Tips for coping during last few weeks before maternity

[MyGoldenNotebook]

Hello All,

I am 31 weeks pregnant, still have six weeks to go before maternity leave starts, and unfortunately I'm a bit of a mess. Very very tired all the time, suffering from one minor ailment after another (water infections, colds, back aches, dizziness) and I'm starting to feel pretty down about it. Each day in work is a struggle (school teacher so vary rarely get a minute to myself). Poor DH doesn't get any attention and has to do most things around the house, and I feel that I should be cherishing these last weeks with just DS, but I'm too exhausted to do very much at all. I was so well during my last pregnancy - I can't believe the difference this time round!

So - I can't be the only one who's struggling? If you feel like me what are your coping strategies? I'm trying:

1. To do very little at the weekend.
2. As many hot baths as I can get.

(yawnsville eh?)

TIA xx

Have you spoken to your line manager? They might be able to reduce your teaching load so you get some time to sit down and write schemes of work or the like. I was also teaching in loads of different rooms and they shuffled the timetable so I didn't have to relocate so much.

I would Future - but my line manager is super stressed at the moment as we are expecting OFSTED any day. The senior leadership team are making all department heads run themselves ragged with countless meetings and presentations (we're a good school - I don't really get why SLT are getting so hyped up, but they are) and I don't want to add to the problem. I've already had a few days off dues to dizziness too and feel like the weakest link already.

My sympathies. I'm 30 weeks with my first and am knackered constantly. So no idea how you cope with a DS already. I'm also working fulltime...similar demanding job that requires me to be on the ball throughout the day.

All I can say, is cut yourself some slack!! Be nice to yourself. DH can do the majority of household things and you just rest rest rest. If you're anything like me, I can sleep wonderfully when I get in from work, but at.night it can be harder. So kip when you can. I'm sure your DS will be no worse off, although I understand you'd want extra time with him.

Were your 28 wk bloods ok? I know low iron can contribute to tiredness.

My coping strategy is one day at a time. If I think ahead to what I may be like in 6 weeks, I melt down. But I focus on today and then tomorrow. And if you can't manage something, I bet the world won't end! Also be very willing to accept any help, esp from folks at work.

Good luck!

I am also exhausted, today I took 2 naps! I am on iron supplements, but still am wiped!
I am not doing much around the house and the stuff I am doing with dd is crafts and puzzles, dh can take her bike riding!
I teach kindergarten and have stopped doing some things like before, I sit a lot more and have the kids come to me rather than me leaning over their little tables.
4 weeks to go, I am actually aware of how many teaching days I have left (17) - we have 2 bank holidays and a pRo- d in there!
Hang in there, not long now!