Need some advice (and a bit of a whinge...)

[givemewaffles]

Hi all,

Just after a bit of advice. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and I'm really starting to struggle at work. I feel ridiculous as I do generally have quite an easy going office job with a lot of flexibility so I feel like I have no right to whinge about it! I am not planned to go off until 7th December so another 5 and a bit weeks. I do struggle with my mental health (and have come off anti depressants whilst being pregnant) and find being in the work environment and around people constantly quite stressful.

I am debating between taking an A/L day one day a week for the rest of the time I am still here or trying to push through for another few weeks and taking my full maternity a little earlier - I just don't want to regret either choice at the other end once the baby is here. We have recently moved house (3 weeks ago) so I feel like there is plenty I could get done if I was off.

does anyone have any experience of anything like this? Apologies as I know this is basically a big rant!

Do it, take the rest days, you won't regret it!
I was in a similar situation this pregnancy (I'm now on mat leave) and felt so much better taking more a/l days around 32-37weeks. I could rest, nest and nap, and if you have a new house I'm sure the extra days now will come in handy!
You will accrue a/l while on mat leave and I wouldn't worry about saving up the leave for the end, preparing yourself for the birth is just as important and the last time you will have as much opportunity to property relax and have a pamper! Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy

I had all these grand ideas of working up til my due date and saving up my a/l so I could add it onto my maternity leave, that's now gone out of the window! 29 weeks and already struggling, new plan is to use my a/l up by either taking one full day or 2 half days every week and start my mat leave at 37 weeks. Boss pointed out to me that as previous poster said I'd still accrue leave on my mat leave and I'd also get bank holidays from my mat leave added on to my a/l.
If that's an option for you then don't feel bad, do it!
I also came off anti depressants for this pregnancy and am fortunate enough to have a pretty flexible office based job. They've been fab but I've felt horribly guilty about taking time off during this pregnancy on top of time off I've had in the past for mental health.
You need to look after yourself mentally and physically and if taking leave every week/starting mat leave early will help take some pressure off while you're settling into a new home and preparing for this amazing but huge change in your life than it's worth it.

As you have an office job that’s quite flexible, do you have the option of working from home? I wfh one day a week at the moment (I’m 22 weeks) but will up this to 2 days a week in a couple of months time. It massively takes the pressure off!

Oh god, take the holiday if you have it!

I wish I had some left, I don't finish until 7/12 either and am due 17/12. I am using my last 5 days of holiday for the week before my due date, but I am definitely at the point where a day off a week would be bliss!

@monkeytoucher We do have the ability to work from home but it has been a bit of a contentious subject recently with people taking the mick so I'm not sure I could really ask for it at the moment (and I don't think I would be massively productive to be honest as I'd rather just laze about haha)
Thanks everyone - I'm going to suggest it to my manager anyway. I keep getting obsessed that I'll want the time at the other end but you're all right about making sure I'm relaxed and rested beforehand too!