How am I going to make it (at work) until May?

IBackBevo

Anyone else feeling this way?  I had planned to have May 1st or 2nd likely be my last day. I'm due May 21st and from my past pregnancy I knew I would not make it until the end.  I was pulled last time at about 34-35 weeks and I was ready to go by then.  But I am already so uncomfortable and everything is a struggle.  I really am starting to question how I am going to make it another 10 weeks.  Have you found anything that helps?

Bootsie327

I'm following this thread because I'm feeling the exact same way. I've been having such a hard time with swelling, even when I get up and walk around throughout the day. It's also been very uncomfortable to put on shoes and get ready in a timely manner in the mornings. On top of that, I'm feeling very preggo-brain-y from the lack of sleep, and I'm worried it is going to affect my projects. I'm due May 15th and am going to try to get signed out by my OB on May 1st, and then take PTO making my last day April 25th.

MrsT2008

I work from home most days and that helps because I can get a lot more comfortable on my couch than I can at my desk.  But obviously you need a job and a boss that allow that!

I'm likely working until I go into labor like I did with DD, but working from home makes that more feasible.  If I make it to my due date (DD was 4 days early), I'll likely start my leaev at that point even if baby isn't here.

RachelCA29

I'm due May 12th and my official last day is May 2nd. But I have lots of vacation time to use up, so I plan on taking at least a week off before my official last day, so April 25th would be my last day.

I guess that would mean I'm working until my 37th week. It seems kind of late, but luckily I have over a week of extra vacation time I haven't planned to use (even considering bi-weekly then weekly appointments). I'm either planning to start taking one day a week off, to ease the load, or I can take an extra week off, when I'm 36 weeks, depending on how I'm feeling.

awc1986

My last day is scheduled for 11th April, as I have 2 weeks paid vacation before mat leave kicks in. I'll be 37 weeks when I finish and I'm already struggling at 30 weeks.
I'm finding it hard to focus and stay alert throughout the day and I'm worried that baby brain is going to start making it's way into my work. I'm literally counting down the days. I have 34 working days left. They haven't even started recruiting my replacement yet and I'm not sticking around longer just because they're disorganised.
I work in a small office on an industrial estate too, so there's literally nowhere for me to go and rest. It's a "lunch at your desk" sort of place and there's nowhere to just kick back for 15 minutes. My car is too tiny for that kind of thing. I might have to see how I'm doing in another month.

jjh471

I'm on bed rest right now and I really think a lot of what has happened was because I was on my feet all day and just made the contractions and pressure on my cervix a lot worse. I teach kindergarten so the constant up and down in little chairs and walking around, bending/stooping, really sucked. I actually am hoping that after a few weeks of modified bed rest they will let me go back at the end of March when I am 33 weeks but I know it is going to be hard. I will be doing a LOT of teaching sitting down.

I never realized how hard pregnancy is on your body, but it's true. Try to take as many breaks as you can and sit with your feet up. I know it's probably easier said than done!

IBackBevo

jjh471 said:

I never realized how hard pregnancy is on your body, but it's true. Try to take as many breaks as you can and sit with your feet up. I know it's probably easier said than done!

Yes, that is completely true!!!  Growing another human is tough work. 

I have a desk job which does help, but I also tend to have swollen feet by the end of the day, too.

krlovell

Omgosh this! Everything you girls have said and more!! I have zero patience, and can not tolerate one more idiot that I am expected to train and F up my job while I'm away. I feel beyond huge, getting ready for work and getting DS to daycare in the morning is a job in itself! I was almost relieved when my doctor told me on Friday that I have pre-e again and she will more than likely be pulling me from work in a couple of weeks. (Not that I want pre-e, seriously don't wish it on anyone but at least if I'm going to have it there's an upside to it!!) God do I love that woman!!! Women that make it right up until the end, well there's a special place in heaven for those women!!

