to tell my boss I'm happy to work until 38 + 2?

[wonderingifiam2013]

Even though I can't guarantee I'll be ok/not given birth by then?

I worked up to 37 weeks last time and I was working full-time with a 80+ mile round commute.

This time, I'm part-time and most likely having an ELCS.

From what I gather most finish for maternity leave between 36 & 38 weeks so I'm guessing I'm not being unreasonable?

[MediumOrchid]

Not unreasonable at all, I'd just warn them that obviously babies can come at any time so you can't guarantee anything. I worked up to 38 weeks, which was fine.

[arethereanyleftatall]

You re allowed to work right up till your due date. I worked till the Friday when dd2 was due the Sunday.

[helloella]

Not unreasonable at all.

[justmyview]

Just bear in mind that your maternity leave has to start when the baby is born. I planned to work until quite late on, then use up some holiday, so that my mat leave would start as late as possible (so I could stay off work longer with the baby). DD was born early, while I was "on holiday", but her birth triggered my mat leave starting so I lost the rest of my holidays .

[MrsMangoBiscuit]

I'm doing exactly what justmyview has said. However, if DD arrives early and I have to start my mat leave early, my annual leave will be carried over to the other end, so I don't lose out.

[nancerama]

I worked right up until 39 weeks. Just as well really as DS was 3 weeks late. I would have been bored shitless if I'd been at home a day longer.

[dontyouknow]

I worked until 37 weeks both times - would have left later but was feeling really uncomfortable as I was huge both times and the commute was a faff. Both were a week late and the four weeks at home seemed very long.

This time I took 3 weeks holiday after I left so I technically was working until my due date.

[JethroTull]

I planned to work up to 38 weeks but finished last week because I got shingles. I was exhausted & run down so felt like I needed to stop work. It's still not really sunk in! I think your body will tell you if you need to stop beforehand.

[spg1983]

I started mat leave at 39+4, and dd arrived at 39+5! That was unexpected...!

[spg1983]

Well, obviously I knew a baby would arrive at some point but my midwife was convinced I'd give birth really late and need inducing. Just thought I'd clarify!

[Beamur]

I worked until I was 38 weeks too and then DD was 2 weeks late.

[bigwellylittlewelly]

I worked until 38+2 and DD2 born by planned CS at 39+3.

It was a terrible idea, without a doubt I needed time to rest beforehand not be running around like a headless chicken.

[scrivette]

I worked until 38 weeks and DS was born 2 days later. Maternity leave then started and so annual leave was carried over.

The midwife was horrified that I was still working though, especially as I had a ten minute walk at each end of an hours train journey. Kept me for though and I would do it again.

[monicalewinski]

I worked up until the Friday of the week before my due date, too. I'm pretty sure that's still the law as to when you are entitled to work up to.

[enjoyingscience]

I worked until 38+ a couple of days last time, and DS was 2 days late. Any later and I would have gone stir crazy! I felt absolutely fine though, and my colleagues were very good at bringing me cake tea.

This time, I'll be off for ages (finishing at Christmas, due mid January), so I get the christmas holidays as company holiday, then a week or so of leave, then mat leave. Having DS to keep me busy will help the time go quicker I reckon.

[MrsGarlic]

YANBU, absolutely your choice.

Bear in mind though that it's not all or nothing. I finished for mat leave fairly early but before that was working 4-day weeks using up my annual leave. I had Wednesdays off, and it was really good as I was never working more than 2 days in a row. With hindsight I could have stayed longer at work due to the shorter weeks, but went off a bit earlier as I had so much leave to take plus it was Christmas/NY.

[MrsGarlic]

I apologise for not reading the thread properly, I see you are already PT. hangs head in shame

[StinkyElfCheese]

I worked till 38+4 with DTS- I had a planned C-section the next day I felt well and had none of the pregnancy symptoms I had with DD... I was organised, just HUGE..

[SeaSickSal]

I worked to 37+6 and had my baby bang on 38 which was due to be my last day. It was brilliant because I got the max maternity leave with my baby.

Go for it. If you go into labour it's not like they can tell you that you can't have the time off.

[badguider]

I worked to 38+1 but had everything ready to handover/drop at a moments notice from 37wks.
Labour at 39+2 so glad I didn't leave it any later. I was expecting a 41+ wk baby.

[MortifiedAdams]

I wrote in my letter "I intend to work up until I am exactly 38 weeks, however should my Midwife or indeed the baby indicate that I need to finish earlier, I must prioritise the health of my unborn baby. I will, of course, give as much notice as is reasonably possible of any change in this date"

Bosses seemed happy with that.

[NightmareWalking]

I always said I'd work until 39 wks as first babies are always late, right? Then missed my last week of work when she arrived at 38 wks. No one minded though (not that I would have cared f they had!). Babies come when they like regardless of plans, work or otherwise.

[ILiveInAPineappleCoveredInSnow]

I am planning on working until 39+2. My ds was induced and dragged out 11 days late, and this one will be a section sometime from 39+2 onwards!

I'm going to be shattered but I'd rather have the time off once the baby is born.

Don't think you are mad at all!

[OnTheBottomWithAWomensWeekly]

I worked until 40+1 the last time I was working + pregnant. DC was born 2 days later.

[Talkinpeace]

I worked till 38 weeks with DC1 - and then went back in to help with some stuff at 39+3
I knew baby would be late (maternal family history)
with DC2 I did not even pack a bag till 41 weeks and was designated driver (so DH could drink) at a distant family do 11 days overdue

you know your family history and your body