Finished work for Maternity Leave

[Becksy007]

I have finished work for maternity as I have bad sciatica and it was over an hour drive to work each way but I am soooooo boreddddd!!
I have only been off for a week now but I'm finding I can't sleep at all as my brain isn't getting enough activity through the day and I can't do much exercise to tire me out; 22 days till due date, I'm tearing my hair out, help!!!!

Why don't you research local parent/baby groups and activities? I had a "timetable" on my fridge which I referred to. I didn't go to them every day, but it was nice to know that there was somewhere I could go if I wanted to get out of the house.

both my babies were a bit early, so I had very little baby-free maternity leave. But I managed to see an exhibition I wanted to see with o r child, and went to the cinema with the other. And I swam with both.

Do you have a freezer full of meals ready? Not compulsory, but makes life with s newborn much easier.

I assume this is your first then? I am 36 weeks with a 4 and 2 year old at home and I'm daydreaming of how wonderful it was when I had a completely free mat leave to doss around and get bored - enjoy it!
Alternatively - have you got any baby stuff to organise or projects you wanted to finish, batch cooking?
If not, seriously just grab some lovely snacks and either watch a new boxset or grab a book, got for a little walk and enjoy just being the most lazy you have ever been and make the most of it!
(Sorry if that's not what you want to hear but that's what I'd love to go back and say to myself!!)

Is there any kind of "work"you need to tie up? E.g.; annual CPD report, which completely floored me with a 4 month old baby!

Parent groups don't really satisfy me, just a different 4 walls...
My first, and I can't wait to have my time filled up! All of her things are organised and re-organised, my first week off got me on top of everything.
No work to catch up on at all.
Need to learn to embrace laziness...

You may find that your needs, and views on parent groups, may change a little in the next few weeks. I was in a very similar position, and of similar mind set this time 9 years ago. They turned out to be a lifesaver. I'm just saying not to write them off. And they are certainly not all inside 4 walls!

Yes, embrace the boredom for the last few days you have

Agree with pp about doing some batch cooking for meals afterwards

Go for a pregnancy massage - I've got one lined up for Friday or something of a similar ilk. Pamper yourself for a little bit.

With DD1 I was off 6 weeks as she was overdue by two weeks and like you found I was bored, couldn't relax etc eventually found ways to pass the time.

This time round - I seem to have no time at all and working till almost due date. But I've made a conscious effort to get some pamper time

A massage is definitely up my street! I will definitely look into some relaxation and pampering for myself!

For today, I've reupholstered the dining table chairs. Hopefully time starts passing a little more quickly

I started maternity leave yesterday at 33 weeks, mainly as struggling so much with anaemia (first 4 weeks are annual leave). I had a lazy day planned today... so far my 4 year old and I have painted for a couple of hours, walked the dog, done a food shop, visited the library, visited mil in hospital for a few hours. I've just sat done and am shattered! Enjoy the peace as it is the last time in your life you will ever have it! I'm counting down the weeks until he starts school and hoping I get a couple of weeks of laziness before baby makes an appearance as DS was born at 27 weeks so didn't get chance last time.

My last day was last Wed and I'm bored already. Teaching myself a language with Duolingo (yes, really) and watching stuff on Netflix. There's actually lots of baby stuff still to sort but I'm too knackered at 36+w

Read a book
Go to the cinema
Have a long bath
Go for a cup of coffee

All things that are much harder with baby

Find a breastfeeding support group (if you're planning to breastfeed)
Work out how to sterilise bottles and make a bottle (incase breastfeeding doesn't work, easier to work out when you brain is fully functioning rather than sleep deprived/ new baby stage)
Work out what pump/steriliser/bottles you like the look of so you can buy later if needed save them in your amazon basket