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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

34 weeks to early to start mat leave.

24 replies

Mummykaz90 · 11/01/2019 02:41

So I originally wanted to start mat leave at 36 weeks even though both my other children have been born at 36 weeks. But I've just requested work to start it 34 weeks which is this week coming as I'm exhausted. I work in a care home for children with severe disabilities and work 12 and half hour night shift's. Doing nightly half hour checks on children up 2 flights of stairs is killing me. Plus then comimg home and dealing with my other 3 children. I do have 5 weeks annual leave which I plan to take at the end of my mat leave so it gives me a extra month off with Lil one. But question is should I start the mat leave now or just try and plod on?

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Butteredghost · 11/01/2019 02:44

I would do it! I started at 35 and I wish I started earlier. And I don't even have three other kids at home. Unless it's going to cause a big issue for you money wise, why bust yourself.

My boss seemed surprised and said most people work until 38 weeks. I simply told her, I won't be doing that!

Original poster

Mummykaz90 · 11/01/2019 02:52

@Butteredghost thanks. No its not really going to effect me money wise as I'm paid a month behind so kind of equals out anyway. Thiers no way I could work till 38 weeks. I don't think It would be so bad if I was doing a desk job maybe but mine is quite physical lost of deep cleans and hoisting of young people throughout night. I really thought I could atlas make it till 36 weeks which is only 3 weeks away for me but I've developed horrible pain in my hips and thighs struggling to sleep because of it let alone walk..

Can I ask why u wish u had started earlier and how did u find it

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Hopehope20 · 11/01/2019 04:12

Do it! Blimey your job sounds hard work....I am impressed you are still able to do that. I went at 34 weeks and I just work in an office (albeit very stressful). I constantly questioned if it was the right thing to do but I am so happy I did. My son was born at 39 weeks and the 5 weeks before he arrived were pure bliss. I was able to relax for the first time in years and really sort everything out for his arrival. Now he is here I don't get a single minute for anything and I know now that I would have been gutted not to have had that time if I worked longer.

I know you have 3 children so your mat leave wouldn't be as relaxing as mine...but even so....Just do it and look after yourself until the end of your pregnancy. I was so exhausted at that point there is no way in hell I could have worked like you are doing. Big respect!

Butteredghost · 11/01/2019 05:45

Can I ask why u wish u had started earlier and how did u find it

Just because I could have financially, and those last few weeks were a real struggle. I considered starting earlier but I was a bit embarrassed and thought I might be bored. But no one cared/noticed and I wasn't bored at all. I work in health care too and being on my feet all day and lifting heavy patients was really tough.

WinterWife · 11/01/2019 10:13

Do it! Your job sounds such hard work for someone not pregnant. I'd left at 36 weeks but wish I'd gone earlier due to the hip pain and just how tired I was.

FE1984 · 11/01/2019 10:15

I had my baby a 35 weeks so I completely missed out on maternity leave! Personally I'd do it! Good luck!

GlossyTaco · 11/01/2019 10:20

I worked as a SEN TA during my last pregnancy. I went on maternity leave at 34 weeks. Absolutely no regrets here , I'd go for it.

SpottedTiger · 11/01/2019 10:20

I also work in a physically demanding job and will be taking mine at 34 weeks too, I'm already exhausted at 27 weeks and want a chance to recover before baby arrives.

Woodward12 · 11/01/2019 10:21

I went at 36 weeks and was so glad - plus my SPD wasn't (quite) as bad once I had slowed down. I used annual leave for the first couple of weeks.

I would do it if it seems right to you - my thinking was that I don't want to be absolutely exhausted when I've then got to get everything sorted for the baby, oh and give birth.

Springmummy19 · 11/01/2019 10:21

If they let me I'm hoping to be done by 23 weeks, have a month off as holiday and then start Mat leave from the the 1st of April so I'm still getting a normal months wage and then may pay will start(which is shit) but It will massively help as I work 25 miles war from home.

Springmummy19 · 11/01/2019 10:22

*32 weeks not 23. Doh!

Endofrelationship · 11/01/2019 10:25

I went on annual leave at 34 weeks, officially start mat leave next week at 36. It's been wonderful. DS has been at nursery and I've been in full nest mode. I've cleaned, organised, tidied and napped!

