work?

The idea behind Hypnobirthing is that when you are completely relaxed, free from fear and tension, your uterus can work as nature intended, helping you give birth more easily. Your body can produce more endorphins which acts as a natural pain killer. According to obstetrician Dr Grant Dick-Read, fear and tension causes pains in approximately 95% of birthing women. He believes that by simply removing the ‘fear tension-pain syndrome of childbirth’ in women would reduce pain.

Hypnobirthing techniques include;

Breathing Techniques

Relaxation

Fear Elimination

Turning down the pain

Going with contractions

Does Hypnobirthing Relieve Pain?

Hypnobirthing cannot guarantee pain relief from childbirth. Hypnobirthing is not a drug – but it can help you have a more positive experience of childbirth by training your mind to be calm. Hypnobirthing aims to help women trust their body and be at one with the sensations of labour. The aim is to keep the women in control and not to let fear take over.

When women are fearful during labour this can reduce the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to essential organs. If blood and oxygen are restricted the muscles simply cannot work as well as they could before. This can make labour harder and longer.

What Are the Benefits of Hypnobirthing?

Some of the other benefits you get from hypnobirthing is that it can shorten the stages of labour and reduce the chance of postnatal depression. Hypnobirthing can give your baby a more calm and gentle birth experience.

Is Hypnobirthing Safe?

Hypnobirthing is completely safe. You will be aware of everything happening during labour you and hypnobirthing helps you be totally relaxed and in control. However, it is important to remember that hypnobirthing does not prevent complications from happening.

How Can I Learn About Hypnobirthing?

The MyBump2Baby pregnancy – pre-school directory is home to pregnancy classes throughout the UK, including hypnobirthing classes. You can find your local Hypnobirthing class by clicking here or searching in our main directory.

When Should I Start Hypnobirthing Training?

The ideal time to book a Hypnobirthing course is after your 20-week scan, but of course it also depends on the availability of the classes in your area.

Sessions usually last a couple of hours and can also include your partner.

 

We asked our MyBump2Baby mums for feedback on Hypnobirthing classes they attended….

Hypnobirthing Reviews

 

Tanya 28, Berkshire “ I have had one birth without hypnobirthing and one with and I cannot believe how much better I felt. I felt in complete control the second time around and the birth was so much better. I went to the course anxious because of my previous traumatic birth and finished my course feeling confident that I could do it. My birth story is beautiful and I recommend any pregnant woman to attend a local hypnobirthing class.

Eve 32, Lancashire “It has changed my view of birth for the better. The information provided, the setting of the class and the course in general was fantastic – I would recommend hypnobirthing to anything”

Clare 33, Newcastle “I recently attended Hypnobirthing with my husband and I found it totally empowering and informative. I would highly recommend Hypnobirthing to anybody looking to learn more about hypnobirthing.

Hannah 37 London “Me and my partner couldn’t recommend Hypnobirthing enough! Hypnobirthing helped my partner and I so much, we are no longer apprehensive about birth and are excited”

Bryony 26, Hertfordshire “We did a hypnobirthing course and it was the best decision we ever made! We learnt so much and it really made a huge difference to our second birth. We could not recommend this course enough. To any MyBump2Baby parents reading this, I strongly recommend booking in at your local hypnobirthing course.

Emma 33, Lancashire “Hypnobirthing honestly saved me lots of worrying, I have feared birth since childhood and I felt it was important I have a positive birth experience. I came on mybump2baby and found the best hypnobirthing course to suit me, I ended up having a water birth and the whole experience was just incredible. I strongly recommend finding a local hypnobirthing course to any expectant parents. It makes a massive difference and I felt in complete control through the whole experience.”

Is Laser Safe For New Mums?

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Motherhood is a challenging task as you have to go to the edge of a lot of trials, pain, joy, and more just to see your baby happily and healthily stepping onto this world to bring forth joy in your life, and your entire family.

Being a mother is a blessing because every woman at a certain stage desires to be and to enjoy the experience that comes along with being a mother. But during and after pregnancy, their unsightly hair is the big nuisance that every woman faces and is constantly annoyed about. Unwanted body hair is always seen as a burden and a hard to accept fact for most of the women. Especially when you are pregnant, your body is flooded with hormones such as higher levels of estrogens and androgens, which can cause hair to grow in places such as your belly, neck, face, breasts, and arms where it never appeared before, especially during the third trimester.

