When did you leave work??

[Kookie]

Hi guys, I seem to be becoming a regular poster these days! So many questions and I'm aware time is running out swiftly as I'm 27 weeks pg and it only seems yesterday that we were sat huddled over the pregnancy test!! Can I just ask, when did you leave work? I'm a teacher and trying to struggle through to the end of Autumn term (December 17th) however it's getting more and more knackering as the days go by. Am I being a complete wimp or should I consider leaving before I'm 36 weeks? Any ideas welcomed!!!!

HI Kookie, I went on mat leave at 38 weeks which coincided with the Autumn half term ( ie just about now) and dd was 3 days early! plus we had just moved and we had builders in and a new boiler installed the 12 days I was at home. In other words I got no rest to speak of at all!! I was a bit silly really but felt beholden to work as long as possible, cos let's face it most teachers are foolishly loyal and dedicated aren't they? not that we get much in return.....anyway my point is I wish I'd had longer off to get some proper relaxation in!

also don't forget that the last week of term is a bit of a work write off - just do quizzes and show videos ( that's what I do anyway, I expect all the right wingers and teacher haters - no names mentioned - will now rub their hands and gratefully say ' there, I knew all teachers were crappy time wasters....' ).So try to view it as an easier week than usual if you really are serious about going til the end of term.

38 wks but dd was 5 days early
this time 35 -- don't fancy going back after xmas. if xmas wasn't in the way i'd prob go for 37
wish could plan cinema trips but remember how dd pogo'd during Moulin Rouge

I finished 4 my maternity leave 2 wks b4 ds was due.
As it happened, he was born a week 2 the day after I finished work, as he came early!

Baby due 5 Jan. Decided to finish 19 Dec, Then changed it to 12 Dec. Eventually finished on 29 Nov totally exhausted and DS arrived on 11 Dec and was 4 weeks early. Luckly had finished the Christmas shopping - a bit like you tammybear.

I stopped at 37 weeks. The last two weeks were Y11 mocks, so I figured my teaching load would be lighter. I was right, but the last two weeks were really hard going (I made a concession to myself that I didn't have to wear a suit - it was the only way I got myself through!). This time I plan to start leave on the first day of summer term, so I'll effectively stop when I'm 35 weeks. However, if they won't let me, or if I find I can't afford it, I will go back for the 1st week after the hols. I figure that I will be rested, and that the head will already have supply in by then, so it wouldn't be too hard work!

with dd was teaching up until 36weeks + 4 days. However as it was coming into summer holidays and a number of my classes were in exam periods I was able to negotiate that I left at lunch time - missing form period and last lesson for the last two weeks... made a difference - did not have to commute through horrid traffic....

depends on how well you are feeling at the time....... and when you intend to return to work.