Absolutely no regrets at going off early.

ReginaPhalange89 · 11/01/2019 10:26

I would definitely do it, sounds like a physically demanding job. You need to rest, especially if you're having pain now. And if your previous babies were early this one could be too. Listen to your body .

No one knows how they're going to feel towards the end. I planned to finish at 38 weeks last baby , my job was no where near as physical as yours , but I just got so tired and fed up and couldn't concentrate at work at all, so ended up finishing a few weeks earlier than planned

jent85 · 11/01/2019 10:37

Definitely do it!

I went on Mat leave at 35 weeks - one colleague made a snarky comment about it - but ended up spending my 36th week in hospital and baby was born at 37 weeks so only got 1 week "chilling" (worst week ever with no sleep, back pain, slap bang in the middle of a heatwave.....)

Next time (ha!) Id go even earlier

Good luck and congratulations x

user1471426142 · 11/01/2019 10:52

Do it. I’ve only got an office job but I’m struggling and will be off by 35 weeks. I don’t know how some people manage to get to 38/39 weeks. One of my friends worked to 40 - I think some people just seem to have easier pregnancies than others.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 11/01/2019 10:53

I went on ml at 30 weeks! When you're ready you're ready lol

blondeirishmummy84 · 11/01/2019 11:00

Wow well done for even getting this far! With such a physically demanding job I would probably go off at 34 weeks and spend a few weeks self indulging, nesting and resting! You need time to yourself too.

Original poster

Mummykaz90 · 11/01/2019 12:47

Thanks all for tour kind words. Guess I just didn't want to feel lazygoing off so early. But I Deffo do need it. I've just spoken to my boss and confirmed it to do my last 2 night shifts tonight and tomorrow and then start mat leave. I still have plenty of things to do around the house to prepare for Lil ones arrival and pass the time. I really don't know how some ladies can work till last minute. I thought I would be able to at the time. Little did I know all these aches and pains was going to hit me full force. Even now as I'm typing this I'm suppose to be sleeping for my shift tonight and lol low and behold hip pain is so uncomfortable I've got no chance God I know I shouldn't moan but I'm so ready for all this to be over this time. I hope all you lovely ladies are doing okay x

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WhiteWashGails · 11/01/2019 13:35

I left at 24 weeks (I think, or 23?) and I’ve been bored off my noggin for ages but I. A hairdresser and I really felt I couldn’t carry on. I was sick til 24 weeks too

user1471426142 · 11/01/2019 14:07

You are certainly not lazy! It is far harder with other children at home, you have a physical job and have had early babies before. I’m amazed you were trying to get to 36 weeks to be honest. I think lots of people in your shoes would have been on mat leave already. Hope you manage to get some time to rest once those last two shifts are over.

emma911030 · 11/01/2019 14:24

I don't officially start my mat leave until 36 weeks however I was signed off at 32 ish as I travel 40 mins each way to my job and it's very hands on physical work and I was honestly struggling with the 14 hour days (including the travel). Yes I am now a little bored, however in myself I feel much better, I was completely exhausted even just working 3 days a week and was in lots of pain from being on my feet/rolling/hoisting etc so I know it was absolutely the right decision! You have to do what's best for you and your baby. You don't want to be exhausted before they even arrive! x

Charlottejade89 · 11/01/2019 16:12

I had to go off at about 33 weeks too, working on a busy hospital as a healthcare assistant. I was sent home one day as I had terrible hip pain and my feet and ankles were both swollen like tree trunks and so i decided to just make that ny last day. I am bank staff so i was finding that warda were refusing to have me for being pregnant as well

mrsed1987 · 11/01/2019 17:16

I was just over 34 weeks but i am.on annual leave rather than maternity as i had 4 weeks to take. It seems early but actually the time has gone quickly

Bellabear81 · 11/01/2019 19:32

I’m early on in my pregnancy but I already know I want to go on mat leave at 34 / 35 weeks. I work long hours in a stressful job so I definitely want some time watching rubbish films and nesting. It probably won’t happen like that but that’s what I’m aiming for.

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