Am I crazy to try to work til 39 weeks with 40 min commute?

[Podemos]

Trying to decide what to put down as my leaving date for maternity. Ideally I want minimal time off before the baby arrives but as it's my first, I've no idea how I'll feel.

Thought I'd settled on going at 39 weeks with the view that I could always go earlier if struggling. But now I'm wondering if that's a stupid idea as I drive 40 minutes to work. DH could come and pick me up if labour started quickly at work but it would take him about 50 mins to get to me, then 40 minutes home.

Then I think I'll really regret going earlier if I'm sat at home for weeks on end, going overdue with a slow build up to labour.

Any advise on how you've made the decision?

I went off at 37 weeks with DS and was 1 week overdue. Going at 36 weeks this time. Sister had her 1st last year. Same commute as you. Worked until 39+3 weeks had baby at 39+5 🤣

I stopped work at 37 weeks. By 39 weeks I could no longer fit my bump under the wheel. I was induced at 42 weeks and was climbing the walls with boredom by that time.

I thought I'd work right up until 38 weeks, then take 2 weeks' annual leave to take me up to my due date before mat leave started. Actually I'm working up until 37 weeks, taking 2 weeks' leave and then starting mat leave at 39 weeks. It won't be a moment too soon for me, I'm exhausted. Felt fine until I was about 31-32 weeks, but since going back after Christmas I'm struggling to sleep and a lot more tired and uncomfortable. Have even contemplated bringing my leave forward again but am going to try to stick it out. I felt fine energy wise prior to Christmas so it hit really quickly.

I think everyone is different and will feel differently about it. I'd book it with an open mind that you may want to bring it forward if needs be. My work were happy to be really flexible about that as my maternity cover was already in place, for which I'm grateful.

I'm planning to work up to 39 weeks. I have a commute of around 70 mins on train/tube (Londoner...) and most people at my work/in pregnancy yoga seem to do a similar thing. I asked HR when would be a reasonable time and they said 38-39 weeks was what people usually did, and then put in AL until the due date. So that's what I'm doing but I have said I'll go earlier if it starts to become a struggle. I'm 31 weeks ATM and it's fine right now, but realise anything could happen in next 6 weeks or so. I honestly think it would be considered odd if someone went off before 38 and a half weeks and didn't have any complications, or it didn't come early.

Disclaimer: I am doing one day a week WFH and my work place are totally fine with me doing more from home if I need to, just need to text them in the morning.

I am 35+3 and pooped. I’m also recovering from the flu though.

But everyone is different I know lots of people that worked till the very end.

If you went into labour at work, surely someone would take you home/to the hospital for dh to meet you there? They aren't gonna just watch you sat in the staff room in pain! Even if they drive your car.

I had a similar commute to you and worked up to 39 weeks. DD came at 41 weeks so I was glad I didn't finish any earlier. At the same time, my colleague's DS came at 39 weeks - she was at work when contractions started. Managed to get herself home but she delivered DS on the bathroom floor just as her DH got home. I guess it just depends on your attitude to risk (and that you continue to feel comfortable driving).

I had my first at 34+5 before I'd even started mat leave! Second time I worked full time right up till 39 weeks. I didn't drive to work but it was a 25 minute walk, plus extra walk or bus time on the days I had to do the nursery run. For me it was the right decision as I was feeling well, would have been bored rigid just pottering about with no baby at home, and means I've been able to save all my leave to spend with DC2. I think ultimately you need to listen to your body.
It sounds like your work are flexible enough to allow you to change the date if you aren't able to continue as late as you'd hoped so as long as you feel safe and comfortable driving I'm sure it'll be fine.

I would state your starting mat leave date as later as you can always go earlier if you feel uncomfortable or indeed go into labour early.
I finished at 39 weeks (DD tomorrow!) had a 45 min drive commute to work & worked regular 8-9 hour days. I did however space out a few holiday days to break out the 5 day week & Xmas bank holiday days off helped too...

I would rather have more time with baby once she arrives than waiting on my own too long before but I have been very lucky as fit & healthy throughout pregnancy 😊