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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When are you finishing work?

26 replies

nessmay · 05/05/2010 14:54

Just curious as to when you are finishing work (how many weeks will you be?) or when did you finish? I'm due to finish at 37 weeks as up until now I've had a reasonably pain/stress/nausea free pregnancy, so when I had to give work a date I thought I'd be fine at 37 weeks. However in the past week I've been feeling so tired and it's such a struggle getting up and going to work (thank you bank holiday!).

I don't have a physical job (I'm mainly at my desk) so this isn't a problem, but quite a lot of friends/colleagues all wish they'd finished early than they did because of being so tired. I am lucky in that I have a very understanding boss and I've started working from home one day a week, but like many people I wanted to finish as late as possible so I could have more time with DC before returning to work (and keep earning for as long as I can). I'm currently 29+3 and am going to be induced at 38 weeks.

OP posts:

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Kathyjelly · 05/05/2010 14:58

I saved up my whole year's holiday and took it at 36 weeks so I only went on maternity leave the day before I was due.

That worked quite well.

cinnamongreyhound · 05/05/2010 15:25

I took mine 2 weeks before due date but DS was 2 weeks late so I really felt it was a waste of time! I sat around waiting for him, thinking about being overdue the whole time. I didn't ever feel particularly tired, well no more than normal so it wasn't a problem for me.

This time I am self-employed so hoping to work until I go into labour

PollDancer · 05/05/2010 15:46

I worked up to 37 weeks last time, but will probably try and go later this time around, as when you're at the other end and looking at going back to work every day counts! Plus dd was a week late so I had 4 weeks of waiting.

See how you feel when you get closer to the time though, you can always change the date if it's getting too much. You won't be doing much work by then anyway, ime, and no-one will mind slightly shorter days..

Have you got any holidays left to use up before you finish? I ended up doing 4 day weeks for a while before I finished as I took mine as random days to break up the week.

MumNWLondon · 05/05/2010 19:36

I worked up to 39 weeks and then DC3 was a week early (DC 1 and 2 were a bit late) - not ideal, at work on Thursday and in labour on Friday...... came home on the Thursday and told DH it was lucky it was my last day as I was exhausted and not coping with all the BH CX!

nikkisbump · 05/05/2010 19:48

My ML starts on 21st June, 6 days before I'm due, however I have 3.5 weeks of holiday to take before hand so will be leaving at just under 36 weeks. Am moving house so think I'll need those four weeks to waddle my way through box unpacking!

raedrenn · 05/05/2010 19:53

I finished up at 37 weeks after originally saying 38 weeks. My job involves quite a bit of travel and I was getting very tired; particularly as I haven't been sleeping that great. I'm glad I did as now (39 weeks) although I'm bored stiff, I have a bit more energy and feel am getting prepared for things to come...

clothaddict · 05/05/2010 20:05

I'm currently thinking the same Q. I am 25 weeks and have said I'll take mat leave from 38 weeks and some annual leave sometime before- maybe 36 weeks. This is my second child and I stopped using holiday the first time at 32 weeks which was way early but I had a long commute 2 hours each way or staying at parents which I didn't want to keep doing being heavily pregnant. In retrospect it was too early as my DS didn't arrive until induced at 42 weeks, so 10 weeks off! But at the time it did feel right as I was so tired. I know at 37 weeks last time I couldn't have been working. It's so hard to know isn't it?

Mishy1234 · 05/05/2010 20:19

I'm due on the 30th May and finishing on the 29th. I do work from home 2 days though and in the office a short distance away for the 3rd.

The first time I was due to work until 38 weeks, but was induced at 37 due to OC. I was really glad to have the extra time at the other end and with holidays ended up being off until DS was 16 months.

However, if I was feeling knackered I would finish earlier. My advice is to go as long as you can. Give a later date to your work. You can always stop earlier if you want.

Nymphadora · 05/05/2010 21:05

I am planning on36 weeks with 2 weeks on leave before mat leave. Having a section at 38/39 weeks

am on countdown from June using my leave to reduce my working week and finishing September.

Summerhols · 06/05/2010 06:18

I'm 33 weeks, will be starting 3 weeks leave at 35 weeks then ML. Can't wait to stop as v. stressed at work as no chance of slowing down with my job. For me I know I may be a bit board but I need time to adjust from being a full time worker to a full time Mum (for a year anyway!).

bossyboop · 06/05/2010 13:39

I worked up until 36 weeks and took 2 weeks holiday. By the time i was 30 weeks i was bored of work and restless and just didnt want to be there, couldnt be bothered to do anything and would pop to the loo out of boredom, no one can really complain of a pregnant woman going to the loo every half an hour! I left loads of washing and ironing to do, mainly baby bed sheets, thinking i would be bored on maternity leave and glad for something to do. How wrong was I! I was sooooooooooooooo tired i wish i had done it sooner. DD was born 2 and a half weeks after i finished work. I went back to work part time when dd was born but have since left to be at home full time. Im relieved i wont be working next time around as I dont think i would cope having to work, look after dd and a pregnancy, hats off to those ladies who do it.

