Working and pregnancy

[jellybean86]

Hi everyone,

Well I am a soon to be first time mum. 8 and a half weeks along. Just wondering on peoples opinions as to when to stop full time work? I know this is not a concern for a long time but I am hoping to work as close to my due date as possible and wanted to get other peoples opinions about when to start maternity leave. Thanks for your advice!

[kar]

As early as you can afford it. I had an easy pregnancy but by 30 wks I was over it. And my babe came early so was very glad I finished 6 wks out.

[Me]

With #1 I stopped ft at 26ish weeks, but continued to work Pt up until and including my edd(felt fine), but it was just casual bookwork.

With #2 I wasn't working ft, but it was Pt(so set days and hours) and I worked til 6hrs before I went into labour.

Now I am preg with #3 and working ft at 30 weeks and REALLY struggling, but its our own business and we lost a staff member so I have no choice until that position is filled. I am taking it as easy as i can - no lifting, delegating as much as I can, avoiding going up and down the stairs too much etc, but really, for me ft is too much at this stage.

Is there any chance for you to cut down to Pt in perhaps the early stages of the 3rd trimester before you actually start maternity leave so that you can save as much maternity leave to spend with bub but can still have the pressure off in regards to ft work?

[BabelFish]

I worked until 38 weeks with my first and wish I hadn't. I think 32 weeks is a great time to stop, if you can.

[lealea79]

I worked full time up til 37 weeks.. I don't know how I did it to be honest.. I would not recommend it.. Maybe 34 weeks would be a good time or before.

[Lateralus]

I was working 32 hours a week shift work (nursing) & stopped at 34 weeks due to severe sciatica. Not much use as a nurse if you can't walk

[MoreKisses]

I worked f/t up until 36 weeks and had my DD at 38 weeks.
I know lots of first time mums who want to work to 38 weeks but its just crazy... you never know when they will arrive so make sure you give yourself enough time.
I'm working p/t now and will probably work to 36 weeks again.

[1plus2]

With DD1 i had a super easy pregnancy while also working a super busy job, i was also very pregnant over summer and worked outside.

I worked until 36 weeks, i was planning on working right up til i was due but issues with bub forced me to stop working at 36 weeks as i had to have daily check ups and she was induced 2 weeks later. Other then those problems i felt physically well enough to keep doing my job.

With DD2, i wasnt working but i was so tired and sore all the time that i doubt i would have lasted very long at all if i had been working.

This time around i feel awesome again and have no dramas at all.

So you pregnancy could be good or bad, you'll just have to wait and see what works for you.

[kar]

Also keep in mind that the time between finishing work and having your first child is the only time you will have to yourself for oh, say, the next 20 years.

[jellybean86]

Thanks so much for all your advice so far! I am a primary school teacher so I have the luxury of not having to be on my feet all day if I can't. Dropping down to part time is not an option for me as then I would loose my full time maternity pay. I just really don't want to waste my maternity leave on being at home pre-baby.
Fingers crossed I will have a nice easy pregnancy!
Thanks again for your advice ladies!