Anyone else not especially excited about starting maternity leave?

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

I'm 32 weeks and everyone keeps asking me if I'm counting down the days until I start maternity leave.

Truth is, I quite like my career, I've had no problems in my pregnancy that would make working uncomfortable, and still feel fit and great. So no, not dying to start my leave and I could happily work until I go into labour if things don't change drastically.

Am I alone?

Me too, am 29 weeks and really looking forward to the work I have on over next few months. Am trying to work up to 39 weeks so I can be part of tender evaluation team for a work element really important to my area. have lots of big external meetings too and trips around the country lined up, if I am up to the travel. I just ignore the comments (I get very few as some people still not realised am pregnant as bump small and I don;t talk about it if I can avoid it). This is third pregnancy and will enjoy my time off with my baby but also enjoy my work time while I am at work
Am not counting down except to try and figure out if I can get my work sorted and cover all the aspects I want to- taking my blackberry and laptop home over Maternity leave as have a conference to organise for October. BUT I WANT TO, it is fun and I would just do some other voluntary stuff if I did not do this

Well I was planning on working fairly late,then brought forward & just have again due to being so damn tired. Was unwell yesterday & ended up at hospital. Do whatever works for you,no two people are the same but do allow yourself the option of changing your mind.

With dd I was worried I would be really bored so literally organised something every single day.

LOL they had to kick me out at 38 weeks. Work is ace. Sat down all day with feet up and other people bringing me tea. Had a nice little party on my last day, was kept busy and not bored. The journey was at times arduous, but compared to the slavery of being at home was a joy. All that - and they still paid me!!

I'm 38+1 and am still working. Last day before maternity leave is tomorrow.

I love my job, and couldn't think of anything worse than sitting at home waiting for a baby when I could be distracting myself with something productive. Deep down I know that with my 2 hour commute each way there is no way I'll be able to go back full time next year, so I'm hanging on to normality as long as I can.

nancerama I have exactly the same commute as you! I am really struggleling at the moment with it but then I'm only 10 + 4, does it get easier?

I'm not looking forward to it at all. I like structure and routine, but am not very good at enforcing it myself. With a job you have to get up. What am I going to do all day? I'm sure once DC arrives I'll be busy enough, but not looking forward to that month of waiting.

H007 - yes, the commute gets much easier! I remember I went for about 3 weeks at the beginning of my pregnancy feeling absolutely exhausted and really rather queasy. It all tailed off at about 13 weeks and I've had too much energy ever since!

Once I turned 25 weeks, I also received a letter from the train company allowing me to travel 1st class, so I always get a seat (which I never did before I was pg). All the lovely commuters on the Bakerloo line are also do quick to offer me a seat. Perhaps this is why I'm in no rush to start my leave - I want to enjoy all the little perks as long as I can!

Nancerama thank you so much for the reassurance.... Just have to think 2 more weeks then two more weeks fx :)

Well clearly we a not in the majority (and I never expected anything different) but it's very nice to see that I'm not a complete freak :)

Thehiddenpaw, completely on the same page. I don't know about you, but throughout my pregnancy i've never felt more sharp and focussed. Baby brain??? No way, not one bit. I've been given some great high profile projects at work and I'm determined to make the most of what little time I have left.

I'm planning to keep in touch on occasion while I'm on leave, but I'm contemplating doing some volunteer work while I'm off. Only one day per week mind you. Still I think it will be good for me and the baby.

Redexpat, I'm also terribly undisciplined without structure. I once took a career break, meant to last three months but I only lasted six weeks. I'm a night owl and without a reason to get up in the morning I found myself going to bed at 4am and sleeping until almost noon every day. Not good!

H007 hope things get better for you soon. Also once you start to show people will start offering you a seat which will make things easier hopefully. I am lucky, only have a 30 min commute, but these days people won't accept when I say not to worry as I'm only on for two stops. They insist that I sit! (and this is in central London)!