IBackBevo

krlovell said:

Omgosh this! Everything you girls have said and more!! I have zero patience, and can not tolerate one more idiot that I am expected to train and F up my job while I'm away. I feel beyond huge, getting ready for work and getting DS to daycare in the morning is a job in itself! I was almost relieved when my doctor told me on Friday that I have pre-e again and she will more than likely be pulling me from work in a couple of weeks. (Not that I want pre-e, seriously don't wish it on anyone but at least if I'm going to have it there's an upside to it!!) God do I love that woman!!! Women that make it right up until the end, well there's a special place in heaven for those women!!

That is exactly how I feel!  I feel exhausted before I even get to work. 

jjtyler

I am due May 20th and feel exactly the same way.  I feel like turning around and going home the second I unlock my office because with the commute and getting me and my daughter out of the house in the AM is exhausting.  I walk to the train and take the subway to my building...and  I am also still traveling.  Going from NY to LA this week on hopefully my last trip.

Last time I worked until the day I was sent to the hospital to be induced at 37 weeks.  Literally went from a meeting, to the doc, to the hospital....was planning on a week off before my due date.

This time, I know I have my c-section at around 39 weeks, so I will hopefully work right up until the end because I want as much time off during the summer as possible :-)  But, the exhaustion this pregnancy has reaped on my body and I am ready to tap out at 28 weeks.

BeesKnees181

I agree it is getting more difficult to function normally.  Also, I am hormonally charged and have little patience with the douche nozzle in my office that thinks he is in charge of my work plan - he got a big old MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS on friday.  Thankful for a supportive supervisor, desk work, and the option of working at home one day/week.

lovey1

Ugh! I feel all of you! I'm due on May 10th, planning in working right up until May 2 and having my repeat c-section on May 5. I've bee so uncomfortable with the weight and BH and now it seems the tendinitis on both of my wrists is coming back. This baby boy just seems to be kicking my arse compared to DD. I just want to lay down all damn day.

KBowen715

A million times, yes. I'm done. The last exam I am due to give is the day after my EDD. 100 if I like you, 50 if I don't.

chillypenguin

I am struggling with this too. Luckily I work from home now, but it's still rough. I can't get comfortable even though I am sitting all day, and I am having the hardest time staying focused on my work. I just really can't concentrate. I am working up until I go into labor, so I need to figure something out, because that means I have around 11ish weeks to go...

Happypost

I'm really close to this feeling too... I am a server full time, and the constant moving and lifting is really taking its toll. My body aches after a few hours of work and doubles can put me in bed all day the following day.

kristine526

No clue, but when you figure it out, let me know. I'm counting down the days, though I don't know whether that makes it better or worse. There are only 8 more Mondays.

christieep

I will have to have a doctor's note to be off, I am really trying to think of a way to ask my doctor when she will write my note.  I don't want to seem like some slacker that doesn't want to work, but I know I will not be able to do it the last few weeks, mostly because I have an hour commute each way.  Thankfully I am doing okay physically right now, just unmotivated.

ho11yday

I'm due on May 8th but I figure this baby will come late. However, I have two weeks of vacation I have to use before May 17th and I just asked scheduling if I could move one of my scheduled weeks from week ending April 19th to week ending May 10th. This gives me time to do inventory on the first of May but it also gives me a week of time so I don't necessarily have to go into labor while at work. If, however, this baby comes late, I'll just go back to work and work until said time comes.

talkthewholetime

I thought this exact thing today. I can't stand all day anymore...not exactly sure what I'm going to do about that as an elementary school teacher, but I've gotta figure it out.

Some kid got in trouble during a game we were playing so I had to take his spot and play (we needed even numbers so everyone would have a partner). Let me tell you. That's the last time I'll be sitting on the floor.

I've gotta make it until May 2nd. I have the days to bow out a little earlier but I'd really rather not so that I have some days banked for when i return/baby #2. I'm due 5/22.

