Feel a bit of a failure for needing to take earlier mat leave than planned

[meow1989]

Firstly, I know IABU and my advice to any of my friends would be to listen to your body and take the rest BUT I'm always my own harshest critic 🙄

35 weeks with first baby and have realised today that working till 37 weeks just isn't going to happen. I'm tired, I'm breathless and I can't get comfy during the day. I work in an office so feel a fraud when people manage to continue to 39 weeks with jobs n their feet but I'm tired!

I'm petite and haven't really gained apart from my bump (which is huge, way above 99th centile and measuring about 2 weeks ahead).

I'm also thinking what if he's 2 weeks late, I'll be so bored!!

Don't really know why I'm posting to be honest just feeling a bit down on myself (as in not mood wise just high standard "you should be able to do this") and needed to vent I suppose.

I'm 33 weeks and struggling tbh. I have some leave booked ahead of maternity leave so I am going off and then coming back for a few days. Even then I'm.dreading it and not sure if I can work up until 37weeks as planned.
Listen to your body, people might judge but it dosnt matter, it's your life and your baby and you should do what is best for you both.

@Roomba. Sorry you had a tough pregnancy but I just wanted to mention that being busy/active/"overdoing it" does not cause pre eclampsia! I developed it with my first pregnancy. It's just one of those things that can happen to anyone regardless of whether you're someone who rushes around or takes it easy.

I stopped working at 25 weeks...

Did get a few comments of 'well I worked until I was 38 weeks blah blah'

Genuinely couldn't give a flying rats arse

Honestly, you do what you have to do and ignore any comments and enjoy the peace before the baby arrives :)

I'm going at 34 weeks (3 weeks today!) and tbh, if I had stuff in order, I wouldn't go back on Monday. Due to having all my holidays left, I'm taking 6 weeks before my 18th July due date so maternity leave doesn't actually start until then.

The thought of going any longer than 34 for weeks is madness to me - my bump is also measuring bigger than 90th and my feet are so swollen they barely fit in my shoes. I also work in an office but had to go to London yesterday - was out 13 hours and I feel broken!

Thanks all, you've made me feel better! Spoke to my boss today and we're bringing mat leave and annual leave forward so I finish today!

Have a lovely time OP and good luck with the birthing and everything else to come

Great news.

If you need to feel less guilty about it, remember it's all for the sake of your baby. You're doing this for the baby's well-being via your well-being.

Also if you push yourself when pregnant you'll inevitably end up tired and sick with a bad cold that nobody wants when about to give birth.

Bless you. Go and put your feet up while you can! 💐

Fantastic op , have a lovely rest before the baby comes and enjoy plenty of afternoon naps.

I'm slim, fit, healthy and active, there was nothing medically wrong with me in pregnancy. But, I've never known exhaustion like it. I had to sleep for an hour or so every single afternoon and I could basically only do one lightly physical task a day as it sapped my energy.

When no.2 arrived and demanded to be breast fed ever 45mins 24/7 that was less exhausting 😳

Congratulations! Today's my last day too and I really, really wish I'd gone off earlier. You're absolutely doing the right thing - best of luck!

I worked until 40 weeks with DS1 but am planning on leaving at 31 weeks with this one as it coincides with DS starting school so it saves the hassle of finding someone to take him and pick him up for a matter of weeks before I leave.

Good. Now you can relax and look after yourself and get as much sleep as you can!

I left eight weeks before mine was due and I didn't regret it. Absolutely did not regret it. Got a bit organised, cleaned the house and made and froze some meals, but also relaxed. My child arrived early and I found it quite a shock to the system when the baby arrived so I was so glad I had that rest time before. Don't feel guilty just enjoy it!

I'm about 35 and a half weeks and I have one more week of work but it's only going to be a three day week as using up some annual leave. Even three days feels like a massive struggle, like you I work an office job and really struggling now! I kind of wish I had booked to go off from the end of last week to be honest but it's done now and I'm just about bumbling through. Cannot wait to go on leave and hopefully have a few weeks rest before baby arrives! I feel so done in.

I left at 31 weeks, it was twins though.

Everyone is different and for you if it's getting to hard there is no point torturing yourself trying to make it to 37 weeks

I had mine 6 weeks into maternity leave and I had a nap most days and wasn't ever bored😌

Doing what's best for you is best for baby. I finished work early and was overdue but I loved the time to relax and prepare. I watched TV all day and was happy. I could sleep when I needed to as sleep at night was uncomfortable. Taking time before baby arrives is good as you won't get the rest when they're here. Plus baby could be early. Enjoy the time relaxing, sleeping and having some quiet time to yourself 😊

I’m 22 weeks and thinking of bailing out in next few weeks my hips are agony and I’m so tired I could sleep standing up

I totally get where you are coming from. I intend to work up to 37 weeks but at almost 33 I’m struggling. Commute 45 mins to work and not home till 7.30/8.

I feel stupidly guilty about stopping work before I give birth as I can’t teally afford to take as much leave as I’d like and feel like i should save the time off for the baby not me. But I know I’m going to really struggle over the next few weeks. Sore hips. Breathless. Not sleeping. Grrrr

I suppose we need to think that if we are better physically and mentally we will be in better shape for the baby. This will be the last three week period I will ever get to spend on my own with no responsibilities until I retire! Should really make the most of it!