Original poster

nessmay · 06/05/2010 13:42

Think I'm just going to wait and see. I do have the odd day booked off here and there, plus I have more holiday I could take (I just didn't want to as any I don't take I get paid for at the end of the year - will help when trying to live on DH's salary and SMP). As of tomorrow I have 7 weeks left, hopefully it'll fly by!

OP posts:

ellabella2 · 06/05/2010 17:47

I'm planning on starting my maternity leave about a week before my due date but then taking at least 1 months annual leave before that. This is my first baby so I want to be able to try and relax and enjoy those last few weeks of just being me before becoming a mummy for the rest of my life

I have a friend who's first baby ended up arriving early recently (I know this is less common)and she was still working part time when the baby arrived [shock. I don't want that to be me.

LittleSilver · 06/05/2010 18:49

I've worked up to 40 weeks with all three of them. DD3 was the most tiring I think, was up with BHs from about 3am every day from about 37 weeks, which made me very tired the next day.

BellsaRinging · 06/05/2010 18:54

I'm working up to 37 week, and did the same with ds. Older now, though, so hope I'll still be coping in September...

Emster30 · 06/05/2010 23:49

I'm currently 28+5 and am planning to finish at 36 weeks. Some people say i'll be bored but I don't think so!

I have lots of holiday to use so am planning to take random days off. In fact I'm hoping next week will be my last full week at work, and since I want to go back part time it could be my last full week for years. hooray!

Athrawes · 07/05/2010 00:01

I am stopping at 34 weeks and looking forward to a sleep! I am a teacher though and on my feet all day so pretty tired. I may do some relief teaching up to 36 weeks but suspect that I will be glad to have the time off. Boredom is just not a factor - that's what books are for! And Mumsnet!

Missus84 · 07/05/2010 00:06

I'm finishing at 32 weeks and can't wait I do have quite a physical job though.

gaelicsheep · 07/05/2010 00:23

It's my second and I'm working up to 39 weeks, in theory. I intended to stop a bit earlier using a week or two's leave but they've been so slow at sorting out cover that would mean a gap with no one doing the work (was supposed to be a proper handover [grrr]).

noodleysoup · 07/05/2010 12:39

I have 4 weeks annual leave booked before my due date then switch onto maternity leave. I'm mainly desk based and only have a 30 min commute each way to work everyday so hopefully should be okay.

TheArmadillo · 07/05/2010 12:45

I'm finishing at 30 weeks (though the first 5 weeks of that is using up holiday). BUt that is when our refurbishment is starting and I didn't want to be around for the rebuild (as we would be staying in the building). Also I have been ill during this pregnancy (and have just been signed off sick again at 27 weeks) so am not coping like I did with dc1.

WIth dc1 I worked till 37 weeks and the last couple of weeks nearly finished me off but I was pleased I did it that way to get the extra time at home after (as I got 6 months paid leave then adn I'm getting 9 this time).

tanmu82 · 07/05/2010 14:18

I wish I had the luxury of 'leave' to take before the baby arrives. I have two other DC's and have to use my holiday up for all their holidays as between us, DH and I can barely cover it as it is. My plan is to work up until 38 wks. DS came at 37wks and DD came at 39+2wks so I'm hoping this one comes somewhere in between.....I'll then use the holiday I accrue during mat leave to lengthen the time I get to stay at home paid.

Well, that's the plan anyhoo.....

CherryPie3 · 07/05/2010 14:24

Maternity leave starts when I'll be 34 weeks. 3.5 weeks holiday prior to that tho so last day is 11th June. My due date is 29th July but I'm predicted to 'go early' at around 35wks so figured I'd like a little time to relax before a newborn joins my brood .

goodlifemummy · 12/05/2010 18:18

When I was pg with my twins I was working full time 3 days on 3 off with a 2 hour commute each way, I finished work at 30 weeks, but wish it had been 28 as I was enormous and finding the drive very tiring. I used leave, and as my babies were 6 weeks early, my ML started the day before they were born, so it all worked out rather well. This time round ( I am about 8 weeks) I have to do the commute 9 days a month, and dreading it already!! Also have to fit it around the school run (impossible) so trying to avoid the phone call to be told where I will be working - am normally an air hostess, but not allowed to fly!

del1 · 13/05/2010 23:02

With my first, I finished at 37 weeks. I was a bit bored to be honest, but on the other hand, glad I had the rest.
This time I will start mat leave 5 days before, but with leave, I will try to finish at 38 weeks. Just to try and rest again, and enjoy dc1 - before he has the big shock of number 2 arriving!!

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