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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Office Job - When did you go on Mat Leave?

66 replies

Rooroo1012 · 06/09/2018 13:05

I work in an office, at a desk all day.

My Mat Leave doesn't start for another 6 weeks and I'm due in 7 weeks so working until I'm 39w.

My job is really easy but I'm finding the last couple of weeks so difficult. I'm extremely tired all the time and my brain doesn't seem to be working correctly. I'm so forgetful and have no motivation except to sleep.

I thought I'd have more energy to keep going until my Leave starts but I'm really struggling.

Anyone else in the same or similar boat?

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Britta1 · 06/09/2018 13:23

My maternity leave is starting on my due date but i have saved annual leave so I am finishing at 36 and a half weeks. I have 6 more weeks left to work and feel the same as you in that I’m struggling to keep focussed/motivated! Is using leave not a option for you to finish a bit earlier?

coldestwinter · 06/09/2018 13:33

Today is my last day and I'm 35.5 with DD2, and only work part time but I find the actual sitting for long periods then standing is what's getting to me, it's so painful! I am possibly being induced in a week and a bit though so I'm pleased in the end that I'm finishing now. I think people assume an office job should be easy, but i don't think any job in late pregnancy is easy!

Thegirlhasnoname · 06/09/2018 13:56

My mat leave starts at 38 weeks but thankfully have used up left over leave beforehand so I finish at 35+5. Very glad now because I’m starting to struggle with really bad brain fog and get uncomfortable really quickly when sitting for periods of time, not to mention the commute is horrendous.
Only two weeks left to go for me now. Can’t wait!

Original poster

Rooroo1012 · 06/09/2018 14:08

I've used all my leave up throughout the year for half terms/summer holidays. I already have a DS in school so have to save my leave for all his dreaded time off! LOL

I've got SPD as well so the sitting for long periods is awful. I feel asleep during my lunch break for 40minutes!

Yes, I think a lot of people assume you'll be fine because its 'just an office job' but we need to engage our brains and at the moment my brain and body just want to sleep sleep sleep!

Looks like I'm going to have to ride it out or at least nap in between the phone ringing! Haha

OP posts:

usernotfound0000 · 06/09/2018 15:48

Yep. I went on leave at 38 weeks last time, and will be finishing at 37 this time - only because I'm having ELCS which they will do at 39 weeks. Currently just walking from my car to the office (about 5 minutes!) is killing me. Only 31 weeks, so still 7 left, can't come soon enough.

GnTplease · 06/09/2018 16:28

I m finished last Friday at 37 weeks and the last two weeks were really hard going. Long walk from car park to office, four flights of stairs and sitting at a desk all day with nasty PGP was tough...add that to a lack of sleep at night and I really did crawl to the end. In hindsight/next time if there is one, I'll aim to finish a week or two earlier. Hope the last bit goes quickly for you, do what you can and cut yourself some slack.

HairyAntoinette · 06/09/2018 16:29

I wish I'd finished earlier. Left late Friday... Preemie born Monday. I had no time to prepare and wasn't mentally ready.

Nothisispatrick · 06/09/2018 17:08

I’m finishing tomorrow when I’ll be 36 weeks. I work in a school office so it’s incredibly busy, up and down constantly, reception type duties standing on my feet, my hips are killing me and I can’t wait to finish.

LucyLou19 · 06/09/2018 17:10

I fonished today at 38 weeks and I have an active job xx

MaverickSnoopy · 06/09/2018 17:25

First pregnancy I finished at 38 weeks. It was fine at the time because DH was taking me to/from work and because when I got home I could rest.

Second pregnancy I finished at 28 weeks on sick leave (pgp and sciatica so bad that even crutches wouldn't work), then started annual leave at 35 weeks and maternity leave at 39 weeks. I think it was harder this time because I already had a child and so not as much respite.

Currently pregnant with my third and am 35+5. I finished at 29 weeks which was the start of the summer holidays (I work term time only) and am now on annual leave before starting maternity leave at 38 weeks. Interestingly in my current post I work from home and so no commuting. I've had pgp and sciatica in this pregnancy too but once I stopped working it became much better. I really found on my working days I was much worse because of all the sitting. Now I've stopped working I've drastically improved....although today has taken it out of me and I'm currently crashed out on the sofa in pain.

