Do I need to man up or go on mat early?!

[Frankie72]

I'm 35 week tomorrow and have planned to leave work (teacher) at 38 weeks. This would mean I would be paid up until my due date the first week of April normally if baby doesn't come early...

The problem is I'm struggling at work. Physically I'm shattered and walking around school is killing me. By Friday I'm a walking zombie and next to useless. Mentally I'm just not focused, I'm doing the minimum to get by and feel like I just chasing my tail all week. OFSTED is looming too so that's also a fear.

I'm trying to stay at school for my year 11's who's exam is fast approaching and the money...

If I left now I would still return the same time but will have to make the cash stretch further. Is forcing myself through the next 3.5 weeks worth an extra month and a half pay?!

Advice please!

Thanks lots for the advice ladies... Went in today will the intentions of talking to my head of dept but bottled it mock tests and assembly took over....

Gonna chat to the midwife at 3 and she what she says. I know I had low iron a few weeks ago so maybe get that checked again.

If I'm off sick after 36 weeks they automatically start my mat pay so if I'm desperate I can just go without notice... I don't want to do that though

It's just so hard!

Pregnancy and childbirth are so bloomin' tough that the phrase should definitely be "woman up".

I would go off now, personally. Go off now, spend a few days batch cooking for the freezer and the rest of your mat leave being a lady of leisure whilst you still can!

Trust me, I work in a school and bottom line is nobody really cares about you. They just want you to get results!! So I wouldn't feel like I owe them anything and just get signed off.

Oh I wish I had started earlier! I don't know who I thought I was trying to impress by soldiering on in the last few weeks of pregnancy. I am now struggling with an eight week old and a back and hips that haven't recovered as a result.

Listen to your body now, you don't get a fresh one after baby arrives!