So fed up with work already I want to cry

[Bookworm83]

I'm 37+1 weeks and will be starting my maternity leave next Friday the 20th.
I know it's soon but at the same time it feels so far away!

I shouldn't complain as I get to work from home, but still being stuck at the desk for 8 hours is torture and most importantly my job is so stressful at the moment (I work in tourism and we are having so much trouble now because of the coronavirus!!) it just drains every last bit of energy out of me.

The colleague who I normally share workload with is off this week looking after her sick child, so all the work is on me. There's so much extra pressure on top of my regular workload. It's really stressful and draining.

Ironically my pregnancy book says that from now on I should be getting plenty rest and sleep to build up my energy reserves etc. But I can't sleep at night due to all the usual pregnancy discomforts, and days at work are nightmarish.

I guess I just want someone to tell me I can do this & survive the week and a half until I can get some rest!

Firstly, You’re doing AMAZING! The fact you’re sticking out until that long into your pregnancy is amazing and you should feel very proud.

I go on maternity on the 17th and I totally feel the same, it seems a million miles away but it’s only a few more days. Like you, I work from home but realistically it doesn’t make a huge difference considering you’re still having to work!

It’s not long now And you’ve done so well. If you really feel you can’t go on, could you not just go off sick early and start your maternity at the end of this week?

Either way, you got this!

Thank you so much @Pregnantbam good to know some else is in a similar boat.

I'm trying to persevere and not use too many holidays or start my maternity too early so that I have more time with the baby at the other end of my leave. But I've requested this Friday off hoping a nice long weekend might help.

I started my maternity at 35 weeks I think it was!! The thought of working anymore was just painful! So really well done for sticking it out so late!! I'm currently 38+5 and couldn't think of anything worse to do!
Try not to get too stressed and do one thing at a time... hopefully they will give you Friday off and you can have a nice long weekend and then it's only 5 days! Good luck! Sending you strength xx

Do what you can in the time available (don’t work beyond your 8 hours) and take regular breaks to move around. Notify your line manager of things you are not able to cover, and write a “handover” note.

I’ve worked hard to “detach” from work stress and workload - some stuff just doesn’t get done and that’s fine!

Just start your Mat leave early if it's so stressful for you. I had my daughter at 37+4!

Agree with @Dozer - do what you can in the time you have. If it doesn’t get done it doesn’t get done - it’s not your problem and not your fault someone else is off.

All this will be a distant memory soon and no one will remember how much work you got done before you went on maternity. You can do this!

@sjmco I'm thinking of starting mine at 35 but worrying it's too early and people will think I'm lazy (my boss) but not hindsight it's only like taking all my annual leave in one block ? Not like I'm going to be relaxing again anytime soon although it will be amazing in different ways

Do you have any regrets at finishing at 35? X

@mrssunshinexxx don't think anyone will think your lazy... I was quite happy finishing at 35 weeks... although it has dragged a little bit... the first couple of weeks was nice as I was sorting out the house, baby's room etc but the last couple of weeks has dragged big time!
I have my cesarean booked 1 week today... if I was going for a normal birth I prob would try and hold out bit longer at work just so I don't go insane at home lol

You’re doing amazing , you can do this, don’t forget you’ve made it this far ! 💕

Thanks everyone for the kind words ❤️

I definitely won't be doing more than my 8h/day or trying to accomplish more than is possible and absolutely necessary. You're right that nobody would remember or thank me for it!

My Friday off has been approved so that's something to look forward to for now 🙂

@sjmco thanks for the reply it's first baby and planning for natural birth but have strong family history of preeclampsia and emergency sections so I'm thinking to leave early and just be relaxed at home with no stress will give me best chance of achieving the Labour I am hoping for x

@mrssunshinexxx if you can then I def would... you will get bored but at least you can relax before baby arrives.

@Bookworm83 glad your Friday has been approved! Make sure you spend your day relaxing ☺️