To want to stop work at 37 weeks - 3rd baby, dc 5 and 3

[Shedidwhat]

Just that really! Don't have an official mat leave date as I do casual work and finding it difficult to be honest about how hard I am finding doing school run an dashing off to work in the morning. It's only two days a week but I really feel it might be time to stop.

YANBU. I gave birth to both my DC at 37 weeks. Put your feet up and have a rest before the baby arrives

If you're finding it difficult, and feel it's time to stop, then stop. Nobody gets a medal for working up to their due date. I wouldn't judge someone for stopping at 27 weeks if they felt unable to carry on, let alone 37. It's your pregnancy.

Are there reasons for you NOT to stop at 37 weeks?

Bit financially motivated-doing more hours for this block of work so improves mat allowance if I can finish. But I think I know what I need to do really. Although work physically unchallenging (although not as unchallenging as ds being at childminders and me at home!) once I get there, the rushing to get there is getting very tough.

I thought that was the normal time to stop anyway?

eh ???

I stopped at 34 weeks with my second

you are a crazy lady

I'm going to be finishing at 33 weeks due to taking my annual leave and I can't wait, do youself a favour and finish as soon as you can. You know it's not the same as when you finish with your first as you still have some much to do so in the case you need to finish earlier to get any benefit

Last time I took annual leave and finished at 35 weeks. Was too big to fit behind the steering wheel to drive (short legs), it was hot and even hotter in the hospital and I had had enough.

Reality - seriously?

OP - I went at 36 weeks with DD1, was perfect.

No but you can have my dd and then I would be able to work longer!

37 weeks is more than reasonable. I stopped then but having always gone overdue with other dcs I was fairly sure I would have at least 3 weeks to get sorted. I was right - I had 4!

I gave up at 28 weeks with my first because I didn't think my bladder would survive the trip to work (although actually it was OK right to 42 weeks), and I didn't relish the thought of BR toilets or pissing myself on the Northern Line.

When I started work in 1981, all the pregnant women stopped work at 28 weeks. I never knew anyone working longer. IIRC at that time you didn't get sick pay if you carried on working longer than that because "you were supposed to be off work anyway."

Reality You only get a medal if you are back in your pre-preg size 8 jeans at 4 weeks. Then you will be like a true Celebrity ;-)

No medal sorry as I can afford my mat leave as it not much differnt to my pay ATM . But you can still have dd

I stopped at 39 weeks and was back after five weeks with my second.

I am such a wuss

with my first I stopped at 35 weeks with my second at 34 weeks, had a year off with both of them and went back part time

working for the NHS still has some advantages...mat entitlement is fab

Medals all round. Will have discussion with dh this evening. There is significant danger I will end up doing the equivalent of squatting in the field to have this baby otherwise!! Must stop him seeing pound signs and start seeing imminent baby!