Have you had an occupational health referral? I had one in my second pregnancy and they implemented steps to make sure I was taking regular breaks that my manager wasn't previously supportive of.

Mummyh2016 · 06/09/2018 18:33

Maternity leave started day after my due date, I finished at 36+5 though and used AL.

Grimbles · 06/09/2018 18:40

I finished at 37 weeks. DS decided to turn up 2 weeks early so had no time to slob out with my feet up get everything sorted. This time I am finishing at Christmas which is 33 weeks, taking all my leave and starting maternity leave proper at 38 weeks.

Original poster

Rooroo1012 · 06/09/2018 18:52

I definitely think if I have another I’ll finish at 35 weeks. My first pregnancy I did but i didn’t have any problems like spd, my body is really struggling this time around.
It’s not long to go, I hope it doesn’t drag.
I work 10 miles away from where I live as well which is a pain in the butt when I’ve got an antenatal appointment near home. End up driving back on myself later that morning and then drive back to work when done! It’s all exhausting! Keep telling myself the end is near!...We can do this

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captainshortie · 06/09/2018 18:55

Im planning on finishing at 37+4 (i hope) taking a weeks annual leave whichll take me too 38+4 and starting mat leave offically on the monday 38.7.

I work in an office too, but im up and down constantly, proper head boggle and can be quite mentally and physically demanding(not that im lifting anything) just walking aboutwise.
Id originally planned to not come back after christmas but my mam goes "its only an office job" so i changed my plans haha silly i know!

aetw · 06/09/2018 18:58

I’m finishing at 35+3 but I have a physical job.

TulipsInBloom1 · 06/09/2018 18:58

I think you should ask for another Pregancy Risk Assesment and a DSE Assesment. This would probably result in you being allowed to take many more screen breaks and regular periods to get up and walk around/go get a bit of fresh air.

Treacletoots · 06/09/2018 19:02

I planned to work until 38 weeks but exactly the same as you I was so so tired. I negotiated an early finish at about 36 weeks which coincided with Christmas anyway so I got an extra couple of weeks pay than expected. Probably for the best as I got pre eclampsia shortly after and ended up in hospital until she was born anyway!

pinkhorse · 06/09/2018 19:05

I was due on a Sunday so I worked until the Friday before then ds was born on the Wednesday

OliveOrTwist · 06/09/2018 19:53

I finish tomorrow (can't wait!) I'm 39 weeks on Saturday. At times its been a real hard slog but I've found my energy has been up and down, so some weeks felt like I'd never manage and the next 2 would be breeze. I'm suffering with spd so I've spent alot more time desk bound but I think its been good for me to keep occupied. The pregnancy has flown by!

Bluebellysmell · 06/09/2018 20:05

I started at exactly 39 weeks, the same day as my planned CS.
I had 2 days time off in lieu that I had to use up or lose so took those the two days before.

Mhcb · 06/09/2018 21:45

I am will be finishing work 9 weeks tomorrow when I will be 34+5 due to annual leave I need to take before i finish and my maternity leave starts at 38 weeks x

sexnotgender · 07/09/2018 07:14

Thankfully I’m due in January so can factor the Xmas break in and the apparent fact that contractors get kicked out in the 2 weeks leading up to Xmas too! So hopefully I’ll be working from home from about 33 weeks.

PasstheStarmix · 07/09/2018 07:19

By law you’re meant to go off two week before due date, I’m not sure if this includes private employers though. I want off at 34 weeks but saved annual leave and had bank holidays so it was like 37 weeks really. it wasn’t a good place to work so I was well ready to go. If I had my time again I’d have gone off sooner as I ended up not going back after maternity!

PasstheStarmix · 07/09/2018 07:20

went*

Kintan · 07/09/2018 07:22

36 weeks for me actually finishing work , but my work shuts for 10 days over Christmas, and then I took a week’s leave so my actual maternity leave didn’t start until 38 weeks. If you are really struggling now, I’d suggest going on mat leave now and have some decent rest before your baby arrives. Good luck with everything :)

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