Please help - 34+3 weeks work pressures and unwell. Any advice would help x

[El13]

Hi everyone, I just wanted some advice as I am unsure what to do in my current situation.
I am currently 34+3 weeks with my first baby. He is due early sept.

I work a stressful demanding job in palliative care, which I absolutely love but I feel it’s getting too much.
I am unable to sleep after work, I feel exhausted and like it’s making me unwell.
I have previously had 2 weeks off due to developing covid, which lead to me getting a DVT.
I have only been back a few days and I feel like my baby is also suffering. I went from having a really active baby to noticing slowed movement.

my question is what would you do in my situation? I am not due to finish until 39weeks, we are short staffed as it is and my mat cover has pulled out from the role due to the pressure of the job.
do I stick it out? Do I start my mat leave?
I am really unsure but I want to do.

thanks in advance. I know this may not be worded perfectly I am frantically writing at 5am hoping for some kind of advice.

I’d personally start mat leave early & enjoy the rest of the pregnancy & make the most of it.It’s not worth putting your mind & body through it.With my first I ended up starting mat leave early as a lot of reduce movement episodes and by the end I was just stressed. Ended up getting induced 3 weeks later after another episode. Labour @ delivery are a marathon your body & mind needs rest before it’s time for baby to arrive.

Just to add my son arrived at 37+6

Bugger work. It’s not your problem. Please put yourself first. They won’t give you a medal for staying at work. I went 6 years at my last job, including through pregnancy without taking a single sick day off, and they still made me redundant.

If you can, definitely start mat leave sooner. I stopped work at 36 weeks, taking 2 weeks holiday and 2 weeks mat leave. I was ready to stop from 35.

In your situation I would put you and baby first. It is ok to stop work now.

Agree finish now. I had my mat leave plans all sorted & was winding down nicely, finishing off jobs, handing over to colleagues etc. Boss dumped an awful job on me. Touch and go whether I'd get it finished in time - I think he just expected me to work extra hours to get it done. I was sick every time I worked over - so I learned v quickly not to.

I had a good word with myself when that job landed on my desk & moved my mat leave forward. Look after you & baby op. It's literally your most important job now. Good luck xx

Why would you question if you should finish work if you say it’s affecting your baby? You don’t owe your work place and if they don’t have cover, that’s really not your problem. For the sake of yours and yours baby health, I’d go on Mat leave sooner rather than later.

Yes finish now, work staffing is not your problem.
Your health and babies health is.
Have you had the reduced movements checked?

I had posted something similar few weeks back!! Then I finally signed off from yesterday(36w) however my C section is scheduled at 38w until then I would be spending quality time with my toddler and my chill time!!

You are not married to your work, don't let it take over your health or peace!! 😛

I’d finish now. Have you been for monitoring at the hospital with baby moving less?

If you’re having reduced movement please go to your maternity triage ASAP!

it sounds like work is making you become unwel I would maybe ask your gp for sick leave, if that’s not possible I would take maternity leave work is not worth putting yourself and your family through this. They will cope without you because they will have to, it is not your responsibility x

I'd get checked for reduced movement as PPs say. Might just be you're so busy you don't notice it (I found that when working) but it's always worth getting it checked out.

Is there the option to use some holiday to cut your number of shifts down in the week? Or speak to your manager about shorter shifts - there is a requirement that they make adjustments for you.

Then personally I'd go off on mat leave at 36 weeks. I found the later weeks hard and would have struggled with a physical job.

Thankyou for your responses I do really Appreciate it I think sometimes hearing other people agree with the way you feel just puts it in perspective!

I have seen my midwife / MAC multiple times due to reduced movements, so I’m apprehensive if it happens again I may be induced but I am aware of babies movements constantly. I am also seeing midwife today to come up with a plan. :)
xx

@El13 just on the reduced movements, mine was induced just before 37 weeks for those, and it was fine. Process was long because there was a delay for delivery suites in my hospital but the birth was alright, I didn't have interventions like forceps etc or tear and had a quick recovery. Just mentioning because I was worried about this, but it was all pretty straightforward and okay

Try not to worry about induction if it’s suggested as difficult as it can if it’s first time birth. I was induced 37+6 and had the best experience & the labour & delivery I had hoped for! Happy to have a chat on inbox too if it helps. Good luck with your app