Go on mat leave early? What to do

MrsIH · August 2010

Hey ladies,

As of today I have two weeks of work left, today is actually a holiday today so technically I have 9 working days left... doesn't sound like much at all! Here's the thing, I was thinking of working this week and seeing how I feel about working next week. I have been constantly on the go this whole pregnancy and the last few weekends I have been nesting like crazy (that nesting is no joke). Yesterday MH and I cooked for 4+ hours and froze a bunch of meals... satisfying but tiring. I feel like I just want to say ahhhh and relax. Due date is Aug 29th and the plan was to have 2 weeks off before he arrives (hopefully, if he doesn't come early). If I don't work next week that makes it 3 weeks before my "due date". Is that just too much? I guess the thing I struggle with is that I have no idea when he'll make his entrance to the world My job is not demanding physically, I sit at a desk all day, and although it's getting more difficult to sit for long periods it isn't all that tiring to be at work, know what I mean? I feel like I should just stick it out but... yeah Opinions?

MrsNJSwimmer · August 2010

Does it go against the time you have off after the baby is here?

MrsIH · August 2010

Yes it does which definitely plays on my mind. I do get a year of maternity leave which is great though.

MauiWedding08 · August 2010

I didn't really have a choice - I had to go out for medical reasons at ummmm 37.5? I was "working from home" but mostly just worked on a transfer memo and sent out tons of out of the office e-mails.

I couldn't really nest because I was suppose to be resting.

I can see how it would be nice not to worry about getting into the office and all that - not sure how taxing that would have become but it was nice to not have to change out of lounge pants!

MrsNJSwimmer · August 2010

I was pretty ready to come back to work (except for the tired part!). Unless you think you'll have a hard time with daycare or something, I say go for it! Being pregnant is tiring and hard too! Most people I know weren't too productive at work their last few weeks before the birth.

MauiWedding08 · August 2010

MrsIH:
Yes it does which definitely plays on my mind. I do get a year of maternity leave which is great though.

you lucky canuck

I knew that was the case, so I didn't even mention that part. I was so anxious everyday b/c I was "fighting" to not be induced but was so scared he would be late and cut into my leave time which I had negotiated to start on his due date regardless since I pretty much had to stop working (even if I had not been pulled out for med. reasons) and transfer cases at a certain point anyways. But there is a big difference between 12 weeks and 1 year.

MrsZiz · August 2010

I worked up until I went into labor. Actually I worked 12 hours, came home at 8pm, went straight to bed and my water broke at 3 am and I gave birth that day. I wanted as much time off with her as I could so I was scheduled to work right up to my due date and if she didn't come by then, then I was planning on working until she did. I know pregnancy is tiring and very rough on someone but at the same token, being a mom is REALLY hard work, especially with a newborn!

myday1708 · August 2010

Opinion 1 -- If you have a year, sure, go ahead, why not?

Opinion 2 -- Work until you deliver, or as close as you can. You are just nesting and anxious, but the real fun starts when baby is here! Think ahead to when baby is 11 months old and you are planning that 1st birthday party... I bet you'll wish you had that time off and didn't have to go back to work!

MrsIH · August 2010

All valid points.

Sarah, it is hard work (although I have no idea how hard it will be yet), maybe this is why I'm thinking about that extra week just to relax and do nothing? I don't know, I'm too much of an over-thinker sometimes

Malia, have definitely thought of that too! Wanting that extra week at the end and not at the beginning.

Maybe after this week I'll see how I feel and re-asses.

MrsIH · August 2010

MrsZiz:
I know pregnancy is tiring and very rough on someone but at the same token, being a mom is REALLY hard work, especially with a newborn!

I have had a wonderful pregnancy with hardly any complaints so it's not that it's so bad now, it isn't... it's pretty good still. I guess down time is what I'm thinking? I'm not sure... but again I may have to see how this week of work goes and I also have a check-up tomorrow as well to see how things are going.

sanae78 · August 2010

Since you get a year, I say take off the time now and REST. The first few weeks are exhausting and you'll be glad you got some extra sleep. Also, go pamper yourself! Get a massage and a pedicure because you won't have time for that stuff for a while. Totally jealous you get a year! I swear I need to move to Canada!

jaysgirljulie · August 2010

myday1708:

Opinion 2 -- Work until you deliver, or as close as you can. You are just nesting and anxious, but the real fun starts when baby is here! Think ahead to when baby is 11 months old and you are planning that 1st birthday party... I bet you'll wish you had that time off and didn't have to go back to work!

I agree w/ this! BUT I agree w/ the other side too. I had to stop working at 29 weeks and had lots of time off before LO. I was truely a women of leisure! It's the first time since I was 16 years old that I wasn't working full time. I really got to enjoy my pregnancy. I wasn't pushing myself so I felt great. Everything was clean & organized. I felt so happy (except being worried that I would have to get induced- which I did), calm, collected and rested. Of course that was the last time I felt truely rested, not anxious, and had everything spotless. It's the last time I had any me time because even when I do have some much needed me time, I feel guilty and I can't stop thinking about & picturing my LO.

