When's a good time to finish work?

[jenny7722]

Hi all :)

How many weeks before your due date did you finish work? I work in an office so it's nothing strenuous, however I do want a little break for myself before little one arrives.

Any tips?

It will be different for everyone depending on job role, how the pregnancy is going etc. I had an easy office job but a 2hr commute each way. I finished at 37 weeks which included a week AL. I had a very easy pregnancy and luckily no complication s, I only finished at 37 weeks as it was over Xmas and just fancied the time off. And I was starting to worry that I could go into labour 2 hours away from home or while on the train! DS was over a week late and I was sooooo bored sitting around waiting for him to come. If I have a second baby and things go smoothly then I'd leave it another week or 2. Plus I don't have the long commute anymore.

I finished at just under 36 weeks, using a bit of leave to take it up until after Xmas. It's a desk job but train travel involved too - really bad SPD and it's affecting my sleep, shattered at this point, wouldn't have managed much longer! Due mid Jan.

Looking forward to catching up on sleep a bit, getting hospital bag sorted, tidying, making some freezer meals, preparing for labour etc!

I prefer to work up to the end so I can have as much time with baby during 6 months maternity leave. Left on a Wednesday at 39 weeks 5 days. Went into labour 2 days later. One was due on 7 jan so finished up on Xmas eve due to wanting Xmas off with other children and born Hogmanay. First 2 I had at uni so no maternity leave. A week off before back to class. Getting time to relax before the birth is good but there is less time after baby is born

I finished about 2.5 weeks before my due date, I was only working 3 (or 4?) days by then, I'm a hairdresser so on my feet a lot. Would probably leave it longer if I have another one, probably easier at work than at home 😂

I really think it depends on how you're feeling.

I'm stubborn and a busy body. I was convinced I would finish work 2 weeks maximum before baby was due. I wanted to save as much of my maternity leave as possible (I didn't get much).

I got to 4 weeks and couldn't get out of bed all weekend as I was just exhausted. My husband told me off and said I was to finish work ASAP. I worked one day, said my goodbyes and spent most of the time snoring on the sofa until my daughter was born.

I finished at 30 weeks! I was fed up,knackered and just wanted out

I used my annual leave to essentially work "part time" for the last 2-3 weeks because I was so tired! Finished at 38/40.

I work in an office and planning to go up to 37+4.... thats the plan anyway, got one week AL booked in and officially starting mat leave on 29th.

Thats the plan anyway

I'm planning to keep going until 36 weeks, I have a very active FT job so hope that's realistic!

With my first i intended to have a month off for myself and finish at 36 weeks (only an office job too) as i was also doing a full time uni course and thought i would use that time to do assignments, as it was i gave birth at just about 37 weeks and therefore my month to myself did not happen! This time around i intend to work as closely to my due date as possible so am thinking of maybe leaving at 38 weeks. I know that things may change nearer the time but i want as much time off afterwards as i will need to return to work when money runs out as im a single parent and wont have any one else to rely on. A lottery win would be nice

I’m a teacher and working until 38 weeks. No annual leave to tag on so every week I’m off is a week of my maternity that’s lost.

I made it to 38 weeks with my DS so hoping I can keep going this time. Although I’m 26 weeks at the minute and really struggling with PGP so will have to see.

Same as bingbunny, I felt that every week I took before was a week less with baby and I'm also a teacher, with a 45 minute commute each way. It worked out really well for me with the xmas holidays though and I technically started my maternity leave on my due date cos it was the first day back after Xmas So I worked up to 38 weeks.

Currently contemplating aiming for another one mid September so I can do the same again but with the summer holidays.

Yeh I’ve got a 45 minute commute too. I will get half term at 36 weeks so have a week rest (well running round after a toddler) and then go back into school for 2 weeks where I’m hoping for a lighter timetable!

37 weeks with DC1 he was 1 week overdue. Loved the 4 week break.

Using 4 weeks leave to finish at 36 weeks this time.

I finished at 35 weeks to the day. Probably could have worked until 36 as I felt fine that first week. Tiredness then hit me and I've been having afternoon naps since! I've been pretty busy rushing around getting things sorted for Christmas though. If it was at another time of year I'd say 36 weeks would be a good time to leave.

1st pregnancy worked up until 36 weeks but took the following 4 weeks as my annual leave.
2nd pregnancy I worked up until 40 weeks

I was supposed to leave at 38 Weeks, however working as a nursery nurse I was really beginning to struggle after 30 weeks and especially in the heat that we had this summer. I ended up leaving at 36 Weeks and it's a good job too as my little one came a little early.

First I had a holiday booked for 34-36 weeks so decided I wouldn't go back after that. Full on, on feet job which I wouldn't of wanted to do any longer. In the end my maternity cover was hired early and in place by 30 weeks, I handed everything over and took an extra 2 weeks holiday so stopped at 32 weeks.

I finished at 30 weeks as my contract ended and obviously couldn’t find temp work for the last few weeks of pregnancy! It ended up being for the best anyway though, as I had complications and ended up having 2-3 appointments every bloody week.
Next time assuming it’s less complicated I’d probably stop around 34 weeks. It’s good to get a bit of rest in.

Lunchtime the day before I had him! I gave myself a whole afternoon!!

Finishing tomorrow at 36 weeks and man am i ready for it!! I think with the added stress and rush of xmas and everything i'm just shattered.