Working while pregnant

[Charliem035]

Hi all, I had a meeting with my obstetrician and diabetes team in the week and they said I'd have to stop working likely by 34 weeks and definitely by 36 weeks. I'm really curious what everyone else's experience was of this?
I'm a really well managed type 1, with a desk job and based at home 4 days per week. It seems mad that I might have to start using my paid time off long before baby actually arrives. I know I'll be in for tests etc. And the plan is to induce between 37 and 38 weeks, but am I mad to think I can keep going until close to induction date?
Any stories of others' experiences would be hugely appreciated. Also keen to know what the last couple of weeks were like for people? I'm 28 weeks gone, so in the last stretch, but the team scared me a bit in the week.
Many thanks in advance,

Charlie

 

[Inka]

I stopped work around 32 weeks or so. I had a desk job too but it was good to have a break and have time to get things ready. I also think it gives you an opportunity to move more so be more comfortable and keep healthy.

Even women without diabetes tend to take their leave for a few weeks before the birth. If this is your first baby, you have no idea how tired you’ll be! Stopping early allows you to focus on you, rest, do last minute jobs, perfect your birth plan, etc etc.

 

[42istheanswer]

You don't necessarily have to start using your maternity leave at that point either. You still get your full allowance of annual leave while on maternity leave, so you can ask to use some before and some after. If you are taking the full 12 months maternity leave (including the 3 months which you don't get SMP for) then your employer may even prefer you to take 2 or 3 weeks annual leave before your maternity leave rather than carry it all over to next year.

 

[Sally71]

I don’t have diabetes but I did also have a desk job and I stopped work around 36 weeks. You get pretty tired and uncomfortable at the end, the last week of my pregnancy my daughter had shifted and my bump went all wonky and i couldn’t even sit on the loo comfortably and was roaming the house at night trying all sorts of different combination of chairs/settee/cushions etc just trying to get a couple of hours sleep. I know two people who were determined to work right up until their baby was born and they both had to give in about 3 weeks before. That’s a good idea about using some annual leave tacked onto your maternity leave if you can. Don’t wear yourself out 🙂

 

[Charliem035]

Thanks for this, it's interesting to hear what others last experiences were. I'm going to be induced at 37 weeks anyway though, so technically won't even be carrying all the way to term. I think I'll just have to see how I get on. My mum worked past her due date 6 times, so maybe I'm just used to thinking this is normal! Really keen to ensure that I'm making the most of being paid whilst with our baby, rather than just being pregnant around the house not doing a lot. It's all new, so I'll see how I get on, but still planning to work up until 37 weeks.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for this, it's interesting to hear what others last experiences were. I'm going to be induced at 37 weeks anyway though, so technically won't even be carrying all the way to term. I think I'll just have to see how I get on. My mum worked past her due date 6 times, so maybe I'm just used to thinking this is normal! Really keen to ensure that I'm making the most of being paid whilst with our baby, rather than just being pregnant around the house not doing a lot. It's all new, so I'll see how I get on, but still planning to work up until 37 weeks.

It is probably worth checking out your companies maternity policy as they can vary.
Some places if people are signed off sick for any reason after a certain number of weeks have to start their maternity leave. Which can mean people work longer than they really should.
Take it easy and take time to rest.

 

[Charliem035]

It is probably worth checking out your companies maternity policy as they can vary.
Some places if people are signed off sick for any reason after a certain number of weeks have to start their maternity leave. Which can mean people work longer than they really should.
Take it easy and take time to rest.

Yep, that's the case with mine. Will wait and see if anything pops up. I'm feeling right as rain at 28 weeks and carrying on completely as normal. Fingers crossed that'll last for at least a few more weeks.

 

[PhoebeC]

Hi all, I had a meeting with my obstetrician and diabetes team in the week and they said I'd have to stop working likely by 34 weeks and definitely by 36 weeks. I'm really curious what everyone else's experience was of this?
I'm a really well managed type 1, with a desk job and based at home 4 days per week. It seems mad that I might have to start using my paid time off long before baby actually arrives. I know I'll be in for tests etc. And the plan is to induce between 37 and 38 weeks, but am I mad to think I can keep going until close to induction date?
Any stories of others' experiences would be hugely appreciated. Also keen to know what the last couple of weeks were like for people? I'm 28 weeks gone, so in the last stretch, but the team scared me a bit in the week.
Many thanks in advance,

Charlie

Well they get full pay for 9 months so they don't always understand that good maternity pay is rare and then childcare costs are beyond so that holding off as long as you can might be a need as much as a want.

If you feel fine working and if you are working from home then it should be up to you. I didn't get past 34 weeks so I literally left work for my appointment planning to go back in the afternoon and then was kept in and induced the next day.

I would have liked a week off before induction, so had planned at 36 weeks to finish work, but this was the appointment I was getting my actual induction date.

Working from home is loads difference, maybe discuss with your employer that you slowly wind down as you get closer and if they have options to support this.