Pregnant with physically demanding job

[leanne9312]

I work as a cook and I'm on my feet some days 9hours and some days 4.
I'm finding it really difficult to be constant and wondering if anyone could relate?
Also when do you think I should realistically take maternity leave?
What would be the outcome if I just carried on struggling (with baby and me)
Any advice would be helpful, thankyou
I'm 21 weeks btw

I work in a busy cafe and I am on my feet all day too. I get a 15 minute break and I dread standing back up after it ! I’m 25 weeks, I’m starting my SMP the week of my due date because I plan on taking 4 weeks annual leave before that. So ideally I’ll work till 36 weeks.. hoping it’ll be easier when it cools down !!

I'm 22 weeks, and a fitness instructor/class leader/personal trainer - so I'm either exercising or being active about 8 hours a day. Personally I'm not struggling (yet!) But you really need to do what's best for you and baby, even if it means taking annual leave or early maternity. I'm planning on reducing my workload from 32 weeks and going off at 37 or 38(but I'm self employed and my other staff are happy to take my clients, so I know I'm really lucky and can go earlier if needed).

I do t have a physically demanding job, but did have a long commute.

I found that I got to a point where I was just done and I knew it was time to go- for me, that was 36 weeks.

Are there any reasonable adjustments that you’re employed could make to make things a bit easier for you? My employer suggested an extra break and would have allowed me to come in later each day to avoid rush hour, but I didn’t need either.

You could ask for a stool (where it’s safe, given your job) and an extra break?

@Cakery I'm with you on getting back up it's horrible I do try and sit but knowing there's so much to do it feels bad, hopefully it will cool down soon!!
I had my daughter 4 weeks early so wondering if I have this one early too although I'll never know!

@Seeyounexttue goodness me!! It must be because I'm so unfit then! Although I do have a bad hip so I guess that's a factor too

@dinosaurkisses I have nearly an hour commute too although it's 2 buses and annoys me

I can sit down when needed just then everything gets set back I work in a private nursery doing lunch and teas with half an hour break for my lunch, so if I stop it all gets set back and I'm the only cook 😕 I get an hour and a half to cook lunch and pudding for 60ish then the same for tea, in between is clearing up and setting tables etc

I'm not on my feet but work in healthcare and do an intensive job with 11-12 hour days.

I'm tempted to go off at 35 weeks - mainly because of the way Christmas falls! My sister said she was off from 36 weeks and super bored though so a bit worried I'll get bored? But she's an incredibly anxious person so would have just worried whilst I (hope) I'll just enjoy relaxing! Also this would involve using leave from the year prior so not Mat leave!