Finishing work at 25 weeks WWYD

[contractor6]

Hello, name changed as lots of details which will out me to anyone I know.
I am a contractor, never had issue with contracts being renewed in the past and in current contract which ends the 29th may, was told a few weeks back it would be renewed until end of July. Am due end of September, but thought was probably a good idea as don't want to be commuting on tube in august if very hot. Yesterday I got told I wasn't being renewed. And contract would finish next week. I will be 25 weeks, so potentially able to work another three months.
I am undecided whether or not I should find another contract or take the time off. In this current contract I have been working 60+ hours a week and a number of weekends. So part of me feels a break before baby comes along would be nice, but the other part of me is scared that nesting and pottering about isn't going to be mentally stimulating enough.
I have written a to do list of things which need doing and will keep me busy around the house and can take time to visit people
The money from getting another contract would be useful, but not necessary as have savings and bills covered for well over the time I planned to take of as maternity.
Has anyone else had this issue/experience, how did you find it?
Thanks

[BreeVDKamp]

Yes I lost my job around 25 weeks in Feb. It's been OK, like you I wrote myself huge to-do lists and also took the opportunity to market and sell our flat, so that was handy.
Did lots of exercise, craft projects, cooking, reading, napping, things around the home, saw friends, all the little things you never get round to doing/would like to do more of.

I've only really got bored the last couple of weeks, think mainly because I'm overdue and have completed most of the things on my lists.

Everyone says I'll be glad I had all that downtime once the baby is here!

[BreeVDKamp]

Also I never had the meeting instinct however flat had to be clean for viewings so I had to clean anyway

[YouMakeMyHeartSmile]

I stopped working at 24 weeks last time as we moved back from abroad and there was little point finding a new job here. Know DD is 18 months I'm so glad I did as it's the last break I had and I remember it fondly! Honestly it was lovely, I got everything ready, read lots of books (haven't read one since despite it being my favourite thing to do), walked a lot, slept, batch cooked, went to museums... Bliss.

[YouMakeMyHeartSmile]

Oh and I'm 33 weeks pregnant with an 18 month old now so no chance of even a day 'off' before this baby comes!

[contractor6]

Thanks both, it's always good to know someone has been in same situation and not gone stir crazy
Bree sorry you lost your job too, hope baby arrives soon.

[nutelladipper]

I was made redundant last week at 25 weeks. I plan on chilling, getting jobs done, visiting friends on days my 2 other DC are in nursery and obviously running around after them on the other two days! X

[BasinHaircut]

If you can afford it then take it. Its going to be the last time for many years that you can do something so indulgent as spend 3-4 months just doing what you want.

Just make the most of it. I left work at 33 weeks but DS was a bit early so I got almost 5 weeks off before he came along and it was BLISS.

Kept busy doing things like decorating and furnishing the baby's room, getting bag packed (and unpacked, and packed again), watched loads of box sets, read lots, cooked and packed the freezer (which was a godsend) all at own pace and with my own agenda.

I'm so glad I didn't work right up to the birth as I just wouldn't have felt prepared. If I could do it again, I'd finish work sooner.

[BasinHaircut]

Oh and I wasn't worried about meeting friends (who are mostly all at work anyway) or doing big outings. But I really enjoy my own company. O just wanted some time to forget about the world of work, look forward to baby coming and rest.

[Lunastarfish]

I finished work at 29 weeks due to my fixed term contract ending. 4 weeks in and I'm enjoying the time off and not missing London commuting.

[frangipani13]

Do it! As you live in London (I think?) There will be loads of great stuff to do you never would normally because of work- museums, galleries, parks, talks, etc. You could do yoga or hypno birthing as prep for the birth. Looks like I am about to lose my job and I'm nearly 22 weeks but they're going to try and make me work up until my mat leave would have started anyway... sorry to hijack but did any of you who lost jobs when pregnant a good settlement?

[Lunastarfish]

Frangpani

My role was a short term fixed term contract so there was no entitlement to a settlement. I'm an employment solicitor so pretty confident about that!

If you're made redundant and employed for 2 years you're entitled to redundancy pay. If you think you've been discriminated against because of pregnancy then you should see a solicitor asap.