The good news is that such hair growth is common and the hair will fall off once you give birth to your little angel. Pregnancy hormones affect not only the growth of hair in some places but also changes the growth cycle of your hair. This will make the newly grown or the existing hair on your body look fuller and thicker than before. This is the reason and the time when most of the women desire for Laser hair removal treatment and other skin treatments to get rid of all the hair and skin issues. Laser treatment is a FDA-approved treatment successfully treating both men and women since the late 1990s. It is one of the famous cosmetic treatments known so far as it always proves to give satisfactory results. But since its invention, there are no studies or researches that have proven laser hair removal treatment to be unsafe for pregnant or new mums.

As a new mum, if you opt for laser treatment rather than the old hair removal methods such as plucking, shaving, and waxing, you will just have to book an appointment with the well-known, reputed and branded clinic such as Therapie Clinic, and wait for the treatment and its outcomes. As the clinic is equipped with FDA-approved technology and experienced doctors, dermatologists or cosmetologists, you can be confident that you are in safe hands. During pregnancy, you will also notice darkening of your skin and skin sensitivity because of increased blood flow and stretching of the skin. So, you need to identify and choose the right time to treat your sensitive skin with a laser. As there is no safety data available on treating pregnant or new mums with lasers, scientists and dermatologists advise women to wait until their delivery to wipe away all their unwanted body hair so that both the baby and the mother are safe.

After delivery, even if you are breast-feeding, the laser is found to be safe as long as it is not done in the areola or breast tissue. But again, it is your choice to look for and choose the right time so that the treatment is comfortable and perfectly safe to enjoy your lovely days as a new mum.

7 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

7 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
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MyBump2Baby is committed to supporting women through pregnancy. Everyone loves a massage, pregnant or not, but the important thing about having a massage while pregnant is that it relaxes you and your baby. Today we are sharing 7 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage.

Pregnancy massage is really effective, it can usually be done at any stage of your pregnancy. Be sure to check this with your massage therapist, some will not perform pregnancy massage during the first trimester of pregnancy. While it is similar to any massage you’d get at any stage in your life, pregnancy massage focuses on ensuring that mother and baby are comfortable and happy. 

7 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

 

Here are some of the benefits of pregnancy massage;

Pain Relief in problem areas

Pregnancy massage can help to reduce pain in certain areas of the body. During pregnancy, it is common for women to experience back pain, due to carrying the weight of the unborn baby. By attending a pregnancy massage, your massage therapist can ensure that they focus on these problem areas to [provide you with maximum comfort. They may be able to teach you some massage techniques to take home for your partner to perform on you, should the pain continue. 

Stress Relief

We know how stressful being pregnant can be, we all want things to be perfect, sometimes they’re not and that’s OK. Having regular massages while pregnant means that you allow your body specific time to relax, this will be good for your mind too. Being relaxed as a mum means that you’re more likely to have a relaxed baby, that won’t stop them kicking you though!

Increased Blood Circulation

We’ve all been there, or read about it, during pregnancy is it common for certain areas of the body to swell, including your ankles. Pregnancy massage will allow your blood to circulate more, which reduces swelling in the body. Swelling can be uncomfortable and it’s difficult to reduce swelling once it’s started, so why not treat yourself to a pregnancy massage and help reduce your chances in the first place? 

Eases Labour Pains

It has been reported that attending pregnancy massage has reduced labour pains in many women. Like we said earlier, you can ask your massage therapist to teach you massage techniques that your partner can perform on you at home, these can also be used when you go to hospital to have your baby. This will help your mind to relax, you can go to the happy place that you’ve experienced during the massages throughout your pregnancy. 

Improved Sleep

We all need sleep to help us feel refreshed and sleep can be difficult during pregnancy, due to certain positions being uncomfortable. Having pregnancy massages increases your relaxation levels, which allows your muscles to feel more relaxed, allowing you to sleep better at night. You will find a comfortable position to receive your massages in, which is likely to be on your side, you can then imitate this when it’s time to sleep. 

Decreased nausea and heartburn

Some women have reported previously that attending pregnancy massage has led to decreased nausea and heartburn, which can both be very much present throughout pregnancy. 

A new friend

While your massage therapist’s job is to teach you massage techniques and allow you to feel relaxed, they can also be someone to talk to, a friend. They will listen to you and if you have regular massages they will likely feel like a large part of your pregnancy journey by the end of it.

