Exhausted at 29 weeks and finding work so hard

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

I'm not really sure why I'm posting - hoping for helpful advice or just telling me you've felt the same?!
I'm 29 weeks with dc3 - other dc are 3.5 and 2. I work three days a week and am really struggling already. I am utterly drained and constantly nauseous. Combined with ridiculous pressure at work i just feel like crying. I'm so anxious constantly about work, even when not there. And have this constant feeling of doom about it. I wasn't like this at all with previous two and worked up to 40 weeks with both. I'm due to go to 39 with this one and can't afford to go sooner.
I don't know if it's the anxiety about work or the exhaustion that's worse :(

I don't have any advice other than I feel your pain! I'm 24 weeks and have been exhausted all day, every day, since 6 weeks. Find work a real struggle, and I'm doing a PhD too so concentrating is a nightmare and I'm in a cycle of being too tired to study, then feeling bad about it, then doing even less because I'm so anxious. On the other hand I think anyone that can do this with young children deserves a Nobel Prize - I don't know HOW you cope! The most annoying thing, I find, is my pregnant friends who are full of energy and still do things like go running or go to Zumba classes or have a fantastic sex life. Its awful but I actually hate them because I'm so tired and grumpy and all I want to do is sleep and watch TV.

I am you.(31 weeks, work 3 days, 2yo and 3.5yo)

I've called in sick Thursday and Friday. I also have a migrane.

Luckily I can start maf leave early and they appointed my mat cover Friday, so hopefully I am go in a few weeks. But I have got a shedload of work that I will need to do first.

Dh is being great. I mostly feel like crying.

So sympathy from me

Oh poocatcher I'm so jealous!! It's bloody exhausting with other kids being pregnant. I was once one of those bouncy pregnant people :/ this one is killing me. It's the anxiety that's the worse I think, I'm normally really happy go lucky but just feel like im on the verge of a breakdown. I'm debating trying to get signed off somehow which is awful isn't it. I keep hoping for a minor injury like a broken arm so I can stay off! Awful or what.

I'm nearly 28 weeks and really struggling with work too. This is my first so I can't imagine how much harder you're funding ut having 2 little ones at home already! I feel like all my energy goes into my working day and as soon as I leave at 4.30pm I instantly feel exhausted and nauseous and my own free time in the evenings is ruined :-( I'm way behind in the housework and preparing for a baby as I'm just slumped on the sofa when I'm not working. The state of the house makes me feel depressed and dh is flipping useless around the house.

29 weeks, child number 3 and I also work 3 days a week in a stressful job! It's bloody hard work isnt it?! I honestly don't know how I am going to manage for another 10 weeks! We are in the process of selling our house and moving too, I just want to fast forward to Christmas when it will all be over!

My advice is to go on sick leave, I finish in 5 weeks there is no way I could manage until 39 weeks .

Yes, if you are really struggling, get signed off for a few weeks to have a rest. Your health & wellbeing is more important than a job. Hugs x

You poor thing... Def get signed off for a couple of weeks. I'm expecting dc2, 26 weeks, and a 2yr old at home. I work 4 days... Which I actually find easier than 3.
I had to get myself signed off at about 13 weeks because of stress and exhaustion. Boss was really understanding.
There's a rule in most contracts though that says mat leave starts if you go off sick after a certain cut off point - check that first.
If you can't get some time off then have a frank chat with your boss - can you work some time from home?

I think it off work with medical note you start maternity leave at 36 weeks. Do you have any annual leave you can take as another option?

Thanks all - I'm a teacher so don't get annual leave and obviously can't work from home. We're also in the process of selling our house - why on earth we decided to do this too I don't know. Is it that easy to get signed off?! Just on the basis I'm tired and anxious? It's a very tempting thought - even if I take a few weeks that then rest me up enough to get to the end.

hi, no I do not get AL either!
Think it depends on your GP - I had a fit note due to my baby having IUGR, but got reduced hours not signed off, in last pregnancy.

It was easy for me (says guiltily)...

I went to the docs on a particularly low day... And ended up sobbing in her office. Exhausted, stressed (also moving house at that time), anxious. She gave me two weeks on the spot, said I needed it and it genuinely did me the world of good. Get to your GP tomorrow.
School will survive without you, that's what supply teachers are for!

I might have to go and see the gp, I just feel a bit daft though. There'd be no real reason for the appt iykwim?! It's awful though, I can feel my anxiety and nausea a rising as I get nearer work days - tues onwards. I'm fine once finished for a few days then just get worse and worse up to it. Being knackered doesn't help, im barely sleeping. Argh!

Yes see your doc. I would if I still felt dreadful after the self cert period. I'd just say I felt awful and probably cry

Pressed too soon.

I'm feeling a little better this pm and evening. Not working tomorrow so hopefully another day will sort me out. Yay!

I'm on DC3, and I don't think that colleagues really get just how hard it is to work while pregnant! I was doing an appraisal for one of my colleagues on Friday, and she started going on about how unsupported she felt with something in July when I was struggling into work with morning sickness, and I really wanted to shout that you were lucky I was even there!!!! I have huge sympathy for pregnant teachers, as I can come in late if I feel grotty. The doctor will be able to help you, and if the first one doesn't, try another one...

BIGGG hugs to you.

HAve you checked your iron levels? Are you eating and sleeping well?

Did you speak to your kids? try explaining to your 3yrs old and 2yr old that mummy needs some rest because the baby(in your tummy) is tired. You will be amazed how much they will understand - esp since the BABY is tired.

Cut down on house work as much as you can. Get DH to do your laundry and make simple meals once a week - freeze them in batches. Put your feet up as much as you can. ARe you having enough liquids??

Re work - I can totally relate to you. Im getting a lot of grief and stress at work - Unfortunately Ive just started working in a new team and Im stuggling with the new lead. I cried in the loo twice last week!

Anyway, I decided to take things easy at work and do only what I can. If ppl push me further or say mean things, I jsut ignore. I only do what I can.

Hope this helps. sending you lots of love and hugs :) take care.

Thanks for the replies - not sleeping much down to leg cramps/needing a wee/chn being ill. Haven't had them checked recently though will they check as part of 28 week bloods? I just feel like I should soldier on, I'm not sure why. I'm so tired! I have a few hypochondriacs at work and I feel like screaming at them. But don't. Yet!!!

I hear you - 29+6 and I'm done - I've taken the option to work from home but don't even want to go there what I get up to but it's so bust sometimes I just get emotional which results into a good nap :-) ( any excuse any!) . On a positive note I finish work end of September. 1 month annual leave and then mat leave kicks in which gives me a month till baby is due - can't wait !

I'm going to sit and do the maths tonight and see if I can go earlier than I planned. That might put light at the end of the tunnel at least!