Should i finish work earlier? I can't decide...

[PregnantGrrrl]

I'm a bit over 33wks, and i have until 28th in work. I rang in sick Friday and today- i have felt crappy, but i could have pushed myself to go in if i'd tried. I can't wait to finish...can't sleep, sore back etc.

But if i finish early it's less time with the baby when he's actually here. I work 4 days a week, and sit at a desk, so it's not physical work. Although i do walk to work every morning, which now takes me about 15-20mins.

Shall i just push myself until the end of the month

If you can, keep going! You'll be pleased you did when you have another few weeks off at the end of your mat leave - NO-ONE wants to go back to work when the time comes!
But get as much rest as you can otherwise - do you have any other children? If not then put your feet up as soon as you come home and give yourself a little treat for every extra day you manage.

i have a loony 14mth old

i'm keeping him at childminders in the day when i finish though, until the baby comes, so i can hopefully do some nesting and resting.

I disagree with claraq I'm afraid. I think when you are 33 weeks you shouldn't be pushing it at all. Too many people push it as far as they can, then end up giving birth the day after they finish work, with no time to relax and prepare, and I'm sure often the stress of working so far into pregnancy brings on labour before time.
It's a tricky balance though isn't it, if it means you will have less time after baby is here.

it's so hard to know what to do for the best. I am afraid of going into labour knackered though, and making it twice as hard for myself. i had planned to finish at 37wks, but plans and your body don't really go hand-in-hand, do they?!

It does depend on your work though - I found working during pregnancy a lot easier and less stressful than being at home with a toddler (although not an issue if your LO will be at the childminders !! At least at work you can stop for a rest and if you are in an office (as I was) can be sitting down most of the time. But I appreciate what flowerybeanbag is saying is true if one is in a more physically demanding job - I imagine something like teaching would be hard.

Hello

I gave up work on Friday at 36 weeks pg - woke up on Saturday, completely and utterly shattered and I still am!! I think I'd be forcing myself on, thinking I wasn't doing very much at work (sitting at a computer), but my body has obviously completely relaxed now!!

I've got my 3 year old home with me today (she starts preschool tomorrow!), and I'm trying to entertain her while not using much energy - think she's going to get bored soon!!

You've got to listen to your body - my MW told me after 30 weeks your body needs you to slow down and look after yourself more, but that's just not practical - especially if you've already got a toddler!!

However, I also agree with the, you'll appreciate the more time off afterwards, but you don't want to start of your baby's life being utterly shattered either!

Take care and enjoy your sickie - don't feel guilty at all!!

i think i'm going to have to try and force myself to finish the month. it's going to be so hard making myself go in tomorrow...blurgh.

In both my pregnancies I decreed that I would work till the end

finished with both at around 34 weeks or so

(and they were both 2 weeks late)

your body has a way of saying, er EXCUSE ME, would you mind slowing down a tad, I have a baby here

my midwife at one of my appointments looked me sternly in the eye and told me to finish work

I'm in a similar position - feel like crap(am actually going to go home soon) but feel bad about starting my maternity leave earlier. I was going to go at 36 weeks, but have decided to leave at 34 instead.

Could you leave just a week before you were planning to? Might make things a bit easier on you and would mean you don't have the whole month stretching out in front of you..

I cant wait to get the hell out of this place!!!

There's only so much sitting around net surfing i can do!

I'm starting my mat leave at 36 weeks, but will be on holiday for 2 weeks before, so in theory i leave work at 34 weeks. Yippee!!!

most people I know finished around the 34 week mark

maybe it is an invisible line that your body refuses to go over, like a horse refuses to jump and suddenly skidding to a halt

Nope - dont push yourself. start your mat leave now, listen to your body. Your baby takes a lot from you in the third trimester and being at home resting helps you and the baby.
My bubs growth tailed off a little and i was asked if i was still working (had just stopped) and i am pretty sure that if I hadnt, they would have signed me off work. Rest, sleep, eat and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

oh and p.s just after week 32, same happened to me, woke up feeling terrible. I worked from home til 34 weeks (my company were fantastic), then started mat leave.

i think i might finish a week earlier- i've been pottering this morning, painting baby's chest of drawers, sorting blankets. i want to nest, not work!

Pregnany Grrl, that was exactly how I felt! And it was lovely to actually do it and not go into work. I have not been bored for a second...

actually, if you have lots of time off towrads the end(check for the exact week coz i can't rememeber) they can force you to start your maternity leave early

momofmonsters- only if i have 'pregnancy related' sickness. I told them i have a stomach upset.

it all depends what type of job you got!....i was a claims advisor so its a sit down job (but i make sure i move every half an hour or the sciatica was coming on on my arse!). I worked up to 38 weeks and i really struggled the last 2 weeks as was sssoo shattered and trying to deal with phone calls with my head was all a bluergh!!

My friend who works for a childrens hosp and is on her feet alll day so she finished a month before her due date

glad you have checked it out! didn't want them signing you off before youw anted to go!

Could you use some leave to go part time? I did this from about 33weeks so only worked 3/4 days per week (well I had time off in lieu accrued from weekend working so used this) then had 2 weeks annual leave booked from 37 weeks so my mat leave was due to start when I was 39wks, but dd came early so I only had a week off to rest before she came. Could've done with another week really but loved being able to stay at home with her longer. Part time working might help if its possible.

Little B- got 2 days hols left to use, so have booked off couple of Fridays in Sept with them. Nothing left other than that.

I would stop work earlier if you can, because you'll never get that time again, with no baby and no (paid) work. If your 14 mth old is in childcare, use the time to enjoy yourself, go swimming, read some novels, whatever you fancy.

My sister was planning to take 3 weeks off before due date, the baby came 3 weeks early so she never got any free time at all and still feels cheated 6 years later!

i'm set on finishing earlier now- i DO need to learn to rest. DH is always telling me i do too much- i'm still learning to drive too. i just want to cook meals for the freezer and clean cupboards, between reading and having a coffee with my mates. Insurance (my job) can feck off!

Finishing 10 days earlier, on 18th...and my bosses couldn't do enough to see if they could help me in any way. Even had someone offer to come pick me up every day!

You are obviously very well appreciated and respected at work, which is great. Fantastic that they were so understanding and I don't think you'll regret giving up a bit earlier at all!!

I've just had a 3 hour nap in the daytime!! - can't think when the last time I was able to do that was, or when the next time ever will be! And I currently feel fantastic for it - hope it lasts!!!