When did you finish work?

[beansprout]

I work in an office, in a very preg friendly workplace and my boss is great too. That said, my maternity leave is still a precious commodity and I want to, like many of us, save as much of it until after db is born. Also, although I want a rest before db arrives, I wouldn't be good with 4/5/6 weeks at home, waiting for the event.

So.... am thinking of working to 37 weeks. Am 25 now and so far am having a straightforward preg. Dp happens to work next door so getting to and from work is easy as most days I can get a lift.

Does this sound realistic? What did you do and what would you advise? Many thanks

I worked up until 19 weeks with dd1 when I snapped my achilles tendon. (Note to self: do not play netball while pregnant!!!!) Was totally bored because all I could do was sit around and watch lots of daytime tv. By the time I had recovered from the op, got the cast off and got the all clear from the physio, i was 37 weeks and AS IF i'd go back to work then after being off for 18 weeks!
That said, i woud reckon that about 38 weeks would be a good time to stop, in case db comes early.

TODAY Yippeeeeeee!

Today is my last day at work - 38 weeks tomorrow.
How ever will i cope without mumsnet?

Yeah SC!! I finish on Tuesday!

35 weeks both times. I would've left earlier this time if it wasn't for the stupid SMP! I left at 35 wks with ds, and was admitted to hospital at 37 wks with high BP, then had him at 39wks.

The one thing I will say Beansprout is that at 34wks now I am finding it INCREDIBLY uncomfortable to sit at my PC for longer than 30mins at a time. And with all the sitting my ankles are getting very swollen. So that's always something to consider.

But if you start to feel like you won't make it to 37 wks you can always leave a bit earlier.

One of my friends is due her first the week after me. She has had spotting on and off throughout most of the pregnancy as they think she had a small tear in the placenta. She plans to work until 39 wks even though she has been told to expect an early labour!! Now THAT is unrealistic, but you've had a straight forward pregnancy so far, so go for it!

Incidentally..... I can't WAIT to have nothing to do for a few weeks except nest.

DD1 - gave up 6 weeks before due date, she was 2 weeks late - too long. DD2 - was working the day before she arrived (she was 5 days early, I had planned a couple of days off). I was lucky in having very easy pregnancies and a reaonably flexible job (working from home, going in late etc, not a difficult commute). Somewbere betweeen the two would be the ideal.

Hello, Beansprout, I gave up work when 35 weeks and four days pg - dd born the NEXT DAY - Grrrrrr. No lovely rest, like I'd envisaged.

This time, though, I working till about the same gestation as if baby isn't early I don't want to be off for two months beforehand. I think if you are finding it comfortable to work and enjoying it, may as well carry on. You can always stop earlier than planned if you find it too much. Also, your journey sounds a dream - no horrid Tube to contend with.

i had to give up working at a vet surgery at 28 weeks.....i got too big to climb up to clean the cages, couldn't handle half of the drugs and i got bit on the wrist by a cat with manky teeth that was really scary cos i had to go to hospital for toxoplasmosis blood tests!!! I couldn't go near the xray room. Wasnt allowed in the operating theatre until ages after the operationin case there were any anaesthetic fumes still around......Was getting too dangerous to work there!!

10 days to go, I'm working to 36 1/2 weeks, taking 2 weeks annual leave and then starting maternity at 38 1/2 weeks. I have a long commute there and back. DP also taking a week off the week after I start my maternity leave so if bubs hasn't appeared by then we'll have a nice week off together.

I worked till 39 weeks last time and ended up with 9 days off which was fine but I wouldn't have wanted longer. I only finished when I did because my company's policy was that you had to finish no later than a week before due date.
This time I'm working to 39+2 (unless bubba comes early!). That way I can have till the end of November off paid whereas if I finished earlier I'd have to go back sooner.
I do have maternity cover starting from July 5th (36 weeks) though, just in case.

Message withdrawn

Thank you all so much for posting on here, you have really helped me. I was getting in a tiz about this but feel much better now.

I think I will probably state a later date but use the leave option if I really need to.

Thanks again