Maternity Leave: Earlier or later?

[bigscaryeyes]

I am due xmas eve and plan to take my maternity leave at 32weeks. I am already and have been switched off from work ( i teach in a secondary school) for the last few weeks. DH and I have worked out maternity budget etc but I now feel v v guilty for not trying to stay longer as other mums to be seem to manage to (my first baby also).

I have been suffering from mild SPD which is getting me down (off work today), but at the same time I do work part-time as a BodyShop@Home consultant - so its not as if I would be totally doing nothing.

Is there anyone else feels pressured to do the supermum thing and work til your waters break - whats your views ladies?

I'm pregnant with my first and due on 9th Dec. I'm working till 38 weeks but don't have a stressful job and we even have a sofa and TV at work so I can skive and relax during the day(don't ask!).

The thing is, I can't imagine what i'm going to do to fill 2 weeks (possibly up to 4 if I go over) before the baby comes. Is this mad?

Yes, it is mad. Relax woman, that's an order! Read, eat delicacies from a tray, take looooooong baths, meet up with friends, spend all day on the phone, watch daytime TV, whatever floats your boat - just spend lots of time relaxing because you won't get the chance again...

What fab posts mummies I went on my course yesterday which i really enjoyed and will be doing between now and next july which is when I plan to go back. I managed albeit a bit uncomfortable but it was just great being out but not at work!

I tried to go to work today but was v uncomfrotable by the time I had driven thru rush hour traffic. Did some paperwork and came home - felt v guilty and feel like Ive let people down, but on the other hand i feel so switched off! Silly hormonal mummy and at the end of the day no-one else can look after our bumps for us can they?! .

As i have this course and my bodyshop consultant work (great flexible working for a bit pocket money!) I have plenty to do AND all the lovely mummy stuff.

LMC I planned on having wax etc to 'tidy ones self up' but last time I had a wax at 19wks it was v sensitive and hurt v v v much mite just make do with a good shave n moisturise.

Anyway my update with the SPD which is partly the cause of my 'mixed up miserable off days' ive had is they offered me an appt for nxt Thursday this is after first raising it with my midwife 2 week ago - I protested and they're fitting me in on Monday. Managed to speak to my own MW today about messages left on Tuesday (day of last hormonal crisis ) who was rather sheepish.

Anyway its training day tomorrow, so no students to teach so I'm going to try again as i want to tie up loose ends so ive got total closure on the work thing and not have to go back or worry bout stuff (young male taking over my precious dept!!)

OOOOOOO more mixed up stuff - you see I'm desperate to just say bye and do my mummy things but I want it all looked after nice and properly when I'm away for when I go back (which doesn't bare thinking about - this is fruther down my list of worries I'll post that thread after DS is born hee hee hee )

Fantastic support from all

CAT thats v reassuring - I'm in two minds as whether to move to a school nr home as I currently commut across v busy commuter routes (gridlock hell ) and save on time and petrol

OR

...to stay where I am at as i can go down to 4 days without losing any of my mang pts as there is only me in dept so they can't re distribute them! (get sick of working on own but I'm pretty much left to just get one mostly)

BECAUSE if i move at what point do I apply for new job without messing up maternity leave etc and I would lose mgt points if I got a 3 or 4 day week position else where.

But onething I do cling to is our holidays - its one of the last decent things about the job (real downer about work as you can tell from last post!!)

TICTAC are you mad YES YES YES get on with some overindulgent pampering at home or in a salon, as a rsult of the support ive had on this thread Ive started to compile the a list of must do's b4 DS arrives!

PS my I am due to have DS on xmas eve and he's called Lewis.