Early maternity leave - what will I do with the time?

[sophiaslullaby]

I had planned to take 2 weeks annual leave prior to my due date. However woke up this morning and can't walk! Have done something to my right leg (can only guess I've twisted it when turning over in bed). Pain is front to inner thigh and makes it hard to use the leg at all without shouting in pain.

So, if still like this tomorrow I'll visit the Doc and see what they can suggest, but if they sign me off work (i only have week and 2 days left) what will I do with myself at home for 3 weeks?! I'm not a 'sit at home and watch TV' person, I'll go stir crazy! (Tell a lie, I've got the whole boxset of Desperate Housewives to re-watch )

What have other people done on their calm before the storm maternity leave?

I usually finish early (32 weeks first time and 30 weeks second time). I save annual leave so I then officially start mat leave at 36. I loved it. I did a lot of cleaning, skiing, walking, reading, shopping etc.
I'm having to finish later this time and dreading working 13 hours shifts past 32 weeks!

My work policy was to finish 3 weeks early... I was BORED insane by the time my son arrived 4 days late... I was dreading him being 2 weeks late! That being said, I was superstitious so didn't buy anything other than some babygrows to take to the hospital... most people take the time to get prepared I think... and see friends for coffee etc. as well. So Im sure it will be fine. I'm pregnant with my second now and am actually looking forward to the time to spend with DS.

I knitted baby clothes, watched films, napped, wandered around the shops, and generally got things ready.

Get all baby's clothes washed and put away, double triple check you have everything you need, take lots of long baths, see all your friends for coffee and catch ups before baby arrives, get a headstart on Xmas shopping, batch cook and fill the freezer, find out about baby groups in your area ready for when you're ready to take baby out... Try and spread things out so you don't get too bored or tire yourself out. I finished this time last year at 35 weeks and the first week or so was glorious, but by the end I was fed up. Try and get out of the house every day.

Thankyou for all your comments, that's made me feel a little better. Although if my leg is more than a pulled muscle I won't be walking much :-/ I'm just over 36 weeks now. I've done most of the washing and house-cleaning as I had 2 weeks off not long ago hence why I'm nnot panicking thinking i've done all the chores I'd initally planned. But guess it's not a time to do chores, it's a time to look after me and body before baby comes.

Um, Christmas shopping/write Christmas card/buy presents for any imminent birthdays/double check car/house insurance type stuff/wash dry iron baby clothes

Sleep

blue - I really want to sleep but it's how I did my bloody leg in in the first place! The irony - sleeping to rest and I damage myself, what an wally!

I like the Christmas prep idea.

Lumpy space cow... You went skiing??

I had mine at Christmas, due 22nd Dec so there was loads of stuff to do when I finished 2 weeks before induction.

I decorated the nursery and packed my hospital bag (after getting bollocked by the midwife for not having packed it at 37 weeks).

Took down 6 pairs of curtains and washed and ironed them , bloody nesting.

Watched countless shit Christmas films on Christmas 24.

Went to aquanatal (all of the classes in my area were during the day on weekdays so I hadn't been able to go before that).

Reorganised my tin cupboard with the help of an organiser I fashioned out of an old Amazon box (immediately prior to going in labour). Was crazy pregnant woman by then.

Wrapped all Christmas presents and stashed them in places I promptly forgot once I'd had the baby .

Bounced on my ball 18000 times.

Read a book for the last time in about 18 months as my concentration was shot after that.

I was never bored though.

Hope your leg is nothing serious.

I started maternity leave at 31 weeks. I:-

• Gave the flat a thorough clean
• Washed ands ironed all baby clothes
• bought baby items during the week when the shops were dead
• raided charity shops for baby items
• went swimming
• went on lots of walks
• did an online hynobirthing course
• had a massage & hair cut
• laid in
• had afternoon naps
• watched films

Signed off and told to rest at 30 weeks, can't do anything more energetic than pottering...no lifting, carrying etc.

Not been bored at all. I've done loads of reading, sewing, knitting, quiet contemplation and batch cooking. I am an introvert, I love the quiet and I can happily spend weeks by myself looking at the trees changing colour.

Someone from my office called to ask if I wanted 'someone to come and sit with me' ...I was thinking hell no, why on earth would I want that??

It's been lovely to have the quiet time. Shame I couldn't physically be well enough to garden or do any heavier work, as lots needs doing, but I've enjoyed being off.

Hope the leg sorts itself out!

I'm in introvert too - I like the idea of company but now, as I'm so tired, I'll have a friend over and then feel like sleeping after 15mins. I feel so rude!

Threefrazzled my tin cupboard desparetly needs organising - it's on the list! What organiser did you make? I'm intrigued. Curtain-washing and ironing is major nesting there!

Christmas prep is really useful, book online grocery slots etc. Christmas buying, wrapping etc with a new born and utterly sleep deprived is not good! Enjoy and feel smug about being so organised (also mid season sales are now on )

OP just to make you aware if you get signed off and they deem it as pregnancy related illness they might put you on maternity leave straight away meaning you will be on actual maternity leave rather than annual leave if that makes sense! Might make a difference to how much time you can take off

That is if you are 36 weeks or more

I worked til half way through my 37th week last time and had him at 39 weeks meaning only a week and a half at home - I regret not finishing sooner and am thinking of finishing at 35 or 36 weeks this time.

Enjoy it! If this is your first baby you could try out some parents and toddler groups. It might be nice to visit with your bump and see some familiar faces, so that when baby arrives it's not such a daunting prospect to turn up when you feel like it would be easier to just stay at hone.

My first baby was born at 31 weeks. I went to a hospital appointment on the Wednesday and was admitted and then spent 4 days in hospital and delivered in the early hours of the Sunday morning and never returned to work. I never got any maternity leave at home before and then spent all my maternity leave afterwards visiting my sick baby in intensive care.
I'm a sahm mum now so I won't get any official maternity leave this time round!

Lol! Stupid phone! I went swimming and not skiing!

If they do sign you off and your work starts your mat leave early, they legally have to either move your annual leave forward to you have your holiday and then mat leave straight after, or stick the holiday onto the end of your leave so you won't lose them.