One more here! I am not so much worried about 'the wait' - I am planning about two weeks now, and that may be spent on settling in a new home. I am more worried how it will work the other end. I am currently planning a 6 months maternity leave, thinking that may be a happy balance between work and child, but at the same time worrying it'll be too hectic once I go back and the baby is only 6 months.

I am kind of looking forward to maternity, but another part of me is stressing about it - I am very much a people person and get bore easily on my own. I like the banter of work and being around other people and am worried how it will impact on my mood spending so much time alone with the littl'un.

Anyone else worried about the isolation etc? I suppose it's a case of it is what you make it though, so I will just have to make sure I arrange to meet up with people when I can and go mother and baby groups etc?

Munkeychops, I hadn't really thought of that until now, but it's a good point. I think it should be ok for me at least initially.. DH will stay home with me for two weeks then my teenage nice is coming to stay with me for the summer, to help with the baby and see London.

But after she leaves, I can see how I might feel a bit isolated... I don't have family here, and all my friends will be at work, or enjoying their singleton lives. I'm just hoping to make new (additional) friends (e.g. through NCT classes etc). I might join one of those fitness groups like Pushy Mums, volunteer somwhere, or try to fit in some lunch dates with my working friends.

FrettyBetty, I'm also having massive debates about when to return to work. I'm thinking a good time would be in late Jan / early Feb (perfect timing for the sort of job I'm in, as that's when people start thinking about all the "new" work for the year ahead). That's about 7 months or so. But I'm also open to changing my mind, or maybe even trying a phased return to work (e.g. start p/t and build up to f/t).

Although I don't discount the possibility of taking a full year entirely, I don't think it's likely. When I poll other women who are "like me" (enjoy their careers, ambitious, very active etc) the majority seem to feel like 7-9 months is about right for them.

thehiddenpaw, how long did you take for your first two children, if you don't mind me asking?

I am looking forward to my maternity leave for some reasons and not for others.

I am tired, and the 45 minute drive each way is starting to make me uncomfortable (I think it's the car seat)
It means the baby is nearly here (which is good for the obvious reason and also because the nausea will stop)
I get to spend some of my daughters summer holidays with her just the two of us before she starts secondary school
A couple of my colleagues are also currently pg and hopefully we can make plans to meet up during mat leave
I will have more time available to spend with my family (who live a few hours drive away)
My mat leave replacement is currently being sought and my boss is already arranging my handover (which is kind of annoying as I am not finishing until beginning of August)

I like my job, especially the social aspect, I speak to many people everyday I've worked there a long time and got to know a few people well
I get on great with my colleagues
I like the challenge of work - and some of the projects I get (okay so there is always some tedious bits but that's life)
I like bringing a salary home, my contribution to our family finances is important to me (my mat benefits are not the worst they could be, but they are far from being good and I will be on SMP for a most of my leave)

I am slightly worried about isolation, but I am already planning to join local classes (yummy mummy pilates sounds good) and visit my family more

Anyway - by considering all of these aspects carefully, I decided to start mat leave 17 days before due date and take 37 weeks off. I think when you finish up and when you go back is a very personal choice depending on how you feel, what your circumstances are and how your partner feels. You have (I am guessing) been working on your career for sometime, you are perfectly normal to think you will miss that :)

I cant wait to go on maternity leave as I been feeling so rough, but OH is having the first few months off with me as being on my own with a child terrifies me! I would prefer to work, in fact I will be the one going back to full time work. The thought of not working after the birth terrifies me but I would be well up for going off now as I need a rest!

Nice to talk to like minded people! Transantlantic, I was thinking about a phased return to work as a happy balance, but am worried about being taken seriously when I get back... I wonder if it would be better to take longer off but then be full on. Oh, I don't know.

I am a city lawyer at a very large firm in London and am REALLY looking forward to not being at work for a year - I sort of feel like they've had their pound of flesh for the last 7 years and I have earned my maternity leave! I do like my job but I am so excited to meet the baby and see what it's like being a mamma.