Pregnancy massage is highly effective and we would encourage women to participate in it, please ensure that you have checked with your midwife that it is safe to do beforehand.

Check out our directory to find pregnancy massage therapists near you. 

Your Ultimate Guide to Paternity Leave in the UK

Your Ultimate Guide to Paternity Leave in the UK
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MyBump2Baby recognises that pregnancy can be a stressful time and it’s often hard to know where you can find accurate information. That’s why we’ve brought you this Ultimate Guide to Paternity Leave in the UK. A lot of parents are unaware of their rights on paternity leave, so we hope that this quick read covers all of your questions. 

Your Ultimate Guide to Paternity Leave in the UK

Pregnancy is a milestone that both parents share. When this life event showers you both with radiance and a newfound sense of priority, it’s easy to drop things out of your life to focus on parenthood.

For a mum, this is the start of beautiful discoveries and sleepless nights of pondering. On the other hand, this is the moment for a dad to muster up his courage and work twice or even thrice as hard as before. When adult responsibilities pile in, and work doesn’t seem to stop, as a dad-to-be, you have one card to use to cherish such precious moments.

We’re talking about your right to paternity leave. But, how much do you know about this and are you eligible for one? Let’s find out.

Proof of Responsibility as the Father

In this societal dynamic, there is more than one way of being a child’s father. You have to be proven to be responsible for the child’s upbringing through the following options:

  • You are the biological father of the child.
  • Your partner is about to have a baby (for unmarried couples), adopting a baby or will be having a child through the process of surrogacy.

Checking for Eligibility from the Employer

After proving that you are bound to the responsibilities of parenthood, it’s now time to assess if you are legally bound by the law to be granted with paternity leave.

  • You are legally identified as an employee.
  • You worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks ending with the 15th week before your partner’s childbirth.

Notifying Your Employer

It is recommended that you take notes of the following and have them prepared in writing as a formal correspondence when informing your employer about your paternity leave.

  • Tell your employer when childbirth is anticipated.
  • Assess if you want a one-week or two-week paternity leave.
  • The starting date for your paternity leave.

To help you as well, notifying your employer about the intended paternity leave should happen before the 15th week from your baby is due.

Surrogacy, Adoption and Same-sex Parents

For this particular portion of this article, we’re going to delve further into the unconventional ways of being endowed with the responsibility of being a father.

  • Same-sex parents can still be granted paternity leave. One partner will apply for an adoption leave or maternity leave while the other partner tries for paternity leave.
  • If you’re having a baby through surrogacy, the other partner will apply for an adoption leave while the dad-to-be applies for paternity leave.

For those that will adopt a child, you can be granted with a paternity leave by noting these factors:

  • You have worked for the same employer for a minimum of 26 weeks before the end of the week when you have been notified that you’ve been matched with a child (adoption within the UK).
  • You have worked for the same employer for a minimum of 26 weeks before the end of the week just in time when the adopted child will enter the country (for overseas adoption.

Now that we’ve given you a quick guide for everything about paternity leaves, we hope that as a dad-to-be, you use this time to build life-long connections and moments with your family.

If you have any more questions about this topic, jot it down on the comments section below, and we’ll do our best to help!

Your Ultimate Guide to Maternity Leave in the UK

What New Mothers Think About the NHS Birth Experience
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At MyBump2Baby, we are committed to educating our readers in every way that we can. Sometimes reading about your maternity rights can be stressful, which is not something you want to endure during pregnancy. That’s why we’ve brought you an Ultimate Guide to Maternity Leave in the UK.

Your Ultimate Guide to Maternity Leave in the UK

Pregnancy affects a mum-to-be not only in her personal life but in many aspects as well. A miracle as such requires a sacrifice of gigantic proportions from a strong mum. She’ll have to eat twice as much; she’ll have to endure the sight of stretch marks, she’ll experience bodily constraints and more.

But, pregnancy is never a question of a woman’s capacity. All women are capable of rearing a child. However, a mum is beyond determined to the devotion of a lifetime. At this point, she needs to exercise final caution and love to herself and her baby.

As such, the government acknowledges the need for a mum-to-be in subjecting herself to maternity leave. If you are a first-time mum or are blessed again but forgot what a maternity leave constitutes, this guide is made for you.

Statutory Maternity Leave

A woman is entitled to a statutory maternity leave despite her employment length. As the law prescribes, she’s entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave but only 39 weeks are granted with maternity pay.

