i want to leave work now, but feel guilty about wanting to

[breaghsmum]

im 30 weeks pg, am extremely exhausted and have let things get out of hand at home. i have taken this week off work to try and get rested but for the past few weeks ive been feeling ready to leave work. i have 3 weeks annual leave to take before my mat leave starts so that would mean i was starting my mat leave at 33 weeks. is this too early? ive had no complications with this pregnancy except the exhaustion and my mum keeps reminding me that i'll have less time at home after the baby is born if i leave now. i dont know why but i feel as if im letting people down by leaving now, the only thing is, i know myself it will be a big pressure off if i dont have to worry about work. im actually getting annoyed thinking about going back on monday. i enjoy being at home with ds3.5 and will be able to relax and enjoy doing things with him at my leisure instead of round my work schedule. i guess im just looking for someone to tell me its ok to feel like this.

Never feel guilty! If you want to leave now and it is ok for you to do so then go for it. I left at 35weeks so 33weeks isn't that early. With my first I left at 29weeks and took 2weeks leave before that as well! You will still have the same period of time of regardless of when it starts so dont feel guilty!

I started mine at 29 weeks. Like you, I was exhausted and wanted to spend time with my 2 year old before number 2 came along.

2 weeks later, I feel so much better. I have more energy, I am actually enjoying being pregnant and any pain I had from SPD is easing. Best decision I ever made, honestly!

I'm leaving at 34 weeks! Do what feels right for you

Dont feel guilty do what you think is right for you, im already exhaused and had enough and im only 16 weeks pregnant, im leaving at 29 weeks and cant wait and im not going to feel guilty about it either, you need your rest lets face it you wont get much once the baby is born, enjoy your maternity leave and try and get some lay ins before the big day

leave now

Oh god - don't feel guilty. I fully intended to work until I was 39 weeks but got polyhydramnios and spd so could barely walk at 32 weeks so in the end stopped when I was 36 weeks. Besides, you have a DS and so spending time with him before your world gets turned upsidedown is imperative I think

thank you all so much, all ive heard from people around me is how they worked to the week before the baby was born and that i need to be out of the house cause i'll get cabin fever once baby arrives. i'll get it organised when i go back next week. thank you all, it has already taken a weight off hearing that others feel the same.

go! no guilt allowed! i used holiday to work 4 day weeks from 28 weeks and then went for good at 34 weeks. best thing i did - never got to utterly exhausted stage at work, and loved having those remaining weeks to myself. i recommend leaving at least 6 weeks before to all my friends now.

I'm 25 weeks and thinking about going off as soon as possible.

Do not feel guilty! Do what is best for you and your baby!

go immediately. If I could I would escort you from the premises.

I worked right to the bitter end- big huge massive mistake.

thanks wobbegone its good to hear from someone who did persevere.

I'm leaving at 33 weeks (am 29 weeks now), got loads of annual leave to take. I'm shattered and am looking forward to it!

Go now. Do not feel guilty.

No one, I repeat, NO ONE will remember when you go back that you went off 3 weeks before you had planned to.

If you go back that is.

If you aren't planning to return, why on earth are you hesitating!

Guilt, schmilt. Go home.

Just in case you haven't got the message - take no notice of work!! I think it's an extension of the "you'll never be on your death bed thinking, I wish I'd spent more time at work".

spending time with your toddler now is priceless, and you need to get as rested as possible. You are (if it makes you feel better) doing them a favour by making way for a replacement who is focused, energetic etc, sooner rather than later.

I have ended up leaving at 24 weeks, but it's different because it's a casual/p/t job that doens't ahve maternity allowance etc., but also I've had such low b/p that I've been a bit of a nightmare driving to work... but I felt guilty for about 2 weeks, and now I'm just plain relieved.

BTW, if they all worked til the last minute how on earth do they know you'll get cabin fever???? No one is saying you can't go out, just that you can get up and about to your own timetable, no-one elses!

Good luck,

J

I know exactly what you mean breaghsmum. I'm actually leaving work today at 34 weeks and although my boss hasn't said anything to me directly, she worked up to a week before her baby was due and never stops going on about it so I expect she thinks i'm a lazy mare!

I'm actually taking three weeks annual leave so my maternity pay doesn't kick in until April, which I suppose is a benefit of having a baby earlier in the year when you're less likely to have used up your annual leave.

Like you I've felt absolutely shattered the last month or so and I'm ready to stop work now. After all, it's only a job and your physical health and mental health are far more important.

Don't feel guilty and go when you feel you need to!

I left at 34+4weeks, during a very hot summer, the heat was exhausting. Work health centre did checks every other week when not seeing the midwife, and would have made me leave on health grounds if I'd been ill. I did have a few days of annual leave left to take so I had two days off a week for three weeks before I left, which helped.

In view of your having a young child, make the most of the weeks before the birth resting, finishing baby preparations, cooking food for the freezer, and enjoying your ds. Your health is paramount.

decision made, im back in on monday and will arrange to leave asap. thank you all. you are so right jackaroo, i will definitely not regret leaving work 3 weeks early. my son and health is so much more important.

Excellent - I do like it when people acknowledge I'm right

Make the most of it, I'm trying to!