When did you stop working?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36451
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Topic: When did you stop working?
Posted By: SupaMama
Subject: When did you stop working?
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 9:01am
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Hi mamas and mamas-to-be,
When did people stop working? I am 34 weeks and still working full time. It is hard after working full time for 7 years to know when to stop! But obviously it is really tiring and my mind is not in it anymore. I thought I would keep working up to 38 weeks, but now it feels like too far away. I am also too tired to look after my 7yr old after school and I just want to sleep. What did you do or what are you planning? Cut down hours/days and keep working? Or just start maternity leave? Thanks  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: MyPeas
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 9:42am
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I finished working at 34 weeks and then took a weeks annual leave before starting maternity leave.
If you can afford to stop working or reduce hours it may be a great option so that you get a chance to rest and also spend some time with your 7 year old. Good luck  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 9:46am
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Both times, I reduced my hours at about 30 weeks and took at least one day off each week (usually Wednesday). Then 35-38 weeks, I just did one or two days a week. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 9:51am
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1st pregnancy: My planned last day of work was 39+2. I was in an office job so it wasn't physically demanding but I was getting really tired, I would go home and have an hours sleep before dinner and then head back to bed again. I made it through to lunchtime on my last day of work but had to go home early because I was in labour. 8 hours after I finished work I was holding DD.
2nd pregnancy: I was due on 22 June but pretty certain I'd be early again and I wanted to spend as much time as possible with DD before DS was born so I finished up on the last friday in May (I was 37 weeks) and took 5 weeks annual leave. As it turned out DS was far too comfy on the inside and didn't arrive until the last friday in June so DD and I got a fabulous 4 weeks together.
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I am pleased I worked right through because I only had 5 months maternity leave and I got to spend all of it with DD.Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:25pm
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I finished work at 30 weeks but mine was a different situation because I had a fixed term contract that ran out in time for then.
However by that point I was getting so exhausted and really struggling, as I taught 5 year olds. I couldn't really have gone past that point and I have really needed the rest and time to prepare for the baby. I have had a lot of swelling etc since I have finished so it's been good timing. I dont think I would have coped with working much longer. It sucks financially but for my health its been good ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:28pm
I've got myself to be finishing up at 37 weeks, I'm also wondering now if that is going to be a bit optimistic. My replacement doesn't start until 35 weeks which gives me two weeks to train them.... wondering if I'm slightly mad  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: sbeach
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 12:34pm
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I am finishing next week!!! very scary... I'll be almost 34 weeks... Its a bit different for me as I do shift work... 11.5 hour days 4 on, 4 off... for the last month I have cut down to 10 hour days, which has helped hugely, no crazy early starts (early shift starts at 430am! but I got to start at 6am)
I totally recommend cutting back on hours if you are able to and dont want to finish yet... I understand finding it hard to stop I quietly freaking out about not working after 5 years... ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 1:19pm
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With DS I finished at 35 weeks. And I was soooo ready to finish work. I was big and hot and tired. And I sort of cut down my hours from about 33 weeks....I just started coming in late and leaving early, but I had a very understanding boss who didn't care.
This time I am a stay at home mum, so don't get any time off before baby arrives!! |
Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 1:21pm
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I worked a desk job and worked right up until xmas eve, I was due on the 1st Jan and it was only really because of the holiday period that I finished then. I was quite comfortable to work right up until I went into labour if need be. Although, I did have a very easy pregnancy. DS was born on the 6th January so I had about 2 weeks off work before he came into the world which TBH I think was plenty in the end. Work was a nice distraction in those final few weeks. If I had of had any more time off before hand I think I would have gone batty. -------------  
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 1:21pm
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I finished work at 37+3, then 5 days later DS made his grand appearance so didnt get much 'me' time. But I didnt mind too much cos I didnt want to be doing 'nothing' and waiting for things to happen IYGWIM.
