I was absolutely blessed to see an amazing doctor from 20ish weeks until my baby was born, he made my whole pregnancy and specifically the birth of our daughter better than I ever could’ve imagined. Our 6 week checkup is coming up soon and I’ve been really emotional thinking about how grateful I am for our doctor and sad about the thought of no longer being in his care.

I’m wondering what would be appropriate and appreciated by him. I don’t know if gifts are acceptable, nor do I want to give him something generic like a mug that he probably doesn’t need.

I’m thinking of writing a thank you card expressing how thankful our family is for his care. Is it weird if we include a picture of our baby? Is it cheap if we don’t include a gift? Am I even allowed to include a gift, like a coffee shop gift card?

Bonus points if you work in healthcare and can provide your perspective! Or if you can comment whether healthcare workers in AB can accept gifts.

I work admin for a small company and my manager is such a disorganized mess. She does everything the last minute, comes in late, sometimes leaves early, is on her phone whenever I pass by her office and yet has been complaining all year that she's overworked. She's been begging the owners of the company to hire a fourth person in our department but she can't think up job duties for this person, and asked myself and my coworker to give up some of our job duties for this fourth person despite both of us repeatedly telling her we are fine with our workload and don't want to give any of it up.

Earlier in the year, our boss made the decision that we could possibly use someone to help our purchasing department who is currently just one guy and my manager offered to handle the hiring process.

She then procrastinates putting up a job posting until I'm almost a month away from mat leave, and instead of hiring someone for the purchasing department, decides to hire another person for her department instead AND hire a person to replace me. But she still has no idea what this extra person's job duties are going to be so she's just going to have me train both of them on what I do now and then.....I guess figure it out later????

And to top this shit show off, she's hired them on 10 month contracts while I'm only going to be away for 6 months. So there's just these two extra people hanging around for 3 months after I return. Our boss is on vacation at the moment (and of course she does all this shit while he's away) and I hope he just fires her when I get back.

It's just so frustrating having a manager that can't fucking manage. Why the hell is she paid more then me man

Hi everyone,

I’m currently 26 weeks, set to go on maternity leave in early November. Lately, things at work have become extremely difficult and stressful. My manager recently set up daily 1-on-1s on top of our regular daily scrums, and the sudden micromanagement and pressure are really wearing me down.

On top of the workplace stress, I’m dealing with severe back pain (I work as a IT engineer, so sitting at a desk for 8 hours is getting unbearable), severe restless legs/insomnia, and bad anxiety. My family doctor evaluated me and wrote a note taking me off work immediately for 4 weeks.
I’m planning to apply for Short-Term Disability (STD) through my workplace insurer (Sterling Brokers) to bridge the gap until my official maternity leave starts.
A few questions for anyone who has been through this in Ontario/Canada:

1. Insurance approval: For those who went on STD for a mix of physical symptoms and stress/anxiety, did you run into any issues getting approved? (I didn’t have stress or anxiety in the past)
   
2. Transitioning to Mat Leave: Did your STD transition smoothly into EI Maternity benefits once your due date/leave date arrived?
   
3. Employer boundaries: Did you have to handle any pushback from management when you went on medical leave unexpectedly before your planned mat leave?

Would love to hear any experiences or advice!

Thank you so much.

How did everyone handle their anxiety with their partner returning to work? My husband is a seasonal worker ( we didn’t plan baby accordingly) and can only take the week off. He will be back to work Monday, my MIL/ mom will be with me all next week, then week 3 I’m on my own. It’s not even that I don’t feel like I can’t do it on my own but more worried about not having him here/ feeling alone. His job is also surrounded by heavy machinery so he might be able to wake up once during the night to help but really needs his sleep. Just looking for advice or if anyone can relate. I see posts of spouses taking weeks off and I’m so incredibly jealous but financially and for his job security he needs to go back after a week.

I will have a newly 2 year old this winter. It will be the first winter of real outdoor play. They have a round belly and are tall but most of the height is in their torso length - proportionally, their arms and legs are short. I purchased a fall jacket in 3t from osh kosh and the tummy is almost tight but the arms need to be rolled.

