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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How many weeks did you work up until before mat leave?

77 replies

scubastevie · 14/10/2012 08:45

Just that really, and how many weeks did you wish you had worked up to? Assuming that you didn't have a really early baby

I am just wondering. Would like to work up til 2 weeks til due date, as I keep thinking as a first baby it will be late. So if I took 4 weeks then baby was 2 weeks overdue that would be 6 weeks wasted at home without baby.
Is this unrealistic though? I'm worried about tiredness and backache and all the other unknowns, but I'm not especially active ie. I'm sat at a desk most the day.
Experiences appreciated :)

OP posts:

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popsypie · 14/10/2012 08:48

Worked until 38 weeks with dd1. In hindsight wish I had left sooner as was poorly until she was born 8 days late. Was v run down. Went back part time anyway. With dd2 I left at 36 weeks despite only working part time. With a 16 month old at home too I was exhausted.

detoxdiva · 14/10/2012 08:50

Hi. With dd I left at 34 weeks and took 2 weeks holiday before mat leave started. Dd was a week late so I was 5 weeks in to my mat leave before she arrived. I would have liked to have worked longer but I work in a very seasonal job and couldn't face Xmas there heavily pg . I did very much enjoy my sofa a DVD time whilst everyone was going Christmas crazy and it meant for a very relaxing festive period!!

With ds I worked to 38 weeks and took 2 weeks hol. He was on time but it did mean I didn't get as much me time before the birth as I'd have liked

tilder · 14/10/2012 08:56

I finished at 35 weeks with ds1 (iugr) an then 38 with ds2 and dd. Ds1 induced at 38 weeks and ds2 10 days late with dd 7 data late. I was knackered at 38 weeks but wanted to have as much time off after the baby was born as possible. Worked for me but not sure how productive I was the last couple of weeks!

If you say you will work to 38 weeks but finding it too hard could you.finish earlier?

Jcee · 14/10/2012 08:59

I worked till 36 weeks then took 2 weeks leave so maternity leave started at 38 weeks.

Everyone told me to make the most of those 4 weeks and although I spent some time chilling on the settee with cake and TV, as I was feeling ok, I also spent a lot of time rushing about trying to fill my time and keep busy iykwim.

DD arrived on time, but with a bit of hindsight now DD is almost 3, still doesnt sleep through the night and I am knackered I wish I had done absolutely nothing for those 4 weeks and made the most of just time for me although if someone had told me that at the time I wouldn't have believed them!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/10/2012 09:02

Collasped at about 30 weeks at work with DC1, as the paramedics were wheeling me out my boss said see you after your Mat Leave!. With DC2 was about 6 weeks but had an horrendous bladder infection for the last month so wouldn't have been well enough for work anyway.

Rowanhart · 14/10/2012 09:02

I'm almost 36 weeks and working to 39+5. Feeling find so fat. Tired in evenings but still doing yoga three times a week.

I think it's a case of mind over matter some times. It's been my plan all along and my replacements doesn't start until Nov1st so can't go off before then!

ivanapoo · 14/10/2012 09:03

I'm working until 12 days before due date but using holiday to work only 3 days per week for final month of work.

My job is half sitting in office, half travelling to meetings etc but will be trying to keep it office-based for that last month as much as poss too. Don't fancy going into labour on the M5...

At 31 weeks I'm already starting to struggle with sleep, memory and energy levels a bit so slightly worried I've bitten off more than I can chew!

Rowanhart · 14/10/2012 09:04

Should read feeling fine so fat. But also fat so worked either way!

bonzo77 · 14/10/2012 09:08

Worked till 36 weeks with DS. I was definitely ready to stop and enjoyed having 3 weeks of chilling and meeting friends before he came. This time planning to work till 38 weeks but may stop sooner.

pinsent · 14/10/2012 09:08

I'm currently working until 37+1 with my dc1. I am a full time dance teacher (although doing a lot of chair dance teaching at the mo) and apart from feeling very tired and having swollen feet & hands i am feeling fine. (touch wood). I really think its down to the individual. If you're having a straightforward pregnancy then you will probably feel fine to keep working as long as possible. However if you're finding things difficult then I don't think you should push yourself too hard. From what my friends with children tell me, you need to enjoy all the rest you can get while you can. Good luck whatever you decide.

