Maternity leave- anyone else feel weird about going off?

[redbird79]

Hi all, I just wondered if it's me being a bit over-emotional, but I finish work tomorrow for maternity leave and I am feeling quite sad actually.
Although I will be going back to work after a year and a bit, my job will be changing (my choice to come back part-time in a slightly different role) and it feels weird because I have been so career-oriented basically since I left school, and now I will be something else entirely.
Sorry if I sound like a whinger- I know I am lucky to have a job I enjoy and bosses who are flexible, but I just feel a bit like it's the end of an era and wondered how other people are feeling/coped when they did the same?

Hi Redbird79, I leave next week. I have a fairly physical job and gradually through my pregnancy I have had to let go of those elements of my role, which is actually what I want. Fingers crossed when i return back at work my role will change into a nmore desk bound job and also part-time. This hasn't been confirmed so at the moment I feel a bit anxious about my job when I return. I am also worried that they will get someone so good to cover my role that they won't want me back. It sounds a bit childish but I really need my job for finacial reasons and I don't want to lose that part of my identity just yet. I am however looking forwars to 4wks off before my due date and taking better care of my self before my wee one is born.I think it is probably natural to feel this way especially if you have always followed the time schedule of education then full time work, stopping everything as well as having a baby is a big change. The next major change will be to adjust to childcare when going back to work, I'm sure that will bring on a whole other level of strange emotions. don't worry everything will be fine. I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. xxx

I guess it is an end of an era. I'm sad everytime I leave a job (well most of them & I speak from distant memory as I've been in current job for 10 years).

As I worked up to a week before due date with DD, and had spent a month training my cover (who was a friend, but who drove me absolutely farking crazy working with her) I was ready for the time 'off', but I did keep in touch with the office a little and visited a couple of times with the baby.

Feel your sadness, have the moment. Bet you wake up the day after tomorrow having moved through it and ready for your big new adventure.

not half as weird as I'm feeling about going back!

I finished nearly 3 weeks ago and was also really sad. I feel like my work is a big part of who I "am" and I am one of those lucky people who enjoy thier jobs - work really energises me (most of the time!). I have also been career orientated basically since school (I am a lawyer (a barrister), so you have to be pretty single minded and consistent really). I'm also thinking of having a year off. I would quite like to go back sooner, but really want to give my baby (who is yet to arrive - due on Mon!) a whole year.

I think its pretty normal to have mixed feelings about finishing a job you love. As much as I am really looking forward to being a mother, I admit that I feel very "validated" by my work - its exciting and high powered and interesting in a v intellectual way. Motherhood will, I think be totally different!!!

Don't worry though OP, I am sure we will love it and relish our roles as mothers!

Yes I am dreading it as I am taking all my leave beforehand as I have not been too good. I am on bed rest for two weeks and its given me an insight into what it will be like on maternity before the baby is born and I am bored to death! I am sad as I love my job and the people in my work!

I cannot wait! I really enjoy my job and colleagues but it has been so busy and I've been so knackered that I don't care any more. I'm looking forward to TV and films, swimming, bimbling about on the internet, cooking up big pots of chilli/curry/soup to hoard for post-baby. It may be my last me-time EVER so I'm going to use it wisely (laze around and not do very much).

Don't worry - you'll be back at work before you know it!

nicky80 sorry that you are on bed rest and bored. Are there any TV series that you can get a box set of that you've always wanted to watch? I can recommend Alias for action and Arrested Development for comedy.

Yes missdt that is an idea..I might upgrade my lovefilm subscription for the next two months and get all the box sets I have always wanted to see and never had time to! I hadnt thought of that..day time TV is so poor quality. I do love having four on demand and I player though. Thanks for the tip. :-)

I cannot wait to go either (only 18 weeks tomorrow ) as this pregnancy has been so draining and exhausting I'm really struggling to cope with work anyway.

I'm sure it'll feel odd when the time comes though.

Best wishes for your ML.

Know totally where you re coming from.I finished 3 weeks ago at 36 weeks, had 2 weeks AL then started mat leave 1 week ago.I really enjoy my job as a specialist sister in a clinic and work with a realy good team[well vast majority are 3 or 4 not soo good!!].My team have been soo supportive i conteplated working for another couple of weeks , but, i m glad i finished when i did to allow me time to clean,wash,de-clutter and generally "nest".

I didn t realise how tired i was until i finished work , my feet are much less swollen, i ve taped loads of tv and watched it at my leisure.I have even popped in to work to catch up with the gossip.I keep reminding myself this will be the last time i get this opportunity to chill out on my own,with DH and cats!!! Soo to enjoy it!!!!! Also keep reminding myself i ll be back , full time, before i know it [March] .I also found this time off has flown i m due a week tomorrow soo anytime now my "freedom" will end!!!!!!

I felt weird when I had my first mat leave (almost 4 years ago!). I was fannying about in the office and my boss practically marched me out . I knew I was going back, but it was a great leap into the unknown.

I stopped work at 34 weeks and DS decided to keep me on my toes by arriving at 37 weeks. So I only had 3 weeks of peace before all hell broke loose!

OP - could have written your post. I went on leave at 34 weeks (4 weeks annual leave then mat leave). I am also coming back but only part time and the job will have changed because of a big restructure.

For the first week of leave I just sat and cried - hormones - and thought: Who are you if you're not this ball-busting city type anymore who sits in front of CEOs and senior management and gives them a grilling?? There I was, sitting at home, on my own, watching Jeremy Kyle and folding baby clothes, ringing up work to be told that "yeah, everything's fine" - for that read "we don't need you" and the highlight of my day being when my DH came home and I could feed him his dinner and have some company.

Still waiting for bambino six weeks later but I am now enjoying this "limbo stage" - have made myself slow right down for my own good, but have also taken up some little projects like my cross-stitch, made some friends at NCT and also see my family much more. Plus I am 40 weeks tomorrow so sleeping during the day a lot more. This fills the 8-5 void quite nicely.

Find yourself something to do (even if it's "just" mumsnet) and use the time to get your mind and body into "contented cow" mode (my mother's turn of phrase) so you can switch off from being the Type A career girl for a bit. I think from your nickname that I am the same age as you and it was only when I stopped work that I realised how much I needed a break from it!

Hi Redbird. It's my last day at work before mat leave today too. It does feel weird and I'm not sure how I'll cope on Monday morning, but it's strangely exciting too.

I am going to make the most of today - being sat at a desk on mumsnet working and not feeling 'working mother's guilt'.

Enjoy your last day and I hope they spoil you rotten!!

Thank you all so much for your support and words of advice and comfort ladies, it really does help to feel that I am not the only one.
Hope all of you already off/finishing soon have a wonderful maternity leave. I am just hoping I get through today without crying (at least not in front of my colleagues!) and then wake tomorrow thinking "Today is first day of the rest of my life!"
We are having butterfly buns and Bucks Fizz at lunchtime if anyone wants to join us by the way
Next week will be all about Mumsnet, making curtains, cleaning/de-cluttering and hopefully down-time too!
Thanks again and have a lovely day all of you
x