Next time I think I will stop at 36 weeks just so I can get a bit more time to myself and with DS before the next baby arrives. ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 3:32pm
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I finished at 35 weeks, but my job was quite physical and I think my client's felt bad with me massaging them being so heavily pregnant so client's had dropped off quite a bit. I loved having so much time to myself. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 4:09pm
| I will be finishing just short of 34 weeks - i work as a chef, a phsyically demanding 10hrs a day on my feet. I wish i could finish now - i'm struggling - but the end is near! I wish i could cut down/reduce hours but unfortunatly with busy season coming up it looks like i'll be doing more instead. Can you see if you can cut down (three day weekends, anyone?) |
Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 4:37pm
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I finished up at 36 weeks on 19th December, I was supposed to work up until Christmas Eve but my job was very demanding leading up to and during the Christmas period and I was so wiped that I finished a few days early. I ended up having 4.5 weeks before DS arrived on 20th January and I was so bored!! Had it not been for the Christmas break I would have gone back after a week off!
This time I'm no longer working though I imagine DS will keep me 'working' right up till the final moments  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 4:53pm
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i wasnt working but i was at uni. catching public transport and walking up the hill til 40 weeks. it was really tiring and i dont advise it. if you can finish before your due date it is well worth it.
and with my second i stopped uni at 38 weeks but was also looking after my 12 month old so was still flying round til the last minute ------------- 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 30 October 2010 at 5:46pm
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Like Mrs Mojo I worked right up til I was in prelabour, I finished on my planned last day of work Fri 30th Jan , office job, and she was born early on the sunday. I regretted not having some down time between work & baby.
So for #2 I finished at Xmas time, took annual leave through over the Stats & one week after work was back on. This gave me 2 weeks before he was due but he was born a week before this. So I was glad that I'd stopped before Xmas cause I got the down time with A.
I think 37 weeks is a good time to look at stopping, I was 36 weeks & luckily Xmas filled my brain. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 30 October 2010 at 10:31pm
Jo,you were due the day after me, and had Andrew the day before me ,haha, those overly comfortable babies of ours ! 
I can't remember when I finished! I just remember literally skipping to my car that day when I finished work ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 30 October 2010 at 10:46pm
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Far too many of our June 09 babies were happy on the inside, they must have known how friggin cold it was out here I remember you finishing work too and wishing it was me so it must have been before 37 weeks but no idea how much before. -------------
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TheKelly wrote:Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 9:15am
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I was meant to finish work at 38 weeks, but at 36weeks I had some leaking waters and my show, saw a doctor at hosptial who told me not to go back to work as baby would be there within the week. Sure enough she arrived at 36w5d so good thing I ended up finishing early! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: amme_eilyk
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 3:36pm
| I was intending on working till december so around 35 weeks, but I ended up finishing around 9 weeks as I was so sick with the pregnancy. However, I am finally feeling better so I am doing some casual work now and I dont know when I will finish as its not very demanding and not that regular. |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 8:55pm
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#1 I was planning on working up until 3 days before my DD but ended up being induced due to PE 2 weeks early. I was gutted as had the easiest preg until that point and really wanted to finish the school year out.
#2 I was paranoid about ending up with PE again so finished at 32 weeks. I had a easy preg again with no issues but my wee man was born at 37 weeks so only had 5 weeks off which TBH was way way too long off for me. -------------  
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 10:36pm
very true ! clever babies ! ah yes! good memory, I think I finished possibly around 35 weeks ... -------------
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 31 October 2010 at 10:46pm
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With Jae I had planned to work up to 36 weeks, take a couple weeks annual leave then finish at 38, but after using a large chuck of my carefully saved annual leave at 9 weeks spending a week in hospital and another week at home... I changed my mind and decided to cut back hours instead, and work up til 34-35 weeks... PPL was booked in for 34 weeks, but then after an early labour scare at 29 weeks, and fainting at work when I went back, it was agreed that it was best if I stopped altogether, so I finished at 32 weeks instead.
If you feel comfortable continuing working, then theres nothing working with staying for as long as you like. Its nice to have a little time to rest up and do last minute stuff before baby arrives though... unfortunately none of us have a crystal ball to tell us when baby WILL come, so its a bit hit and miss as to whether baby will arrive before or after EDD, makes it impossible to know how close to EDD to book, to allow X number of days/weeks of 'me' time. ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: SupaMama
Date Posted: 01 November 2010 at 9:05pm
Awesome thanks for all your replies! I have now cut down to 4 days a week so I can go swimming to get baby in the right position! Then I will see how I am at 37 weeks and take it from there  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 02 November 2010 at 8:24pm
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I was about to start a thread with the same question. I've got to give work 3mths notice of my finish date, so I've still got a bit of time to decide.
