Is anyone sad to be going on maternity leave/finishing work?

[needahugbug]

Hi everyone,
I'm 38+6 and tonight is my last night at work. I work as a firefighter and love my job so much. I've always wanted to be a mum and am looking forward to meeting the baby but I am so upset at the thought of not being at work anymore :( does anyone else feel like this? I am unsure of how it will work with me going back to work after the baby is born due to childcare as my shifts are long and involve night shifts. I'm dreading going in tonight as it's going to be so sad :( I have a second job and finish that on Thursday and even though I don't enjoy that one as much I will still be sad to leave there too.

Hi

I've still got quite a while to go (13+4) but I can understand where you're coming from. I'm head of a global programme and rolling out a new strategy for the next financial year. I've been working on this for so long, it feels like my little baby to coin a phrase, but I'll actually go on maternity leave two weeks after the programme goes live.

I'm pretty sure as sad as I'll be everything will change when the real baby comes.

Hope the shift wasn't too sad.

I also love my job and will be sad to leave (only 22 weeks, but just put my forms in and it's all hitting home!)

Hope your last shift went really well and you felt massively loved and valued.

Everyone says you feel differently once the baby arrives so hopefully that will happen for you and your mat leave will be super lovely and fulfilling. And I hope you figure out a way to sort childcare so you can go back at the level that works for you. (can your DP pick up any of the slack?)

Yes! I've just recruited and filled my cover position, and I got the saddest feeling when introducing her to the rest of the team. I'm definitely going back, but already so sad that I miss out on 9-12 months with my colleagues. I really do love my job and will miss it so much next year.

Hope your last shift goes well!

Similar position to Kent here- leaving my 2 project babies in the hands of others is really hard. I'm 37+1 and finishing Friday. I love my job!

I think a lot of it is about feeling insecure/ things changing. And the fact that parenthood is fast approaching!!

And also need, I don't know about you, but my body is screaming at me to slow down. My brain is willing but my feet are swollen, my back hurts, and I'm shattered. I worked 65 hours last week to get some final bits out of the door. It's basically broken me 😂

Yup - I love my job and my company and will be so sad to leave for a year!

No! With DS1 yes I was and was keen to get back to work. 23 wks with DD1 and need to confirm mat leave in next few weeks. I've decided to leave at Xmas (I'll only be 31 wks) as job is so stressful at the moment. I'm sure I'll be bored but it has to beat what I'm dealing with in the office!

Yes! I am only 18 weeks but I love my job. I work in a school doing a specialist role. I'm worried who will "replace" me whilst I'm gone. The job very much feels "my baby" so I worry what will happen. I also absolutely love the children.
I know once baby is here I probably won't want to go back to work!

I felt the same when I left to have dd. I'm a teacher and it was harder knowing someone was 'taking over' my job. I wasn't a massive fan of maternity leave and returning to work was the right thing for me. Once I returned it was like I never left!

OP, what kind of things do you do in your job when you're heavily pregnant? I'm jealous of you working with all those fire fighter guys!

I was sad to leave work both times. First time I lasted 5.5 months before I went back. I'm currently on maternity leave now and my baby is just over 6 months. I really miss my work but with two little ones I'm trying to take the whole year off.

Yes I finished last week and I love love love my job and it's a really exciting time at work, can't say have switched off yet as am still checking my emails everyday - I'm sure I wil when my baby arrives though!

Yes but I woke up on the first day of mat leave and I honestly never looked back!

Glad I'm not the only one! I've got 4 weeks left and everyone seems to think I'm counting down the days but I'm feeling sad about not seeing colleagues for such a long time and missing out on the projects coming up.