Finishing Work Before Baby Arrives ...

Kels wrote: I worked till 37 weeks....... Im lucky I finished when I did because Alize was born exactly 8days later which gave me a weeks rest before he arrived.

I was planning to work til 37 weeks, but went to work on Wednesday morning, spent the night in DS and had Fay next morning. Had to ring my boss 10 minutes later to explain why I was late for work. I had Fay at just 35 weeks so never really got a rest. Feel like I was cheated ever since!!!

I was aiming for 36 weeks (I am a teacher, I finished with my class at 29 weeks as it coincided with end of term, then relieved full time for the following term at my school until I finished up). I ended up finishing at 35 weeks instead as I was so tired and found it increasingly difficult to be happy and focussed and giving my all to the kids everyday. And that was on reduced hours and 4 days a week! But i am a wee bit older than many people on here (33) and I think that once you hit your 30's it is a bit harder, especially if you are in a physical job with little down time.

As for going back, now Lily is here we are lookinga t me not going back full time. My role meant i would start at 7am and not get home till 6pm most days, that would suck with a bubba. So I may become a SAHM with a couple of days for sanity money. But it will be a real struggle with the mortgage so we will ahve to see how it goes.

I am stopping work at 32 weeks. have 2 weeks annual leave and then the paid parental leave kicks in 6 weeks prior to birth. My job is being made redundant so they wanted me gone as quickly as possible.