Ok so if you or someone you know has just found out they are pregnant here are some tips / facts / links and info that they need to know about all in one place. I have written this as apparently January is THE month to get a positive pregnancy test after all the Christmas celebrations.... :wink:
As soon pregnancy is confirmed, join the Boots parenting club HERE This gets you 10 x advantage card points on baby and maternity purchases until the baby reaches age 3 and they send you offers tailored to each stage of pregnancy and baby age such as FREE folic acid and vitamin D tablets, money off clothing and 25% off Mum to be products.
Sign up to Emma's diary HERE You get £200 money off vouchers for Argos, photo book offers and 3 bags full of samples and vouchers tailored to each stage of your pregnancy. Some people have suggested setting up a different email address for this and other freebies to avoid junk emails in your main email account.
You are now entitled to FREE prescriptions from now until the baby is 1 - Ask your midwife for form FW8 which gives the exemption INFO HERE
You are now entitled to FREE NHS dental treatment. Ask your midwife for form MATB this covers you until the baby is 1 INFO HERE
Join the Mothercare club and get 10% off carseats, 20% off maternity clothes, £10 off a £100 spend, £5 off a £50 spend on footwear and clothing, 20% off toys for your childs birthday and tips, milestones personalised to you child MORE INFO
You may be eligible for a £500 Sure Start maternity grant to help with the cost of a new baby. Only available if it is your first baby or you are expecting a multiple pregnancy and if you are on certain benefits and the payment will not affect your benefits. Check you eligibilty HERE
You could also qualify for Healthy Start vouchers which is £3.10 a week in pregnancy towards, fruit, veg and milk - if you are on income support, child tax credit you could qualify CHECK HERE
Check your maternity rights and look at your SMP pay projections by putting your dates and wages in the calculator. You are entitled to paid time off for antenantal appoinments and while you are off on maternity leave you also accrue holidays and are also eligible for pay rises that other employees are getting. HERE
Don't forget the Dads! Check out what he is entitled to paternity pay wise and they are also entitled to attend 2 maternity appointments as well HERE
Childcare vouchers are also a great way to save money on childcare. As soon as the baby is born, either parent or both parents can pay up to £55 a week in through their wages and you will not pay tax or NI on this so if one parent pays in the maximum of £243 a month (£55 a week) over the course of the year you will save £933 or if you both pay in you could save £1866 a year. They are deducted through salary sacrifice through your employer and can be used for any registered childcare provider or holiday club up until the child reaches 16. More info HERE
You are going to go through an AWFUL lot of nappies be it disposable or reususable - you will go through loads. Whichever method you choose you can get free samples of Aldi nappies and baby wipes to try through NetMums using this link HERE
We went down this route, having a kid to get all the free stuff on offer, but believe me, not worth it, biggest money pit I ever, 6 years later I have never had a proper nights sleep or a relaxing holiday and reduced to a barely functioning alcoholic. Oh, how I curse these deals..... :disappointed::disappointed:
Ncos
24 Jan 1711#102
1. I second ignoring most advice people choose to give you before giving birth. Listen and take it in but follow your own baby. Yours will have TOTALLY different needs and habits to anyone else. What works for someone else will not neccassarily work for you.
2. You will be a first time mum/dad snob ie only buying brand new items, branded goods etc. But once in a while try other own brand things like nappies etc. You may find some are just as good but without the price tag.
3. You don't need a top and tail containter - or a baby bath. The real thing will do.
4. You don't need the full 'travel system' when it comes to buying buggies etc. A buggy and maybe a carry cot but that's it.
5. Baby Jogger City Mini - best buggy I have ever owned. You can fold and open with one hand.
6. Your relationship will be last of all priorities. Ride it through - it does get better once you all find your own routine. Sleep deprivation is a killer but hang on in there.
7. NCT is worth doing and was invaluable for the first year for me, there were 8 of us with the same thing in common and helped each other out all the time.
8. If something doesn't 'feel' right then go with your instinct and see your doctor. Don't wait or ask other people for their opinon.
9. Organise yourself and your home as much as you can before getting heavily pregnant - by 7 months I found it very difficult to walk any more than 10 mins anywhere. I pictured my month of maternity leave that I would be out buying things and doing lots of different things, I couldn't even walk to the bathroom!
10. Gap newborn/1st year elasticated/stretchy socks were the only ones that EVER stayed ON.
There are so many more things, just thinking at the top of my head, not sure if it helps.
Have a wonderful and very happy journey to those wishing to conceive or are already pregnant.
pink_elephant
24 Jan 174#59
The best thing I did to save money was ditch Huggies & Pampers and bought Aldi's Mamia range of nappies and wipes. I was a "nappy snob" when I had my 1st child and wouldn't buy anything but Huggies but when I was pregnant with my 2nd we had to tighten the purse strings so I started using Aldi's own & I've never bought Huggies since. My little one has just gone 2 and we've saved a fortune! They last so much longer & I really can't fault them!
