Struggling to keep motivated at work

[LilP]

Hello All
I'm coming up to 29 weeks and am finding it really difficult to give two hoots about work at the moment. This is really worrying me as I've still got another 8/9 weeks to go before maternity leave. I just keep thinking that nothing is as important as my baby (or my current health) - and so just don't feel like dealing with anything with any importance - even though I've got deadlines looming and other important matters to attend to. What am I going to be like in the last couple of weeks before maternity leave?

We've still got lots to organise before the baby comes, and as I get bigger and more tired, I'm anxious to get it all done.

On the other hand, I realise that the time will pass much more quickly with the distraction of work and I should enjoy the company of my colleagues before feeding and nappies take over my daily life!

Anyone else feel the same? How are you dealing with it? Got any suggestions on how I can snap out of it?

Me too. It just feels all very irrelevant and unimportant compared to my PFB!! No suggestions unfortunately. Perhaps you'll get some more helpful ones after work hours from those who haven't passed the working day on Mumsnet?!

Good point ecuse!

Eeek! I clicked on this planning to say me too...but I'm only 7 weeks

My "excuse" is that I feel rotten and spend most of the day trying to work out if I am going to be sick and need to run to the toilet or if it's just feeling queasy...

To help maybe you could split your day up? Give yourself definate times when you work with no mning distractions and other times when you allow yourself to be distracted?

Or just make yourself a list of the stuff you absolutely have to get done before going on mat leave and just do that?

It's normal! Everyone stops giving a monkeys about work when there's a little person on the way.
Just do what needs to be done without killing yourself. Going above and beyond now is pointless in my experience as no one remembers when you come back.

Yeah, same here... I'm 28 weeks and have 7 weeks left before I stop working. Lots to do, but finding it very hard to focus on work, as there are so many other things going on -
We haven't bought anything for the baby yet.

We need to do the nursery.

Need to get the guest bedroom sorted for family visiting when DC has arrived. But can't do anything with the rooms before our lodger moves out, which I'm hoping he'll do beginning of March!

I need to book the local parentcraft classes.

DH needs an knee op asap, so he'll be fit to drive me to hospital when labour starts.

The house is a mess, the garden is a mess.

Need to schedule a visit to my mum while I can still fly (she lives abroad).

I'm getting more stressed just writing this list .

And breathe...

Completely normal!

I spent too much time googling facts about babies, and on here, as baby was simply the most important thing. It's natural.

But as soon as I went on mat leave, I missed work like heck, and the 9-5 fills the days so nicely.

The last few weeks passed very quickly for me, I hope they do for you, too!

LilP and JBrd we're in a very similar place. 26 weeks, 7 weeks left in the office, trying hard to get excited about planning our spending for next year [hmmm] or events in June/September [hmmm] but actually have a big life changing personal event coming up in May so don't really give a stuff. Still so much to do between now and when I leave, not least organise my handover in an orderly fashion.

I remember watching a pg colleague about 18months ago sitting in meetings rubbing her belly with a beatific smile on her face. I now know she was sitting there thinking "none of this really matters..."

Sorry no suggestions on how to snap out of it as I am the same at 27 weeks and I really struggle! Its hard knowing that I could finish in 2 weeks if I wanted but I am trying not to.

I think we all feel pressured to stay as long as possible but sometimes it just doesnt work like that and there are things that need to be done! My honest friends sometimes have said when they finished 1 or 2 weeks before the baby was due they wish they had more time.

Getting really fed up with everyone else in my office having an opinion on when I should finish e.g I worked until the week before ect ect and they are usually the ones who moan about people telling them what to do with there babies!

So glad I have read everyone elses comments so thanks OP as I was starting to feel like I was giving up to soon and there are others on here the same place as me.

My replacement starts tomorrow and it feels a little strange as I want to go but what if hes better than me?

Thanks to all for letting me know that you feel exactly the same - it must be that pre-30 weeks stage! This week at work has been so hectic, I've not even had time to post since I started the thread, which does mean almost a whole week has flown by, which I'm grateful for.

I have my weekly/monthly schedule pinned up by my desk, that plans out all my work until I go on leave. I am very much enjoying taking a big black marker and marking off each week completed before I leave for the weekend!

One other thing - husband pointed out that if I just count the work days - I've only got 40 more days of work left to go!

Totally know where you'ree coming from. I'm 32 weeks, and have felt completely demotivated since I returned from Christmas holidays. I work from home a lot and just can't motivate myself to do anything work related, I prefer to read baby books / watch TV. Counting down the days!!

Now I'm 32 weeks and beginning to feel really uncomfortable, tired from poor sleeping and just liek I need to lie down and relax a lot. I really don't think we were built to work while pregnant! Good luck xx