Daft to work until 38 weeks?

[mumofmunchkin]

This is my fourth baby - previously I've finished work at 35 or 36 weeks. I'd like to work a bit longer this time because money is a bit tighter, and I'd like the extra weeks out the other side with the baby. I'm in a desk job, working 3 days a week, and looks like I'll be able to continue working two of those days from home up until I finish (with the other kids I was commuting into the office every day), which does make a difference.

Would you work up to 38 weeks? Have you? How uncomfy was it? How doable?

I've always gone overdue before, so not particularly concerned about the baby coming before I finish (if it happens it happens!), and had three straightforward pregnancies before this with no sign that this one is any different at this point - normal aches and pains and tiredness obviously, but no medical concerns.

I worked until 38- it was fine and I was actually glad of the distraction from waiting!

I worked til 34 with my twins (Christmas holidays) then til 38 with this singleton. I’m a teacher and was exhausted towards the end of my singleton pregnancy. I did it for the same reason as you: money was/is tight.
Good luck.

I've had plenty of friends, many of them in countries where mat leave is less generous, work basically until they went into labour so they could maximise time at home afterwards. A friend worked FT until 41 weeks. Your job seems manageable, and you do what you have to do. Good luck.

I worked full time to 38 weeks and part time (from home) in week 39 with my first, and it was fine. I'm planning to stop at 37 or 38 weeks this time, but that's to get stuff in order at home (fill the freezer, etc.) and spend a bit of extra time with my very mummy-centric toddler.

I worked until the day before my birth with my second. It was absolutely fine. I had an easy pregnancy.

With my first, I couldn't work a day past 33 weeks. Too uncomfortable and tired!

Pregnancies are different and only you will know if you are feeling ok to work, I'm afraid. Any chance you can work from home?

I worked until 39 weeks for both my pregnancy. Office job.
Last week I found very difficult to focus but I did fine until the end.

I'm working until 39 weeks! First child but working from home anyway so can go for a lie down on my lunch break.

I'm at 33 weeks now and managing fine. Ask me again in 6 weeks though!

Not daft at all - my last day of teaching was 39+6 with my 3rd! The other 3 arrived at 42 weeks, I was confident this one would too and I wanted the time at the end!

I worked until 38 weeks too, was full time and commuting to boot. I had an easy pregnancy though. By 38 weeks my feet were hurting a bit though!

I worked up to due date, just made sure it was from home the last 2 weeks

I wasn't able to take much mat leave so wanted to make sure it was all post birth!

I worked till thirty eight weeks.I was totally fine with it other than two issues

At the time I needed to car travel a lot and constantly needed to stop and pee.
About two days before I finished I had to give a talk to over 300 army navy and raf personnel, and had to stand for over two hours to do it. At one point I actually thought I was going to give birth there and then and literally (tried to) run out at the end, instead of staying for lunch. Thay was physically too hard for me to be honest.

So I’d think if you’re seated and have access to a loo it will be fine.

I worked to 36 weeks with dc1. Was a SAHM when we had dc2. I found being pregnant and caring for a toddler harder than being at work

Yes, I work now and also have two small children so don't come at me with all the chippy "working mums do everything sahms do and also work" nonsense. I've done both. I personally found SAHM harder.

This is my plan. Working from home, currently 36 weeks. Work 5 days a week.

However, speaking to customers, when they shout at me it's affecting me much more than it did pre pregnancy. I don't want to give up my time after though, just because of that

I worked up to 40 weeks as mine always had to be evicted at 42 weeks. Again desk job no long or arduous commute.

I worked up to the day before both my kids were born. DS1 I sprang a leak at 35 weeks and was then induced and DS2 I had a scheduled induction at 38 weeks.

I lived in a country with short maternity leave so didn’t want to waste any before the birth.

Planned to do up til 39 weeks... I got to 38 after my waters breaking when I got home from work (full time in a nursery 🙈🙊🙉) . I found it just about doable (back then I was early 30s)i couldn't now I'm almost 40. I think flexibility is key in that last few weeks. Good luck xx

I worked till 38 weeks with my son, now 3, it was fine. I was full time, not a desk job persay, but did spend more time sitting down over being on my feet. The commute was short as well, a 10 min drive followed by a 15 min walk.

I'm pregnant again and this time I'm intending on working till 38 weeks again. I'm WFH in the 3rd trimester due to covid so thats a bonus, so I've no commute and all desk based now!

I think it'll actually be harder when I'm home with my toddler than at work!

I worked until middle of week 39 with first and planning to do same with second. With first I was commuting to a desk job though not that far, this time I'll be working mostly at home. Totally depends on your own experience of pregnancy.

I worked until 38 (actually gave birth before I finished!) and just over 37 weeks pregnant - full time desk-based role.

Worked till 38 weeks with dc1. Half hour commute each way (1 day WFH, 3 days in the office). It was very tiring but I did it. That was my first though, I finished at 35 weeks with my second.

I stopped at 36 weeks, as I was struggling to reach the operating table over my bump, to intubate patients!
Every mum and every pregnancy is different, OP, and much depends on how well you feel and how much exertion is required in the job.
Good luck for your remaining weeks, and your delivery.

I worked in office til 38 weeks and gave birth 3 days later, second time I finished earlier but was bored! You'll be fine, I did however arrive for 0930 so had a lie in

I couldn't hack it at all. Bullying boss, sidelined and immense nausea. We couldn't afford it but I went off at the earliest possible point. Best decision for my health.

I think in your situation it would be fine but I couldn’t be arsed to get out of bed at 38 weeks

I worked until 39 weeks with both of mine, including an hours commute across London.

I’m not sure what you’re really asking here. If you’re capable of doing your job what’s the issue?