How late did you work?

[nolly3]

Hi all, I'm wondering if it's complete insanity for me to schedule lectures for me to deliver at weeks 36 and 37.... I'm Course director so it's my call- but don't want to leave colleagues in the lurch. It's a research methods course so here are other people who could over it if need be, but I don't want to dump on junior colleagues on temporary contracts. Thoughts?

[Bountybarsyuk]

I don't think it's insanity, but pregnancies can go a multitude of ways. I worked up to 2/3 weeks beforehand first time around, and was still mobile and traveling on the Tube, but second time around my stomach muscles were pulled out and I was cumbersome and finding it hard from about 7 months. I would schedule yourself in and have a back up plan. I wouldn't mind teaching a few sessions for a pregnant colleague at the last min, but it might depend on the quantity.

[Closetlibrarian]

I lecturered up to about 36/37 weeks with DC1. It was fine, but every pregnancy is different. Just have a solid back up planned (sounds like you do already)

[geekaMaxima]

I went to a conference and gave a talk at 37 weeks. No problems, but I was still finding it easy to move around etc. at that stage. Every pregnancy is different, though.

You could schedule the lectures but have potential backup lecturers warned well in advance in case you can't deliver them. I wouldn't mind covering for a pregnant colleague who had to cancel lectures, but I would be a lot happier about it if I knew weeks in advance that it might be a possibility.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Not an academic but worked in environments giving talks to large groups of staff and students. I worked till 38 weeks with dses1 and 2, and 36 weeks with ds3, but only because it was the start of holidays. Good job as ds3 arrived 3 days after I finished.

[LuchiMangsho]

I worked up till 38 weeks (end of term) and had a c section booked for 39. I was looking for a blissful week of doing nothing.
Guess who went into labour 36 hours later?!

I did have back up ready though in case I went into labour.

[LuchiMangsho]

And oh, the last 3 weeks I had to frequently lecture sitting down, lots of toilet breaks, and eat in front of the students. They were fine with it.

[nolly3]

Great, thanks all- very reassuring. I was a bit worried about freaking the students out but I guess they'll cope.

Booked in for week 36 so hopefully will be ok. Fingers crossed the 2 hour commute doesn't set me off

[fluffikins]

I worked until due date, they wouldn't let me work beyond, but I did research at home until I actually had her (10 days late). I wish I'd used the time to sit and eat and watch to now though!

[nolly3]

Must admit fluff am secretly harbouring fantasies of a couple of weeks writing time. Still, I'll enjoy them while I can hang onto my delusions

[Closetlibrarian]

I found it almost impossible to get anything productive done, in terms of research or writing, past about 36 weeks. I just couldn't focus and found I had zero motivation. Strange, really, as you'd think the opposite would be the case.

[Libra]

Can you record your lectures? I did this for the last few weeks of semester because one of the weeks was a revision lecture, which would be difficult for another colleague to do.
I also did some online teaching from home so that I didn't have to keep commuting.

[nolly3]

closet struggling already tbh but not really motivation - just feel like I've had a lobotomy. Still, at least can get on with teaching slides

Good idea re recording, ta. Will look into it (cue sound of rioting teaching colleagues)

[Closetlibrarian]

Don't worry Libra, it comes back. I'm just returned to work after mat leave and my brain is on fire (in a good way)! I haven't felt this motivated and 'on it' in years...

[WhattodoSue]

For the first one, I worked till 36 weeks, and similarly after, I planned to get loads of papers done and had no motivation. For the second, into the second trimester I developed gestational diabetes, an iron deficiency and into my third trimester I have never been more utterly exhausted in my entire life. Luckily it was the summer at that point because I would have been incapable of doing the commute into work. It did get better once I got the GD and Iron deficiency under control, but I would plan NOT to do anything into the last 4 weeks personally. Or, as someone said, record your lecture. If it turns out you are fit and able and want to deliver it, then do. But if not, then you have left nobody in the lurch (you have a right to take your maternity leave anyway!).