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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How many weeks before due date did you finish work?

64 replies

Jellybabie3 · 10/05/2017 08:09

I am due 23rd September. I was thinking of finishing at the end of August, which will allow me time off (with annual leave) until 1st October 2018 but i am not sure 3 weeks is enough before? I have no idea obviously how i am going to feel - i am currently approaching 21 weeks. I am just aware i will need to let work know soonish

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BentleyBelly · 10/05/2017 14:37

36 weeks with my first, planned 38 but bought it forward as I was struggling. I really enjoyed the last 4 weeks chilling out. My current contract runs out at 34 weeks this time around and its perfect timing for my first starting school so I will be stopping work then to concentrate on dd and having some time to relax with her at school before new baby.

InDubiousBattle · 10/05/2017 14:47

38 weeks with my first. I wished I'd held on another week (I was self employed and could have booked events for another week but didn't) as I felt really well and I could have made more money! I became a SAHM so didn't have mat leave with dd but would have chosen to stop much earlier as I was so uncomfortable, big and knackered.

savagehk · 10/05/2017 14:52

erm. Up to 'due date' with both of them. Busy waiting for #2 to make an appearance. I went to 40+19 with the first so was glad I didn't take more time off. Desk based job with easy commute and no pregnancy complications though.

EllebellyBeeblebrox · 10/05/2017 14:54

Was nursing on the ward with my first, went up to 37weeks. It was a very physical job, pushing beds, helping patients mobilise, and one occasion when I had to climb on to a bed to give chest compressions. She was a week late though so I had lots of time to test. With number two I was community based so in an office, went to 38 weeks. Had one day with dd and took her swimming and waters broke the next morning!!! Was gutted in a way that he was early as I had hoped for a few weeks with dd, but they come when they're ready. Good luck and enjoy it

ineedwine99 · 10/05/2017 14:56

I finished a week before my due date. Office job, not too stressful and i was lucky i wasn't really tired. That week at home before baby arrived i wished i was at work as bored

NerdyBird · 10/05/2017 15:04

I finished at 37 weeks, and had booked a week of leave before mat leave officially started. I finished on the friday and baby was born on tuesday, nearly 3 weeks early. Very glad I didn't go any longer at work!

SummerRayne17 · 10/05/2017 15:05

With my first, I worked up until 38 weeks with no issues, but with this baby I am finishing at 35wks (next week! ) I have severe SPD, so in a lot of pain and hardly sleeping, plus very swollen ankles/feet, every day is such a struggle. It looks like I may be having an ECS now due to Breech baby and if so, lo will possibly be born within 3/4 weeks of me finishing work. Im going to use these last few weeks to rest as much as possible and finish off any last minute bits to prepare for lo's arrival.

Littlejayx · 10/05/2017 15:15

I'm pregnant with my first, I want to finish 6 weeks before due date, This is not because my job is stressful (Office based, lovely chairs) but because my date to move into my new house is 6 weeks before due date! I want time to get things sorted and have some time in the house, as we have spent the whole pregnancy living with DP's parents.

Is this too long?

savagehk · 10/05/2017 15:39

littlejay given the house move that sounds reasonable, but remember babies can also be 2 weeks late and still be in 'normal' limits, so you might be off for 2 months. So, I'd suggest having some things you'd 'like to do' in case you are off for 2 months, to stop you going nuts, but equally things that won't be too important if you don't get round to them (babies can come at 37 weeks too, so then you'd only have been off 3 weeks!).

My own anecdata is that I was late and my mother was induced with me at 10 days over and I was exactly the same size as my firstborn... so ask your mother and use that as your first 'guess' as to whether yours will be early / late.

Newmrs22 · 10/05/2017 15:40

I went off at 36 weeks and it was bliss. I loved relaxing and I'd definitely do it again.

JaxingJump · 10/05/2017 15:45

I worked the day I went into labour on 2 of my 3. But I'm self employed and work from my desk at home. My clients were fine with me doing that but Luckily they all arrived on a Sat or Sun!

oliversmummy26 · 10/05/2017 16:48

With my first I officially stared mat leave on my due date (as far as I'm aware this is the absolute latest mat leave can start) but had a week's holiday before that and worked from home for a week before that.