YTLCNURSE

My plan is to work until I go into labor. I have a desk job and I can work from home  2-3 days a week. I'm hoping my boss will allow me to work my 40 hours a week from home once I hit like 36 weeks. It is starting to be more of a struggle to get dressed and drive into work some days and when I come in to work I have to park so far out and walking to get in the building is a task! I only plan on taking like 6 weeks of maternity leave. I may take an additional week or 2 of PTO just depending on how things work out.

ksyknelvr73

I feel the same way, but more so b/c I am having a hard time focusing and I feel like I keep making stupid mistakes all the time. My brain seriously feels like it is lacking in function.My boss got pissed at my a couple weeks ago for something that I would usually never do (I completely forgot to do something), so now I just feel like an ass on top of everything else. I don't know why I turn completely stupid when I am pregnant. But anyway, my due date is end of May so I have at least 3 more months here. I plan on using some of my vacation time and I've made a crap ton of appointments (doctor, dentist, eye doctor) so that I can miss as much work as possible since me being here seems to just make things worse.

Kinipela7

No advice but I feel the same way.  I have lots of PTO hours to waste, but I have not told my boss when my last day will be and I'm not coming back!  I'm finding it hard to just pick a date.  Sitting at work all day is doing a number on my hips but then again I don't want to sit around the house just waiting for the baby either, and well extra money while I can get it is always nice!

kmatz10

Wow...after reading this, I am rethinking my whole plan!  I had planned to work all the way up until the very end, but after reading that most women are taking off for the last 1-3 weeks of their pregnancy, I am now rethinking my plan.  I just sit at a desk all day, so I'm not very strained (although my back KILLS me from sitting in my stupid office chair).  Thank you for posting this conversation, @IBackBevo.  Sorry that I don't have more advise for you, as this is my first, so I don't have much experience  )

oscarwao

I've had five sinus infections which hasn't been fun, but now I have an inguinal hernia which is making standing unbearable (I can't sit much at work either). But I can't afford to take time off, even with STD. My only coping mechanism is to count down the days.

shaunamw

No advise but I feel ya.  I was feeling pretty good except being tired but this weekend my hips started hurting.  I don't remember this with the first one but man is it painfull.  I typically work from home one or two days a week but I may have to up that if the hip pain doesn't go away.

Storrmys

I have to work up until I go into labor just so I can get paid for the 6 weeks after. My job I very physical and I don't know how I'm going to survive. I'm going to need to get special ccompensation form at work so I can carry water and maybe sit more and loft less. I've noticed that bending is hard !!! I'm due May 7th so10 more weeks of work. 

What I have been doingis delegating some of the llifting and climbing and bending to other associates. 

ujocdeelovely

I'm feeling the same way! I'm due May 26th and hope to work up until the very last second but lately I've been feeling so uncomfortable and it doesn't help that I can't sleep!

awc1986

You know what sucks? When you work with all the perfect-pregnancy women who had no ms, no aches and pains and no heartburn, so there's zero understanding.

JACKIE_RS88

I'm working until I go into labor.  I sit all day but also my feet are swelling up.  I got some comfy crocs (Kadee?)  and I'm wearing those instead of my real shoes most of the time.  Unless I have to go see someone important.  I'm pregnant for Pete's sake I need to be comfortable!

carissa32581

awc1986 said:

You know what sucks? When you work with all the perfect-pregnancy women who had no ms, no aches and pains and no heartburn, so there's zero understanding.

Exactly! There are 4 women at my school who are pregnant and they all seem to have perfect pregnancies going.

I plan to work up to my due date. If the baby is late I will take off everything after that. I'm a K-6 music teacher so the last few weeks are going to be rough but I'm determined to make it work so I don't use all my accumulated days!

tjkdlhb

jjh471 said:

I'm on bed rest right now and I really think a lot of what has happened was because I was on my feet all day and just made the contractions and pressure on my cervix a lot worse. I teach kindergarten so the constant up and down in little chairs and walking around, bending/stooping, really sucked. I actually am hoping that after a few weeks of modified bed rest they will let me go back at the end of March when I am 33 weeks but I know it is going to be hard. I will be doing a LOT of teaching sitting down.

I never realized how hard pregnancy is on your body, but it's true. Try to take as many breaks as you can and sit with your feet up. I know it's probably easier said than done!

I taught kindergarten last time I was pregnant...I found it really hard.  It's so demanding to be on your feet and up and down and little chairs. 

tjkdlhb

awc1986 said:

You know what sucks? When you work with all the perfect-pregnancy women who had no ms, no aches and pains and no heartburn, so there's zero understanding.

