Week 24: The D Word

In this modern age, it seems us women can have it all, especially when it comes to having a family. On the surface, it seems we can. New laws mean mums-to-be can now legally take a year off, fathers get paternity leave and most workplaces offer flexible working - but have these changes really made a difference in the attitude of people in the workplace?

I think not and now Denise Van Outen has come out publicy saying she believes she was axed from the BBC's latest TV talent show with Andrew Lloyd Webber due to her being pregnant.

Not only has the gorgeous Denise been dropped but she's been replaced by a much younger presenter, Charlotte Church. As Denise proved at the recent Fashion For Relief show, she's still gorgeous and fit and able to work, saying "'I am not ill, I am just having a baby."

I too feel like I've been discriminated somewhat at work. On one hand, it seems I'm not allowed to be pregnant and if I complain of any pregnancy related illnesses or tiredness after working a 12 hour day, it's not really taken seriously. On the other hand, I was recently replaced for a stint on camera. Now I'm not fronting a huge BBC show, but just a few online videos, but it suddenly seemed that senior management thought a younger, more famous face should front the most recent video. My presenting has never been questioned before - in fact, that same senior management praised the videos I'd done in the past and suggested I do more, even given me more budget to do so.

I'd like to think they wanted a famous face and that was why I was dropped, however, the company I work for (as is the same for most companies) is run by men, for men and I feel they probably don't really like to consider pregnancy in the workplace. After all, I bet most of these senior men have wives who have never worked after their pregnancy. Some of us however need to - whether it's financial or emotional - and yet I don't think it's ever taken seriously. When I return to work next year, I know I will have been forgotten and will have to strive to make my mark once more. Yet, the job I'm doing at the moment - becoming a mum - is probably one of the most important in the world. I don't want anyone to pander to my needs, just to appreciagte what I'm going through now and support me in my return to work.

I'm hoping we get to see lots more of Denise once she's popped the baby out, but I fear that sexism and ageism is just to rife and she may find - as I will - her career having to suffer for her child. If men could have children, I feel the status quo would be oh so different!

Top Tip: Shopping for that ever growing bump

Thanks to the likes of Topshop and ASOS, there are nice maternity clothes out there, however, they are still few and far between. Most retailers seem to think that because you're pregnant, you don't care how you look and will be quite happy to wear bootleg jeans and tunic tops - bleurgh!

So, if like me, you still love clothes, follow my tip and just buy a size bigger! It doesn't work for trousers etc, but for dresses and tops, it's great. Look for either looser shapes (as opposed to anything fitted) or jersey material - New Look do great T-shirts and long sleeved tops that are so cheap and fit well over the bump. Oh, and leggings are a must - they go under dresses, baggy hoodies, long jumpers. They are the mainstay of my wardrobe, so will probably never want to look at a pair again once I've given birth, but for now they're a godsend.

The great thing about buying a size bigger is that after the birth, you can still wear these clothes without feeling dreadful that you're still in maternity clothes.

The two things that are definitely worth buying from a maternity range though are jeans and tights.

Discovering maternity tights was like a revelation - they're so much comfier than regular tights and shops like Topshop even do cool patterned ones. There are some great jean options out there but I do still struggle with the ugly elastic bit and the fact that I spend most of my time hoiking them up!

Got any top pregnancy fashion tips?! Let me know please!

Week 23: Frustrated! Stressed! This isn't fun

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks because I've been so busy at work. In fact, at a time when everyone is telling me to slow down, I'm actually working harder than ever. Yesterday I left the house at 6.30am and got home at 8.15pm. It's all very well my family and friends telling me to slow down and relax but that's not so easy when you're trying to prove yourself at work still.

There may be lots of rules and regulations that protect you in pregnancy but the reality is not so good. Yes, you're legally entitled to time off for your ante natal appointments etc but the reality is that taking time off for the appointments means you end up working later another day just to get your work done.

 I've always been a career woman so it's very hard now at 36 to take my foot off the work pedal. I don't want people to see me as a lame pregnant woman, unable to pull their weight, but equally I don't want to harm my baby boy or myself.

The end result is that my poor hubby gets it in the neck! By Friday night, I am so exhausted after my working week that I end up tired, frustrated and crying. The other week I was a total cliched pregnant woman and had a strop for no reason at all, throwing empty boxes around the house and blubbing like a total hormonal fool!

So, I think unfortunately it might be time to start that slow down and stop working silly hours and start getting a couple of early nights a week. I've just got to believe in my worth at work and not worry about whether I'm letting people down, after all, I'm now embarking on probably the most important job I've ever done - being a mum!