I was planning to work until 36 weeks, however I am currently 30+4 and really struggling. I am a health care assistant on a busy/sometimes heavy surgical ward in a hospital. Everyone keeps saying why don't I go on the sick until my leave starts (I'm only getting MA as I haven't worked at my current job long enough for SMP) and my mum and partner have both suggested that maybe I should start my leave just in the new year, I'll be around 33 weeks. But I just feel like I've failed. (Two colleagues are also pregnant and ahead of me and still working until next week or so, however they have both got other children so know how their bodies will roughly cope) I already have pre-existing pelvic and leg issues as it is from a bad accident 10 years ago. The chances are I'll not be returning to my job as much as I'd like to as it is looking like we will be relocating for partners work which means we might be going out of area so it's not like my mat leave will be cut short by going off in the new year.
I'm going to be a FTM and don't feel remotely prepared probably due to the uncertainty of what will be happening etc but just need some reassurance to basically say that I'm being silly to worry myself about it for my own comfort and sanity.