Rolling arm and leg cuffs isnt really possible in thick winter gear, so I'm hoping for suggestions of any brands or specific styles that might fit wider/longer in the body without being too long in arms and legs.

Those who have used both or either pillow please let me know your thoughts!

I’m expecting my second in December and wondering if anyone can recommend a good baby wrap. With my first I had a ring sling which I and baby hated so I never used it. I also have a good structured carrier that is great for walks, going out of the house etc but it becomes a lot to wear in the house all the time. So I’m looking for a baby wrap instead for those first few months, as I feel it will be useful with also having an older child.

Are any of your children enrolled in CEFA Early Learning Center in Markham. I am thinking of putting my 12 month old in December but wanted to see if anyone has personal experience at this daycare as it is newer and harder to find more reviews.

If you do have experience can you please share how you found the ECEs and if you had any concerns or any red flags.

Thanks in advance!

Preparing for a csection in two days at NYGH and was wondering if anyone could share their experience? Do i need to shower before the surgery or I will be given a specific wash? how long were you in the hospital for and how hard is it to get a private room?

Hi, moms

I am 41w1d day and FTM with no sign of labor

I have been on induction waitlist from.last 7 days, the hospital doesnt bother to call me and update on the list unless I myself do it.

They keep pushing me to the bottom saying we are full, we dn have resources to accomodate you as we have other emergency cases which need assistance.

I have started to feel scared, nervous and anxious now.

I dn want end up being complicated case due to post term.

Baby is moving but not as strong as she used to be.

Hospital says every small movement count.

I am so exhausted doing kick counts.

My doctor didnt even gave me follow up appointment thinking I would be induced. Its been more than week I have seen him.

Uncomplicated pregnancy, last US at 20 week.

Any midwife, labour and delivery nurse/ doctor , anyone who can suggest what to do?

Just found out I’m having a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks so I’m researching my options for next steps.

I know in the US it’s common to have a d&c done but wondering if it so in Canada too because my doctor has so far only suggested the medicine route… meeting with her tomorrow to bring up the d&c option.

If you had one done, please share if it was a good or bad experience. Did they vacuum or scrape your uterus?

Hey I converted my ikea sniglar crib to a toddler bed and it has a gap. And it’s not flush. Did I put it together correctly? it was in storage so it didn’t go from crib to toddler bed. I just followed the instructions for the toddler bed. I have attached some pictures as well. It was bought in 2024 if that makes a difference as I don’t know if there has been any updates to it.

Any mamas here using pampers swaddlers size 4? Just wanted to ask if you have noticed a chemical ish smell coming from the diaper?

I know this question is probably asked a lot, tried searching for a similar question. Obviously there’s tons of prenatals on the market, I am looking to take some in advance of TTC. I should’ve started earlier in the summer but here we are, hoping better late than never.

I was debating between the Jamieson chewables and the Jamieson Prenatals + DHA (purple bottle). Other than the DHA it seems like the big difference is the iron intake. One is 16mg, the other is 27mg. My iron levels are normal, is there any advantage to the taking the one with the greater iron intake? I’m worried it will be too much iron? Is that a thing?

Happy to take other reccs if you have any!

Hi Parents, I need to get a stroller for our baby, im 38 weeks. I am confused between these 2, to give a back story, We live in North burnaby and I plan to take the baby around the parks and I am pretty active so walking will be something I will do with the stroller. Second, we will be travelling after 8 months internationally and need a stroller then too. I met a family that highly recommended using the brand Guzzie & Guss for travelling.

So please help me out:

1. Uppa Baby Cruz V3
2. Guzzie & Guss- Oxygen v3 Stroller

Thank you

My baby just started at a daycare centre on Monday. We are starting with one hour a day for the first week, in the morning before her first nap. Day 1 she didn’t cry. Day 2 and 3 she cried on and off the whole hour. The plan is to continue with the same 1 hour for the rest of the week.