The earliest you can start on maternity leave is 11 weeks from your childbirth. However, if you gave birth earlier than intended, your maternity leave will begin after the first day of birth. Although you have the option of not completing the 52 weeks you are given, you are required to take at least two weeks of a break after you gave birth.

Ordinary Maternity Leave or Additional Maternity Leave

There are two varying aspects of maternity leave. First, you have the ordinary maternity leave and the other one, the additional maternity leave.

  • The Ordinary Maternity Leave consists of the first 26 weeks of your maternity leave. If you return to work within this period, you will go back to your original working arrangements.
  • The Additional Maternity Leave, on the other hand, occurs when you exceed the first 26 weeks of maternity leave before coming back to work. For this matter, you can go back to your work if it’s still available.

 

Rights On Your Maternity Leave

If you’re currently on your maternity leave, these are the rights you are entitled to.

  • You’re granted with paid holidays.
  • You’re protected from unfair dismissal.
  • You’re entitled to employment benefits (medical insurance, exclusive perks and
  • memberships, etc.)
  • You’re entitled to pension payments and rights during the period of your Statutory Maternity Pay.

Statutory Maternity Pay

While on maternity leave, you are entitled to maternity pay, and this is what the law identifies as the Statutory Maternity Pay. These are the conditions you must meet to be granted one:

  • Must work for the same employer for 26 weeks when you reach the 15th week of pregnancy before childbirth.
  • You must earn on average at least £120 each week.

 

Further Details About Statutory Maternity Leave and Maternity Pay

Since the computation of maternity pay involves taxes and percentages, we highly recommend that you consult with your human resource head for details and clarifications. They can also answer your queries and attend to organisational concerns if your employer doesn’t agree to your leave or doesn’t give you maternity pay.

As much as you need financial resources for the needs of your child, you must take a break and care for yourself as well. Every woman deserves to enjoy and cherish the moments of motherhood without any job woes.

When do you have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy

When do you have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy
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At MyBump2Baby, we are proud to be able to educate our readers on everything they need to know about pregnancy. This blog tells you when you need to have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy. Ultrasounds help to promote a healthy pregnancy and they offer parents the chance to discuss any issues and receive any advice they require. 

When do you have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy

When do you have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy

How many Ultrasound Scans do you have during Pregnancy

In England, using the NHS, a woman will have two ultrasound scans throughout their pregnancy. It is often in the first scan where the nurse will be able to estimate your baby’s due date. In the second scan, the nurse will check your baby for a number of physical conditions, these results will be available to you immediately. It’s also likely that you’ll be able to find out the gender of your baby, however this is not guaranteed. 

Ultrasound scans generally don’t take very long, between 20 minutes and 30 minutes and you are able to take someone into the hospital room with you. 

It is important to note that some women may experience more than two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy, your nurse will advise you best based on your health and other factors that may impact your pregnancy. 

When do you have Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy

The first scan tends to be performed between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy and the second scan is usually done between 18 and 21 weeks. 

Towards the end of your pregnancy, your midwife may encourage you to have another ultrasound scan to check the growth of your baby. If you’re having twins, this is more likely to happen too, as often twins do not share the nutrients from your food equally. 

An ultrasound scan can also be used to monitor the location of your placenta, this can help to ensure you have the best advice on how to give birth to your baby safely. 

If your nurse is concerned with any aspect of your health or your pregnancy, there’s a chance you may be invited for more regular ultrasound scans during your pregnancy. 

find your nearest ultrasound clinic

Private Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy

While it is possible to have ultrasound scans for free using the NHS, you can also pay to go private. Prices can vary drastically based on your location. 

If you decide to pay for private scans, you will likely have your first scan earlier than you would with the NHS. Your first scan would take place between 6 and 10 weeks, to determine if your baby is growing at the appropriate rate. 

What New Mothers Think About the NHS Birth Experience

You can generally have a private scan to determine your baby’s gender earlier than you could with the NHS. With private, it can be performed anytime after 16 weeks, however it is still not guaranteed that the nurse will be able to tell you this information. 

One interesting benefit of having a private ultrasound scan is that you can often have a 3D or 4D scan, which enables you to see your baby much more clearly. You may even be able to see them performing certain actions in real time. These private benefits come at a price however, check your local area to work out how much it’ll cost you. 

Before you settle on which scan you’re going to have, you must consider all of the options carefully, but remember that you’ll have people there to advise you the whole way through your pregnancy.

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