BalloonAnimals · 14/10/2012 09:11

Scheduled to work up to 39 weeks, signed off ill at 34 weeks, which was a nightmare at work.

procrastinor · 14/10/2012 09:14

38 weeks. Wished I'd stayed on for another week and used annual leave to go part time. DS 10 days late so felt I was just hanging around.

LynetteScavo · 14/10/2012 09:14

With DC1 I left as soon as I could (knew I wasn't going back) I did go in three days a week for a couple of weeks as they couldn't find a replacement, though.

With DC2 32 weeks with DC3 33 weeks.

I am really rubbish at being pregnant.

Frontpaw · 14/10/2012 09:19

I was due to finish on the friday - 2 weeks before ny due date (which I suspected was a little early). I went into labour wednesday evening and had DC thursday am.

Panzee · 14/10/2012 09:23

I'm going at 34 weeks, with 2 weeks holiday before. I went at a similar time last time and really enjoyed the relaxation and having time to get things ready. This time I'm looking forward to spending time with my son before another one comes.

OwedToAutumn · 14/10/2012 09:28

With all three, I worked up until they arrived, then straight back to work within a week.

Self employed people rarely get the luxury of Maternity Leave, but at least I could either bring my babies into the office, or work from home, which an employed person can't do.

Robomummy · 14/10/2012 09:31

38 weeks, which was probably just about right. DS was 3 days late

chezziejo · 14/10/2012 09:45

I'm working to 36 weeks. I'm 34 at mo but its hard running up and down that ward at the mo. glad of a sit down and and a

SomedayIllFlyAway · 14/10/2012 09:51

I worked up till 38 weeks. I am now 39 weeks and bored, wish I had worked this past week too.

I am still feeling great, though am a little tired as I am not sleeping properly as I keep having to go to the loo, but nothing bad enough to stop me from working.

BigWhoop · 14/10/2012 09:51

I worked up until 37 weeks, but I used my leave for the last month so I reduced my hours gradually - by 37 weeks I was only doing 2 days
I'd say it was pretty much perfect for me. I wasn't bored, or too tired, I was still able to get out to Mum and Bump groups (aquanatal, bfeeding support, pampering sessions!) without it interfering with work. I'd recommend finishing gradually!

PinkChampagneandStrawberries · 14/10/2012 09:53

I worked up to 39 the latest I was allowed. He was born at 40+2 so was fine

Pascha · 14/10/2012 09:55

I worked til 33.5 weeks, had 2.5 weeks leave and started mat leave at 37 weeks, mainly because I didn't want to work through any of august and I had holiday accrued. In hindsight I wish I had used my leave to drop from 5 to 4 days a week, then 3 days a week for a couple of months beforehand and still finished at 37 weeks.

MaMattoo · 14/10/2012 10:00

Till 2 days before I was due to be induced. Meant my new parent anxiety was under control and that I had a long stretch at home with baby :)
I guess it works differently for everyone. I did get worn out as getting to work involved a total of 3 hours on the tube each day :(

wheresmespecs · 14/10/2012 10:03

self employed - worked until my waters broke. actually carried on after my waters broke, as DS was over a week early and I had to organise things at short notice as a result.

(then had to pick up unfinished work when he was 3 days old, but that was hell, so I don't recommend that.)

I'd say it depends entirely on how you feel. I had an easy pregnancy and my job is basically sitting at a PC - I would have liked tiime to lie on the sofa/go for lovely slow walks in the country but it didn't kill me not to have it I suppose.

I did have friends who were keen to stop work but then found themselves at home and 'brooding? slightly about the birth and just wanting it all to hurry up. I suppose work is a good distraction in some ways.

MooncupMishap · 14/10/2012 10:29

I've finished pretty early both times, using holiday to go off around 33 weeks with mat leave starting at 36. Both mine have come late too!

Both times I've really enjoyed nesting, cooking for the freezer, resting a bit, and getting to go yoga/aquanatal/midwife groups/long walks/spend time with DC1. When you're having a year or so off as I've been lucky enough to do, I felt using those weeks to go into labour/birth/parenthood rested was a good use of time.tod rested

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