OMG yes!  I felt like such a wimp last time!  There was another pregnant girl on staff and she flew through her pregnancy absolutely glowing... I glowed too... unfortunately it was more of a radioactive green hue...

ns1

IBackBevo said:

krlovell said:

Omgosh this! Everything you girls have said and more!! I have zero patience, and can not tolerate one more idiot that I am expected to train and F up my job while I'm away. I feel beyond huge, getting ready for work and getting DS to daycare in the morning is a job in itself! I was almost relieved when my doctor told me on Friday that I have pre-e again and she will more than likely be pulling me from work in a couple of weeks. (Not that I want pre-e, seriously don't wish it on anyone but at least if I'm going to have it there's an upside to it!!) God do I love that woman!!! Women that make it right up until the end, well there's a special place in heaven for those women!!

That is exactly how I feel!  I feel exhausted before I even get to work. 


Yes. This. I get to work and am ready for a nap. I will likely work until I'm in labor like last time and since I barely have any leave. But I am a lot more sore and impatient this time.

sarahjanisse

I agree with all of you....I am so tired I can't stand it and I am constantly irritated for no reason. I teach first grade so no patience plus exhaustion is not a good or acceptable equation! This is going to get old fast. I'm ready for the day to be over before I even pull out of my garage in the morning.

jjh471

tjkdlhb said:

jjh471 said:

I'm on bed rest right now and I really think a lot of what has happened was because I was on my feet all day and just made the contractions and pressure on my cervix a lot worse. I teach kindergarten so the constant up and down in little chairs and walking around, bending/stooping, really sucked. I actually am hoping that after a few weeks of modified bed rest they will let me go back at the end of March when I am 33 weeks but I know it is going to be hard. I will be doing a LOT of teaching sitting down.

I never realized how hard pregnancy is on your body, but it's true. Try to take as many breaks as you can and sit with your feet up. I know it's probably easier said than done!

I taught kindergarten last time I was pregnant...I found it really hard.  It's so demanding to be on your feet and up and down and little chairs. 


It really is. If we decide to do it again (this is our first..) my kids will be many years apart. At least 4 or 5 because this has taken a toll on my body.

usernewname

I teach toddlers. My hips and back hurt at the end of each day. I was going to do sick leave until I had a conversation with my supervisor and she made me feel pushed to leave early. So I plan on working until I go into labour. Take that. Plus it's nice to have two incomes

IBackBevo

One thing I will say is that I am sooo glad you ladies "get it."  My last birth month board was filled with a bunch of posters who were all like "pregnancy is not a disability."

jfletcher3113

I feel ya ... I have a brain issue that seems to be getting worse by the day.

I find when I'm extremely busy and on deadline, my brain seems to function fine. But when I have an average work flow day or time to really sit and write, I really struggle with my focus and creativity.

I'm a journalist and today literally could not find the words to put on the page. It was like my brain was Jell-O and I couldn't form a proper sentence. I hope this doesn't get worse, it's so frustrating!

haylo33

I was feeling great up until the last few days. I'm an RN and work 12 hour shifts. The last 2 days have been very busy and I am scheduled 12 hours but am there closer to 13. Yesterday my hips were killing me I could barely walk. Usually I sleep it off and feel refreshed but when I had to get up at 5 am, my hips still hurt. I'm only 27 weeks.. I have a long way to go. I planned on working till the end since my 12 weeks starts whenever I decide and I wanna spend it with baby

jjh471

florassecret said:

I teach toddlers. My hips and back hurt at the end of each day. I was going to do sick leave until I had a conversation with my supervisor and she made me feel pushed to leave early. So I plan on working until I go into labour. Take that. Plus it's nice to have two incomes

Oh I feel for you! I did I/T and preschool for 4 years before I went into a public school for Kindergarten. It was hell on my back and I want pregnant obviously! I can't even imagine.

Arinias

 I am in the same boat! I work a very physical job and things are just getting harder and harder to do. I feel like at some point I am going to have to stop hopping fences and bending down so much, but I need to keep working as long as possible. I only have a little PTO saved up so i need to save as much money as I can for maternity leave. But with how it feels now I just keep wondering how I will get through 12 more weeks.