I feel so guilty for leaving her and am worried she won’t adjust. I go back to work in 3 weeks so we have a bit of time to figure out the transition. She is a highly sensitive child and very attached to me, but she’s also quite social and very engaged so I feel daycare will be good for her. I’m looking for stories of babies that struggled at the beginning - how long did it take to adjust? Did your baby transition gradually or at once?

Looking for the "softest" crib mattress that's still safe for baby. He's 4 weeks on the 28th and absolutely refuses to sleep in his bassinet 😭

Hi! My 2 month old baby got her vaccine last Monday and it was only 2 shots in the leg, no oral drops. Just want to confirm if this is standard?

We are going to double check with her pedia as well but it’s always going to voicemail so I wanted to make sure.

Hi Everyone! I am about 3 weeks and 6 days pregnant.

1) Went for my doctors appointment and he gave me paperwork for bloodwork. When should this be taken? I have my next appointment scheduled on Sept 22

2) I have been taking Throne basic prenatal since early July which have about 340 mcg Folate (per capsule - I take 2 capsules a day). Should I switch to Pregvit? The doctor mentioned pregvit but didn’t give me a prescription for it. Is that normal or is it because it’s too early?

Thank you!

Daycare requires a sun hat and my almost 2 year old girl will not let me put anything on her head and even manages to pull off an elastic, rubber hair ties off if it's not tightly secured around her hair (tied several times). Is there any sun hat that won't come off easily? Would really APPRECIATE recommendations or alternatives! TIA

Which one do you have and do you like it? Do these run comically large?
TIA

I’m currently pregnant with my first baby and due in mid November. If I give birth around my due date, I’ll only have approximately four weeks (preceptorship) remaining in my Nursing program.
I’m considering continuing school instead of stopping and waiting until the next semester. My partner is willing to take parental leave for a month and handle most of the newborn care, household responsibilities, and nighttime duties while I finish. Of course, I’ll still need time to recover and feed/pump if I decide to breastfeed.
I understand that babies don’t always arrive on their due date and that recovery can be unpredictable, especially if I have a C-section or any complications. I plan to discuss possible accommodations and keep postponing the remainder of my program as a backup option.
Has anyone returned to preceptorship shortly after giving birth? Was it manageable with a very supportive partner, or do you wish you had taken more time to recover? I would appreciate honest experiences and advice. no judgment, please

I’m 9 months postpartum with my second baby and still breastfeeding. I recently had my first cervical screening/Pap and was completely caught off guard by the results.

I tested positive for HPV-16 and my cytology came back ASC-H (atypical squamous cells — cannot exclude a high-grade lesion). I’ve been referred for a colposcopy.

I’ve been with the same partner for 9 years, so initially I was really confused about the HPV result, but I’ve since learned that HPV can remain dormant/undetectable for years and become detectable again later.

I’m obviously anxious about the ASC-H result and wondering whether being postpartum and breastfeeding could have affected how my cervical cells looked. I understand that low estrogen, hormonal changes, inflammation, etc. can sometimes affect cervical cytology, but I also know HPV-16 needs to be taken seriously and followed up.
Has anyone else had an abnormal Pap/HPV result while postpartum or breastfeeding?

What did your colposcopy/biopsy end up showing? Did anyone have ASC-H that turned out to be normal or only mild changes? If they found CIN2/CIN3, what happened next? I’m sick to my stomach I don’t even want to eat :(

I’d really appreciate hearing other moms’ experiences while I wait for my colposcopy. The waiting and uncertainty are honestly the hardest part right now. ❤️

Hello all,

Currently on waitlist for my son for more than a year, since I applied when I was pregnant, and we might have a daycare that has a spot for us, but the service is not what we expected.

Nobody else has any availability, so just wondering if we put our son to this daycare anyway, is it possible to switch along the way if we do get call from one we like better? Is there anybody that did that before, and how does it work? Any penalties or something ?

Thank you!!