[contractor6]

Hi frangipani. Yes I live in London.
Are you being made redundant? Agree with lunar you should speak to solicitor, unless of course you are getting a good payoff and hate your job?
Have already been meaning to go to pregnancy yoga, but been so tired after work or had to work late I've not got around to it
Museums are great idea, I can go after meeting up with working friends for lunch

[dashoflime]

I was sacked at 25 weeks. I was too depressed about it to want to do much- definately didnt feel emotionally up to looking for a new job.
I had an older child so just busied myself in toddler groups. For me, the break was probably a good idea as I wasnt in a good way.
Then I had a weird burst of energy about a month before the birth and started driving lessons and voluntary work. I think from a desperate need to prove to myself I wasnt useless and improve my employability.
Baby is now 2 months and Im still doing the voluntary work (I take her in with me), everyone there thinks Im a nutter for doing this and I am shattered!
No idea when or if Im returning to work properly. Money starts running low as of this month so we'll see how it goes.

[contractor6]

Dashoflime, that's horrid esp at an already emotional time! What volunteer work do you do?

[frangipani13]

Thanks for your replies. I have already spoken to a solicitor who's given me some good advice. I try to do pregnancy yoga from YouTube videos. It's no wonder you've been too tired doing 60 hr weeks!

[contractor6]

I have cut back this week, got to area I work in this morning at 8am and wandered around the (closed) shops for an hour! Am much more relaxed this morning and stroppy emails have been batted back or onwards.

[TheMagnificientFour]

I did that with dc2 because basically I had AND (but my GP didn't think it was appropriate to tell me. She just said to go on ML as soon as I could ).
It was probably a very good decision tbh. I got time to do the things I needed, time for myself to do some gentle exercise, I got to meet some mums that were at similar stage of my pg. All the things I never did with dc1 and really missed because I ended very isolated after the birth (I worked up to 38 weeks the first time round).

Tbh, it's likely that you will enjoy the novelty for the first 4~6 weeks and then when it starts to wear off, you will go into the more 'tired' phase of the pregnancy. I'm sure it will work out well if you really don't feel under pressure money wise.

[dashoflime]

Contractor6 It was totally gutting.
I think pregnancy hormones led me to mishandle an already difficult relationship with my manager, then of course as things got worse- my ability to manage my emotions just disappeared completely. The situation dragged on for bloody months as well!

I'm doing voluntary work in the same field I used to work in (welfare rights advice) and its helping me to rebuild my confidence.

[contractor6]

Magnificent - sorry to be dim, what is AND
Dashoflime- good for you rebuilding confidence.

Interestingly I don't think my line manager knows I am finishing, awkward situation but someone else can tell them.

[TheMagnificientFour]

AND: Ante Natal Depression

[contractor6]

Thanks magnificent - I didn't know you could get ante natel, thought pnd only

[ImpatiencePersonified]

Hey Contractor,

I work for a company who employs contractors and for what its worth; i would tell you to finish up now!

Not sure what industry you're in but I'm in I.T and the contractors I see are always left with the shitty jobs and hours - I guess its to do with the day rate, people want to feel they get value for money (blood from a stone rings true).

I think you've done v well to work up until 25 weeks at that pace and maybe now you should just settle yourself and your baby and get ready for the big change.

[Skiptonlass]

Honestly? I'd take the time.

You don't need to be throwing yourself into nesting if you're not a nester, but I'm sure there are little personal side projects you've always thought..."one day, I'll...."

Take the time to relax, prepare, take that language class you always wanted to do etc. Do what you want to do and what stimulates you mentally.

I'd love to finish up at 25 weeks, I'm plotting to get away from my hideously stressful job as early as I can.... :)

[contractor6]

Hi impatience, don't work in IT, but close - finance.
Skipton, you've inspired me to brush up my French, hope you get to escape work stress soon.

Thankyou to all, am feeling much more positive about situation, and counting down the days to my new found freedom. 6 working days to go!

[Eastpoint]

The V&A run great short courses - one morning a week, one day a week or at the weekend. Their website is really hard to navigate but there are photography workshops, might be good timing before you have your baby.