With this one, because of where my due date falls (10th September) I am finishing at 34 weeks (so that I can be at home with DS over the summer holidays) having two week's annual leave then starting mat leave at 36 weeks.

If it weren't for the holidays I would probably finish work around 36/37 weeks, but it will cost me too much in childcare for 6 weeks and seemed to work out well for us this way.

MaroonPencil · 10/05/2017 16:51

I went off at 38 weeks because I wanted the longest possible maternity leave with DC1. Second time I went off at 34 weeks because I wanted quality time with DC1 before DC2 came along, and I knew it was very unlikely that I would go back.

INeedToEat · 10/05/2017 17:10

I knew I would be induced at 37 weeks. I wanted as much time with baby after the birth as possible before going back to work so left the day before the induction.

DavidPuddy · 10/05/2017 17:16

34 weeks, which is a legal requirement in Germany. The first two weeks were spent recovering and retrospectively I was working myself too hard before I left. I liked having the time to wind down before the baby came.

tootsieglitterballs · 10/05/2017 17:19

5 weeks as I had loads of holiday to use , plus it was Christmas and the thought of being able to enjoy it without work was too appealing! Baby ended up being 9 days late - longest 9 days of my life!

Chippednailvarnishing · 10/05/2017 17:27

Planned to finish at 38 weeks, developed pre-eclampsia at lunchtime at 35+5, delivered 35+6 the next day.

Mummyh2016 · 10/05/2017 18:40

I'm finishing at 36+5. Currently 34+3 and I'm ready to leave.

samatamfabahaba · 10/05/2017 18:55

I finished at 36 weeks, my replacement was in place and I had literally NOTHING to do and it was driving me insane being so bored. I'm loving being off, into my second week now and the sunshine is making me very happy with my decision!!

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 10/05/2017 19:05

Great advice, thank you all

OP posts:

dippypanda · 10/05/2017 22:16

With my first I took 4 weeks annual leave before due date but then she was induced two weeks after due date so was bored for 6 weeks!
This time I've saved holiday again but I'm doing a phased leave by taking two days holiday per week until due date for 6 weeks beforehand as I know I'll be tired and have a stressful job but don't want to bored at home. Plus it'll be during the summer holiday so get to spend some quality time with my daughter before baby comes.

purpleviolet1 · 11/05/2017 08:28

Originally planned to finish at 38 weeks, but was consultant led and had GD as well so decided to finish at 36 weeks. So glad I did! Physically I was getting exhausted and just needed to relax. Baby arrived 1.5 weeks later and I wasn't really ready because I wasn't expecting it to be over 2 weeks early. Think 36 weeks is a 'nice' time to finish. I was in an office job with 20min commute (driving).

FiftyShadesOfDuckEggBlue · 11/05/2017 12:58

One week before due date. But I was allowed to work flexibly from home and avoided travelling on the tube during rush hour. I could tell people were a little uncomfortable when I was turning up into meetings, lol. It also meant that people were unclear about when I was off and a little before I left I received two invitations to attend meetings that would have been held on my due date!

Itsjustaphase2016 · 11/05/2017 13:26

In the nicest possible way, is work the only thing you can think of to do to prevent boredom?! I never understand people who want to go to work otherwise they'll go crazy with boredom! You can use it to do stuff you enjoy, visit people and places,embark on a project...especially as it's your first baby and presumably you don't have anyone else to look after. I waited 6 weeks after finishing work for ds1 and I loved it! Swam everyday, did loads of baking, walked for miles across London, went to pretty much every museum and art exhibition going,read about 3 novels a week. Not once did I wish I was at work to ease the boredom!

gigi556 · 11/05/2017 13:48

I'm 38 weeks now and finished 2 weeks ago at 36 weeks. I was DONE. I didn't think I'd be bored at home as I'm not a sit around and do nothing type of person, but I'm not as mobile as the PP! Wish I was comfortable enough to walk for miles. My PGP hasn't been too bad the last couple of days though and I seem to have a burst of energy. Been in the garden this morning and I'm now treating myself to lunch in a local cafe.

I can't see why anyone would want to work up until the last minute. Even if you do get bored, it's better than being at work IMO. Also, I feel so much more relaxed now I've been able to just be at home and sort everything out. I'm feeling ready and relaxed. Could have the baby tomorrow or in a few weeks. We shall see what happens!

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