Twin mummies - maternity leave

[hayesgirl]

I am 30 weeks pregnant with twins. I have just short of 4 weeks annual leave to use and because my maternity policy is just the big standard statutory maternity policy I wanted to leave starting maternity leave as late as possible. I had there planned that I would take my annual leave from the 22 April (last day in work 17th) and start my maternity at 36 weeks (being induced at 37 if they haven't arrived already). However, even though it's only 2 and a bit weeks away I am thinking that it's ambitious to think I can last that long.
I'm so tired and uncomfortable at work. Within a few hours at my desk I have back ache and when I'm at work I seem to get Braxton Hicks almost constantly but at weekends I don't have any back ache and the BH are only every so often.
I have made an appointment to see the GP to see if he will sign me off for 2 weeks but don't know what my chances are. Has anyone else done this when they haven't had to go on Bed rest or had anything serious?

[Kels13]

Hey, I think if you get signed off this soon near your due date your mat leave will automatically start. There is another post in here where it's discussed further down.

[addictedtosugar]

Can't comment on when to start ML - I worked to 38 weeks with both singleton pregnancys. My twin Mummy friend stopped at 29 weeks.
BUT, ML cannot be forced til 36 weeks, so if you get signed off, that will be OK.
Can they adjust your working pattern, or seat type to make things easier for you?

[hayesgirl]

Yeah I'm aware they can't force me to take ML until 36 weeks. I have tried adjusting my chair but to be honest it just seems to be the fact that I have to sit straight that causes the problems! Sounds daft but it's also the pressure on the bottom twin because he is so low so he wriggles and kicks and it gets really painful! I'm just generally fed up!

[kicksandgiggles]

I would stop sooner. 50 percent of twins are born before 37 weeks - do you really want to work up until the moment you go into labour?

FWIW, I'm 17 weeks pregnant with twins, and will be cutting work back significantly in just a couple of weeks (I work freelance). I am finding this pregnancy a lot harder than with my DS, plus want to spend some time with him and focus on a few other things before the babies come.

[FreeButtonBee]

I finished at 32 wks and wish is stopped sooner the last two weeks were very very hard and I didn't really have much energy to get anythingr done pre baby arrival (thank god for internet shopping!)

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

I finished at 30 weeks, I had saved my Al and thought I would have a good few weeks at home before I had them and my ML started. I had grand plans of sitting in the garden, reading and stuffing my face with chocolate cake, putting the cot together etc.
I finished work on the Friday and had them the Monday after .
It's always worth taking in to account that twins could come sooner, you might be fine with working till you have them, but I really wish I had a break I between. I will have to wait till they leave home now.

[hayesgirl]

Kicksandgiggles I am also finding this pregnancy much harder than my previous singleton pregnancy! First pregnancy was so easy. I finished work at 39 weeks and felt fine! I really want to spend some quality time with DS before they arrive because all I seem to do now is work and sleep!!

[redspottydress]

I finished at 33 weeks for my twins and 38 weeks for my singleton. I was pushing it a bit for both to tbh.

[Diamondsareagirls]

I finished at 32 weeks and couldn't have done any longer. I am 36 weeks now (induction booked next week!) and although it has seemed like a long time to be off before they are born I couldn't have physically done it for any longer.

[NoIamAngelaHernandez]

I finished at 36 weeks and went into hospital a day later with preeclampsia!! I was lucky though and was able to work from home a lot, incorporating a nap in the middle of the day.

[neversleepagain]

I had a physical job with long hours and I finished at 30 weeks. I couldn't have done another day, I was exhausted at the end. My twins were born 4 weeks later.

At 30 weeks I was measuring 40+ weeks according to my notes. Carrying a bump that is bigger than term for weeks is tough going on your body.

[slightlyinsane]

I would finish as soon as you possibly can. I'm 29wks with twins and apparently I'm lucky that I'm a sahm. I can't imagine having to work ontop of everything else we have to do. For once I'm pleased I had to give up work when we moved. After 3 singleton pregnancies I am finding this the hardest by miles, I think it's the speed at which you grow and struggle to do things. Give yourself a break and finish now, take some time to look after yourself.

[hayesgirl]

Thanks everyone x

[eeyore2911]

This had scared me a bit lol! 24 weeks with twins and and a nurse on a crazy busy ward working 13 hour days/nights.... I'm not due to start mat leave until I'm 39 weeks but will take a months AL first as I'm being induced at 37 weeks...
I hadn't really thought about going earlier as I want time with my babies after
Ah well , here's hoping I'll be fine

[EeeekItsTwins]

I worked quite late with singleton pregnancies but hit a wall at 30 weeks with twins. I think from 30 weeks this is nothing like a single preg, very hard on your body, so take it as easy as you can.

I don't think bed rest is really done in the UK unless you have a serious issue. Would work be willing to change your mat leave date (even without enough notice), or do you not want to try that?

[EeeekItsTwins]

Eeyore - you say your mat leave starts at 39 weeks but you're being induced at 37?

You know your mat leave will automatically start when your babies are born? You should check if you'll lose annual leave when mat leave kicks in - you might be best to bring mat leave forward to 37 weeks at least.

[addictedtosugar]

eeyore - you need to check the AL policy. AFAIK, ML HAS to start the day after the babies are born, so if your being induced at 37 weeks, that is when your ML needs to start - you can't be on AL for the first 2 weeks of the babies life.

Good Luck to all you Twin Mummies

[addictedtosugar]

Sorry, should refresh before typing!