You have a whole year off, why not go into motherhood feeling great physically & mentally?

MrsIH · August 2010

jaysgirljulie:
myday1708:

Opinion 2 -- Work until you deliver, or as close as you can. You are just nesting and anxious, but the real fun starts when baby is here! Think ahead to when baby is 11 months old and you are planning that 1st birthday party... I bet you'll wish you had that time off and didn't have to go back to work!
I agree w/ this! BUT I agree w/ the other side too. I had to stop working at 29 weeks and had lots of time off before LO. I was truely a women of leisure! It's the first time since I was 16 years old that I wasn't working full time. I really got to enjoy my pregnancy. I wasn't pushing myself so I felt great. Everything was clean & organized. I felt so happy (except being worried that I would have to get induced- which I did), calm, collected and rested. Of course that was the last time I felt truely rested, not anxious, and had everything spotless. It's the last time I had any me time because even when I do have some much needed me time, I feel guilty and I can't stop thinking about & picturing my LO.
You have a whole year off, why not go into motherhood feeling great physically & mentally?

Thanks Julie, valuable advice. I think that is currently where my head is at... your last comment sounds really pleasing right now.

MrsZiz · August 2010

jaysgirljulie:

You have a whole year off, why not go into motherhood feeling great physically & mentally?

I will say I had NO time for relaxation before Bella got here. We moved into a new house, started to remodel, painted the whole thing on the inside and mostly unpacked before my labor stated. However, that said, I had 4 days off a week (I worked 36 hours which is full time in my field, 12 hour days). I tried to rest and sleep but I could NOT sleep. I just couldn't get comfortable enough to nap and slept like crap at night... I think that's your body preparing for baby. Also, every time I could fall asleep because I was that exhausted, I kept thinking of things that needed to be done to help me prepare so I'd get up and do them...

If you know yourself and you are able to sit and relax then I might do it, but then again, I only had 3 months off with Bella.

redshoegirl · August 2010

I left work at 29 weeks, so I had 9 weeks off which was waaaaay too long lol! I really do think that 2 weeks would be ideal (I'd have gotten both plenty of nesting and relaxing "me" time in that amount of time), so I'd go with Option 2 that Malia mentioned. Even though you have a whole year off, an extra week with your baby is still an extra week!

inamra · August 2010

It really depends on how you feel. I was so ready to be on leave way before my leave started and I had 4 weeks off (which I totally thought was perfect since I had NOTHING ready by then since work was so busy).

But if you already have almost everything ready, I'd probably save the time for when the baby is here, especially since I'm going through it now and I wish I had more time with the baby. In fact, my leave ends this week and I'm not going back to work next week because I just can't do it. But my leave is only 12 weeks compared to your 1 year (lucky you btw!) so I don't think I'd be ready to go back at 13 weeks either, so it wouldn't have made a difference for me...but if I had 1 year leave, then I would like to have an extra week before going back to work...but that's just me...

GL!

Married2MrWright · August 2010

I'd personally take the time now...next pregnancy I hope to be out at 36-37 weeks just to rest and have the down time before delivery. You lucky canucks get a whole year...I agree with Christine...let's move to Canada! In Bulgaria they get like 3 years off...PAID! Sheesh.

MrsIH · August 2010

I'd welcome all of you with open arms 3 years in Bulgaria, WOW, that is incredible!

I am seriously on the fence about this week being my last... I think my mind was set on having 2 weeks left at work BUT I am seriously considering it for my own well being. It also seems my mind is constantly on the go as is my body (before baby, imagine it after LOL!). Thanks for all of the sound advice, it's always appreciated.

lola808 · August 2010

Chiming in late... but, I took a month off before baby was born and I LOVED IT. It took a week to slow down and get into relaxation mode, but once I did, I milked it for all it was worth. Yes, I was still nesting, but I also went to the beach, took daily walks, went shopping, saw friends, read books, etc. By the time he arrived, I felt truly ready to devote myself to him.

It sounds like you have the gift of time, so why not steal a couple weeks for yourself? When will you ever get that chance again?! Wink

MrsIH · August 2010

lola808:
It sounds like you have the gift of time, so why not steal a couple weeks for yourself? When will you ever get that chance again?!

Amen to this!

kinibruin · August 2010

a whole year?!!? holy cow! and i thought 16 weeks was generous! hehehe

i would want to stick it out, but i know i would be getting antsy....

mrspresley · August 2010

i think it's a good idea to work another week and then reassess but i honestly would try to work the next 9 days... esp if it means more time off after baby is born. as long as your aren't uncomfortable/miserable at work then i would just keep working. the nesting is normal and as long as you don't let yourself get too stressed over it you'll be fine

just remember that the majority of first time moms have their babies late (that's what i've heard at least!)

HulaLove · August 2010

Take the time now and enjoy it!

Seriously, I highly recommend it. You won't have time to yourself for a long time.

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