Maternity leave

[spiderbear]

Hi all, just need a bit of advice. Recently found out I'm pregnant with twins .. when I had my DS I started maternity when he was due - just used my hols for a few weeks off beforehand. This time I've been told it's hard to work past 26/28 weeks when pregnant with twins. Has this been the case for many of you? I only work 3 days and it's mainly sat down at my desk.. so not physically demanding but I would just like some advice from those who have been through it.
Thank you!

[Justanotherzombie]

I've a work from home desk job and work right to when my contractions start the last 3 time. It will depend on so much for you. Whether you have bad pelvic pain. Whether you have to commute and walk far from your transport to your desk. How sick you feel etc.

[spiderbear]

So was that with twins??

[Justanotherzombie]

Sorry meant to clarify, not with twins. But I know people who were very welland strong with twins and some who were physically taken out by them. If there is much walking and transit involved in getting to and from your desk, that might be the deciding factor.

[fastfrank]

Since you're asking for advice on twins: I had twins in August. I went on maternity leave at about 30 weeks as was struggling physically and my commute was quite long. I was planning to work as long as I could but it became uncomfortable. Someone else I know worked until 36 weeks with twins and had an even longer commute than me so it's not necessarily the same for everyone. I would see how you go, you can move your date if you start to feel weary as long as you give them enough notice.

Congratulations by the way, you're part of the best club in the world

[Lime19]

I'm 28 weeks with di di twins. I have good days and bad days. Today my hips are killing me. But that said I have a desk job and can work from home as much as I like. The commute is 10 minutes anyway.

My plan is to shorten my weeks by using holiday every week and likely be gone by week 33.

I'm feeling more tired for sure. At weekends I keep needing naps in the day. It's not everyday for sure but the tired days are becoming more frequent.

If I had an active job on my feet, I'd probably leave earlier. I went to the shops earlier this week and could only manage an hour before I needed to stop. I felt quite pathetic. Out of breath and full of aches. That night I had to have an early night because I'd fallen asleep on sofa at 5pm!

[BibiThree]

I planned to work to 35 weeks with dts, made it to 31 before excruciating back ache. They were born at 35 weeks.

[spiderbear]

Thanks guys.
I guess I'll just have to see how I get on. My work is only 10mins away and I can park right outside - so Atleast I don't have a long commute and not much walking to get there.
Im gonna aim for 35 weeks but I'm not definitely expecting that to happen! These babies do like to surprise you early sometimes- especially when there's two of them!

[fastfrank]

I had to be induced at 35 weeks which I obviously wasn't expecting so it's better to play it by ear really.

[Waterdropsdown]

I worked till exactly 32 weeks and was so happy with that choice. Last week or 2 especially getting to work was so hard. Also my sleep at night was so poor that I felt like falling asleep in my Chair at work. My consultant said they don’t recommend you to work beyond 33 weeks with twins. Mine were born 37&4 elcs.

[Bungleboggs]

I was due to go off at 31 weeks, went into labour at work at 30 weeks so I didn’t get any time at home before

[sourpatchkid]

My friend worked until 35 weeks until she went into labour. I believe early labour is very common for plan for that.

[spiderbear]

Oh right.. sounds like 35 weeks is wishful thinking!
It's good to actually hear from others who have already experienced it.

[MabelStable]

I worked until 33 weeks with my twins, it was a desk based role but a 45min drive and a 15minute walk from the car park. I probably could have managed another couple of weeks, but wanted some peace and quiet and the chance of an afternoon nap. I had a planned induction at 36 weeks

[neversleepagain]

With twins you will be the size of a term single pregnancy from around 28 weeks. Working when are measuring between 40-55 weeks is tough going and not like a singleton pregnancy. I finished work at 30 weeks and babies were born at 34 weeks. At 34 weeks I measured 52 weeks.

[namechangedtoday15]

Of course, people will base their answer on their own experience but I think it's also really unpredictable. You might be huge, knackered, fed up. You might carry them well, sleep well and take it all in your stride. Generally speaking, you'll be bigger than your 1st pregnancy and more knackered than people who had twins first because you already have a DS.

I had a long commute (1hr +) and planned to go on maternity leave at 34 weeks, but take 2 weeks leave before so I'd finish at 32 weeks.

As it turned out, I worked until 27+3, went into labour that night and they arrived 2 days later!! The best laid plans .....

[joleyn]

I worked til 34 weeks with my twins. I only work 2 days a week and mainly office based. I had them at 37 weeks. I was lucky that I had minimal problems but I was shattered by then. Good luck

[coffeeneeded]

I have Twins (now almost 2). I looked full term at 23 weeks and I couldn't really move after 28 weeks. They came out at 35 weeks.

It's bloody hard work- but (as pp have said) I know Twin mums who were much more able and carried their twins to 37-38 weeks.

Congratulations!!! It's awesome!

[moggle]

I planned to stop at 33 weeks but by 30 weeks brought it back to 32 weeks. Similar to you- 3 days a week office job; sitting down all day. Had already had a DD.
I really thought I was doing well until tiredness really ramped up at 28 weeks. Legs started swelling at 30 weeks. Did work one day during week 33 and it was hard.
Babies came of their own accord 37+1 - they’re 8 days today and I feel bloody fantastic compared to last few weeks of pregnancy!!!!

[doodlejump1980]

I worked until 33 weeks with DCDA twins. I had them at 37+6.
What kind of twins are you having? With identical I think they class term as 36 weeks, and non-ID as 38 weeks. I had a 55 inch waist the morning I went in to have them. Get a decent bump support and book physio sessions for your lower back and hips now! Good luck! Twins are ace. Mine turn 3 in a week. It’s great fun —most of the time—

[Pennywhistle]

I made it to 29 weeks with my twins. To be honest I was struggling before that.

I had a 90 min commute each way and was throwing up 10 times a day but the nail in the coffin was that I couldn’t reach my keyboard over my bump.

By 31 weeks I couldn’t reach the pedals in the car to drive either.

I also started to struggle with sleeping at about 31 weeks and needed naps during the day.

Apparently the senior management were thrilled and relieved that I stopped at 29 weeks. I was so huge that they were sure I was going to go into labour in the office.

Twins are hard work but awesome. best of luck.

[spiderbear]

Thank you all for your replies .. I know work will start mithering about what my plans are - they'll just have to see how I get on, the same as me!
Doodlejump80 they are non identical twins.

[Pennywhistle]

Spider you can only give them a planned date but give them advanced warning that you’ve been advised that you might not make it that far.

It’s hard to know in advance unfortunately.

[BellePack]

I was also working three days a week at a desk job and had a DS. I worked until 38 weeks with DS and I wanted to work as late as possible with DT. I told my employers I would work until 35 1/2 weeks with the view that I could bring it forward if necessary. I didn’t but wish I had. That last week I was so uncomfortable and tired. And DT arrived on the first day of my maternity leave!

Good luck whatever you decide. As has been said above, everyone is different.

[Redcrayons]

31 weeks for me. MY commute was about an hour and I was completely and utterly Exhausted (and also struggling to fit behind the steering wheel). Babies arrived 3 weeks later.

[Ohhshiney]

I went to 33 weeks then took 4 weeks holiday and my maternity started on the day they were born. I work in a supermarket and was on the tills and pottering around the shop. U never know how u will feel or how big u will get. I didn’t even show until 21/22 weeks just looked a little bit chunky before that (normally a size 12) so it may be possible.