Hi Ladies,

I'm relatively new to this site and definitely new to this baby business (my first is due at the end of august), but I'm looking for a bit of reassurance.

I'm still at work now and not due to start my maternity leave until friday which is a day short of 37 weeks pregnant.

I'm totally exhausted and although my job is not constantly on my feet, i am up and down all day and never sit still or can just concentrate on just my work, so it's mentally exhausting too. Hubby is being great, running around after me even though he's tired too.

So my question is, when did everyone else start their maternity leave? Did you feel totally shattered? And am i crazy to have worked this late into my pregnancy?


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Hi Hun. I'm planning to take 3 weeks annual leave plus maybe a weekbig maternity before due date so 4 weeks before. Hoping I make it that far. I'm not due until march 13th. Lol x

i am 36 weeks on thursday so a week behind you, and i have to say i finished just over a week ago (16th July) at 34 weeks and was totally knackered!!

i am 36 weeks on thursday so a week behind you, and i have to say i finished just over a week ago (16th July) at 34 weeks and was totally knackered!!

hoping2tryagain - Hi hun! I have everything crossed for you that you have a smoother ride than me! If you're anything like me you'll get all the way to 32 weeks thinking, "this isn't so bad what's all the fuss about?" then totally flake out the next week. lol

You're very organised though knowing what you're going to do already. I was noway near that organised until about 5 months (only got myself to blame though)!

MrsB27 - I wish i had given up that soon They didn't manage to get my replacement sorted in time, so he's only been in the job a week. I think if i could do it all again i would definitely say 32 weeks. But you did well to last to 34.

I think the worse thing is that everyone just expects you to be able to still work, but it really does just seem impossible after a while. Bet you're really enjoy it now though.

I finished on friday - i am 31 weeks. Although, I am a teacher so mat doesn't actually start till sept - to be honest tho i would easily finish this early again - was reaslly really behinning to struggle!!!

i worked as management in retail so on my feet all day long and on the shop floor from 10 to 5.30pm. No stools or seats just my swollen feet. I gave up at 35 weeks only because i had 3 weeks annual leave to take. Next week is when my mat leave officially starts and I must admit i was knackered the last three weeks before leaving.

I'm finishing on thursday when will be a day off 34wks. Using 3 weeks AL, then start mat leave. I wish i'd stopped a week or 2 ago, as I'm a vet, so I'm on my feet all day, lots of kneeling on floor then getting up again. lots lifting, tho I don't do any over 10kg now. also been doing on call still. going back to work at night has been exhausting at times. Just finished my last weekend on call. when we have a weekend on we don't get a break til the following friday, so I'm ending work with an 11day straight stretch - wished I'd stopped before this. but now the weekend is out the way feel like I'm on the final stretch!

I'm 35 weeks and planning on finishing up on 13th August. Things have been ok so far, I'm office based but I do feel like more work is getting piled on me rather than less as I'm trying to wind down. Only 14 working days to go...

Hi,

I'm 37+2 and finish work next week om 3rd August - due date 14th. But so far (touch wood) I've had a smooth pregnancy and feel like I could work for longer!

arls
xxx

Im a social worker and its pretty full on, I am really quite tired and there is still a bit of driving around to meetings etc. I would love to finish now (33 weeks) but have committed to staying on until my 36 week. I have to say I look ridiculous waddling around the office and up the stairs to my office. By the time I get home I am shattered. Unfortunately because of the way my year has been i haven't actually accrued any leave but I i had i would defo be leaving earlier, i think 32 -34 weeks is perfect.

I cant wait to put my feet up, and munch ice cream... (well, for a few weeks until the hard work really begins anyway!)

Gem x

i worked as management in retail so on my feet all day long and on the shop floor from 10 to 5.30pm. No stools or seats just my swollen feet. I gave up at 35 weeks only because i had 3 weeks annual leave to take. Next week is when my mat leave officially starts and I must admit i was knackered the last three weeks before leaving.

I work as a retail manager too, on my feet for the same amount of time, its good to know when u left, im only 14 weeks, but i will be due to go on maternity at Christmas, so im worried about leaving my time at the busiest time of year xxx

I worked to 38 weeks and was lucky enough to feel fine. I ended up delivering at 41+1 and wished I'd worked longer (for me it was a bit like school Christmas holidays i.e. the countdown started the moment I finished so I was 'over' the wait, if that makes sense).

However, and without meaning to sound smug, I really didn't feel tired (I was much worse at the start when I was green and pukey!). Is there any way you can flex the date should you come to really need the extra rest? It really isn't worth working yourself into the ground if you can help it, though I know the feeling of wanting to work (and earn) while you can...

I'm going at 39 weeks :-S

I left at 31 weeks im so glad i did ive had such a relaxing 7 weeks. I had 2 weeks hol so marternity pay starts at 33 weeks.

I wanted to work right up to 37 weeks but its been so nice to have some me time

Leanne 38+3 x x

im 29weeks today and planned to leave at 37 weeks but im thinking i will stay on till the week after (boss says its fine), im lucky i only work 2.5 days per week and to be honest i have a 3 year old at home so dont get much rest when im at home anyway. last time i worked till 37weeks.xxx

omg im only 11 wks but ive been planning on starting mat leave at 38 wks- am i mad? im a secondary school teacher and due in feb half term so i thought if i can work til the end of Jan it means i can just work for a few days in the last wk of summer term and start back properly Sept (and so get my summer hols pay). Do you think this is unrealistic? my school is good tho so im sure if i needed to go early it wouldnt be a problem.

I am working till just short of 38 weeks. Feeling tired now though and part of me wishes I was finishing earlier, but then I would be bored silly at home, so being at work and being occupied is the better option I think. I have hoiiday booked so am only doing four day weeks. I think it all depends what kind of job you do and how long the commute is etc.
Helen
35+2

I guess it all depends on what you do... I'm 21 weeks now and have a desk job so would ideally like to leave as late as possible. I have 3 weeks AL to take off so intend on using that up. So will be leaving at 37 weeks, ML starting on EDD xxx

i left at 32 weeks and needed to due to spd. the first 4 weeks were sick and the last 4 were maternity.