With DS I stopped at 35wks which was too early. I enjoyed the naps, and knitting, but really didn't have enough to do to fill in the gaps. I never thought of reducing hours and keeping working for longer, that sounds like a good idea and I'll still get afternoon naps ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: girly_girl
Date Posted: 03 November 2010 at 11:43pm
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Wow I finished really early at 28 weeks. But it was the end of the school year - so once I packed up my classroom that was pretty much it. As it turned out it was a good thing as I was in and out of hospital and eventually had my son at 36 weeks - the day school started back!! ------------- 
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Posted By: AzzaNZ
Date Posted: 04 November 2010 at 10:13am
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With DD I finished up on a friday and I think she arrived the following wednesday. With DS I left work to go get an ECV and ended up having him 10 minutes later.
If I had been able I would have preferred to stop working around 35 weeks both times. I was getting very tired and emotional by then and it would have been nicer to stay home and get some rest. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://intermittentblogger.wordpress.com |
Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 04 November 2010 at 1:54pm
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I worked until 38 weeks and was fine (office job) just tired and had totally lost interest by that time! My replacement didn't start until my last week so that dashed my plans to use up my sick leave over the final few weeks with days off, was just too busy. DD was born at 41 weeks so I got 3 weeks off which was enough! I did, however, manage to have fortnightly massages from about 22 weeks which were amazing and really helped my body handle sitting at a desk all day. Unfortunately we can't really afford to do that this time as I'm not working but I def recommend it if you can. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Tyrbear
Date Posted: 07 November 2010 at 2:37pm
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I worked right up to my due date and had DS 2 days later. I had a really easy pregnany, with no morning sickness so was happy to be a work and the days went by really quickly. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 07 November 2010 at 8:22pm
| I have now officially finished work at 29 weeks - really early i know but i am no longer capable of standing 11hours a day in a stinking hot kitchen, nor the 5am starts! God knows what i'm going to do for the next few months though.... |
Posted By: samanthanz
Date Posted: 11 November 2010 at 6:06am
| I'm 31 weeks today and had planned to work till 36 weeks but due to high blood pressure and liver problems i have decided to leave early at 34 weeks as i could have the starting of PET. Job is office job but stressfull so hopefully making right choice. Will be tight financially. Good luck with your choices. |
Posted By: NewMummyJade
Date Posted: 11 November 2010 at 8:29am
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Yah so glad I saw this thread!
Im 24 weeks and planning to work until 38+2 weeks... However will have 3 1/2 weeks off for Xmas from 30-33 weeks so hoping that good long break will re-charge the batterys to get me thru those last 5 weeks. Might I add I have the EASIEST desk job ever, with the nicest boss! So thinking I might even be able to use some sick days every now and then to help (coz it will be HOT eeek!) Good to know it is possible! Heres hoping this easy pregnancy carries on! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 11 November 2010 at 9:01am
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I finished at around 32 weeks in the end - and then went overdue, so had about ten weeks between finsihing work and having Bubs. It was the best thing out for me - I would have been totally fine working, but I got to do lots of those jobs that you never have time to do, and enjoy my last few weeks of not having a wee being dependant on you all the time. I've heard other people say they get bored, and guess that could be an issue - I just had so much stuff round the house to do that I was fine. The last couple of weeks were a bit tedious, but that was more about being overdue than having so long off work, and even they were all good -------------   
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Posted By: Happy lady
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 8:44pm
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I finished around 33 weeks, and it was also fantastic. I just needed that time to rest, and although some days I felt lazy and bored, it was definately the best thing for my body. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: SupaMama
Date Posted: 22 November 2010 at 8:54am
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I think my body is telling me it is time to stop now - been getting such swollen legs/feet and just body aches. And the crazy tiredness of the first trimester is back!
I also haven't got everything for the baby's room and am starting to worry that I will run out of time. SO thanks for all the tips ladies!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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