Keeping going on maternity leave

[8abyDust]

So, I start maternity leave tomorrow, I am 36 weeks and very big. Getting very tired, very quickly. I know I will be resting lots over the next few weeks but I don't want to get to that lethargic state especially as I have things to do at the weekends still. How are others still keeping yourselves going with a bit of energy but also resting?

Thanks

I have been on sick leave/maternity leave since 31 weeks due to SPD. In the beginning I made a list of jobs that I needed to get done on top of the usual housework routine.

I tended to pick something each day off my list, then the next day chill out and so on. As I was no longer sitting in a crap office chair all day my SPD seemed to improve a lot so some days I did loads of stuff and decorated etc other days if I got into a film or a book I did nothing.

I make sure I get out the house each day, as I found after the novelty of been off wore off I got quite bored and lonely as DP works from home so he is here, but not here if you know what I mean.

Now nearer the end (40+2) I maintain the housework standard that I like but never achieved by working full time :) But mainly just lounge about and did some batch cooking for freezer and spent alot of time reading advice on here about what to do with a baby.

I am 37 weeks and trying to make the most of my last child free days! So meeting lots of mates for lunch, going to paralympics this week, going to the gym (though I just sit on the bike and read my book!), doing my pregnancy yoga and trying to walk as much as possible.

I have days where I feel dog tired but generally I feel pretty good. I am still working too but much easier for me as I work from home.

I agree with you, that I also want to get the balance between resting (not sure I am there yet!) and not getting really lethargic. I find that if I do nothing at all I feel much more tired and listless than if I am reasonably active.

Yes PollyIndia, thats what I feel like too, feel worse if I do nothing. I'm thinking active mornings and lazy afternoons.

I have really gotten into afternoon naps actually - it's the nicest self indulgent feeling, especially if I've been working and been to the gym in the am. Nana naps as someone I know called them.

When you already have a child this is not a problem

Sounds good on the napping front thing :)

I've just finished work at 35 weeks (baby due at 38+4) and have some serious paperwork to do this week. Once it's out of the way I am hoping to have 2 weeks to watch DVDS, fill the freezer, wash baby stuff and generally get my head around becoming a mum! :) The time is especially important as I recently got GD and seem to need to spend a lot of time thinking about / preparing / shopping for what I should eat. We've also just moved house so still have stuff to unpack and people want to come round for lunch etc so going to get all the 'work' stuff out of the way this week to be free for the fun stuff :)

I've had loads more energy since going on mat leave last week at 35 weeks. The first few days I was tired and needed afternoon naps but have ditched those now. I would relax for a few days and then get nesting and pampering!

I got signed off at 8 weeks and after the first couple of weeks I settled into a routine of active mornings and lazy afternoons.

I kept fit by running, riding and swimming, had lots of long baths and a few naps if I needed to, although now at 24 weeks I'm only really swimming, and I'm napping less.

I have kept busy-ish but I think I have slowed down a lot too - I need less in my day to make me feel active iyswim...