All comments (134)
kara1987
23 Jan 172#1
I am completely new to all of this, so it couldn't have come at a better time! Thank you :smiley:
kesi10032003
23 Jan 17#2
fantastic just what I need for my friend who expects her first baby
thank you thank you thank you
Also TAMBA club if you have a multiple pregnancy like me! Twins!
K0YS
23 Jan 173#6
Surely this should be in misc
M0nk3h
23 Jan 173#7
Now if only I could get pregnant :disappointed:
amzzzzyyyy to M0nk3h
23 Jan 173#9
Have pregnacare conception tablets for some months and check when you are mostly ovulated ( there is a calender online for this you type last period etc) good luck
jellybeans12 to M0nk3h
23 Jan 17#25
Speak to your doctor if you've been trying for a year or thereabouts, so they can start ball rolling for any investigations that may be necessary
All the very, very best
Caroline_1993 to M0nk3h
23 Jan 17#33
Try seven seas trying for a baby, cant recommend these highly enough. One tablet a day.
taker920
23 Jan 174#8
Best info I was given - don't buy the things everyone else tells you that you need, work it out for yourself as every baby is different
Roofi
23 Jan 172#10
And the most important of all the things, please do not stop taking folic acid till your delivery. Better to take pregnacare because it has all you need during your pregnancy.
Good luck.
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Opening post
As soon pregnancy is confirmed, join the Boots parenting club HERE This gets you 10 x advantage card points on baby and maternity purchases until the baby reaches age 3 and they send you offers tailored to each stage of pregnancy and baby age such as FREE folic acid and vitamin D tablets, money off clothing and 25% off Mum to be products.
Sign up to Emma's diary HERE You get £200 money off vouchers for Argos, photo book offers and 3 bags full of samples and vouchers tailored to each stage of your pregnancy. Some people have suggested setting up a different email address for this and other freebies to avoid junk emails in your main email account.
You are now entitled to FREE prescriptions from now until the baby is 1 - Ask your midwife for form FW8 which gives the exemption INFO HERE
You are now entitled to FREE NHS dental treatment. Ask your midwife for form MATB this covers you until the baby is 1 INFO HERE
Join the Mothercare club and get 10% off carseats, 20% off maternity clothes, £10 off a £100 spend, £5 off a £50 spend on footwear and clothing, 20% off toys for your childs birthday and tips, milestones personalised to you child MORE INFO
You may be eligible for a £500 Sure Start maternity grant to help with the cost of a new baby. Only available if it is your first baby or you are expecting a multiple pregnancy and if you are on certain benefits and the payment will not affect your benefits. Check you eligibilty HERE
You could also qualify for Healthy Start vouchers which is £3.10 a week in pregnancy towards, fruit, veg and milk - if you are on income support, child tax credit you could qualify CHECK HERE
Check your maternity rights and look at your SMP pay projections by putting your dates and wages in the calculator. You are entitled to paid time off for antenantal appoinments and while you are off on maternity leave you also accrue holidays and are also eligible for pay rises that other employees are getting. HERE
Don't forget the Dads! Check out what he is entitled to paternity pay wise and they are also entitled to attend 2 maternity appointments as well HERE
Childcare vouchers are also a great way to save money on childcare. As soon as the baby is born, either parent or both parents can pay up to £55 a week in through their wages and you will not pay tax or NI on this so if one parent pays in the maximum of £243 a month (£55 a week) over the course of the year you will save £933 or if you both pay in you could save £1866 a year. They are deducted through salary sacrifice through your employer and can be used for any registered childcare provider or holiday club up until the child reaches 16. More info HERE
You are going to go through an AWFUL lot of nappies be it disposable or reususable - you will go through loads. Whichever method you choose you can get free samples of Aldi nappies and baby wipes to try through NetMums using this link HERE
Top comments
2. You will be a first time mum/dad snob ie only buying brand new items, branded goods etc. But once in a while try other own brand things like nappies etc. You may find some are just as good but without the price tag.
3. You don't need a top and tail containter - or a baby bath. The real thing will do.
4. You don't need the full 'travel system' when it comes to buying buggies etc. A buggy and maybe a carry cot but that's it.
5. Baby Jogger City Mini - best buggy I have ever owned. You can fold and open with one hand.
6. Your relationship will be last of all priorities. Ride it through - it does get better once you all find your own routine. Sleep deprivation is a killer but hang on in there.
7. NCT is worth doing and was invaluable for the first year for me, there were 8 of us with the same thing in common and helped each other out all the time.
8. If something doesn't 'feel' right then go with your instinct and see your doctor. Don't wait or ask other people for their opinon.
9. Organise yourself and your home as much as you can before getting heavily pregnant - by 7 months I found it very difficult to walk any more than 10 mins anywhere. I pictured my month of maternity leave that I would be out buying things and doing lots of different things, I couldn't even walk to the bathroom!
10. Gap newborn/1st year elasticated/stretchy socks were the only ones that EVER stayed ON.
There are so many more things, just thinking at the top of my head, not sure if it helps.
Have a wonderful and very happy journey to those wishing to conceive or are already pregnant.
All comments (134)
thank you thank you thank you
All the very, very best
Good luck.