[WaitForIt]

Hi, I guess the crux of the matter is - what can I expect in the last trimester and how will this affect work?

I'm just under 31 weeks and over the last week I've noticed I'm getting *really* tired in the afternoon - like its the first trimester again but without the queasiness (although now theres reflux...).

This is a lot sooner than I was anticipating, so I'm wondering how many more weeks of work I have in me. I'm just wondering how tired and uncomfortable I am going to get.

Any advice?

[dannikem+1]

It depends on your work type. I was able to work till 38 weeks before DD but I work in an office and was able to use a fit ball to sit on and they reduced my workload towards the end. Also my DH was a great help at home.

I was able to come home and crash and he would come home and cook me dinner.

Sorry not much help but it all depends on your body,the work load that you have at work and what you are expected to do at home

[AvadaKedavra]

Its very individual. I worked 60 hour weeks until 38.5 in my first pregnancy. This time stopped at 32 due to it being more convenient for work - but i was doing 80 hour weeks this pregnancy so didn't mind stopping early.

Women work in the fields until the day they deliver on many countries. I'm not suggesting that we should all aspire to that, but pregnancy is normal, not an illness, and unless there are medical problems, there is no reason other than how you feel to stop working any earlier than 38-40 weeks. (Please don't take that the wrong way, I don't think everyone should, and if you afford to stop working earlier, you should be able to stop whenever you want, and I don't think women who stop work early are 'wusses' or anything - I'm just making the point that many DO work until late term, and there is no external reason why you shouldn't if you're well enough to and your work is safe enough to allow it).

[bubmakes3]

I think it depends on your job and just how you feel.
I worked till the 19th of the month and DS was due on the 30th - he was born on the 31st. I was feeling fine so stuck at it - I was still catching the train to work and having to go out on site - including daytrips trips to Bathurst - flying usually with the occasional drive (the last Bathurst trip was 2 weeks prior to finishing work). But I had a trouble free pregnancy with no MS, no other issues etc - next time might be completly different!

[Fanny McPhail]

My considerations for when to finish work include:

Type of work: Is it physical, child minding, nursing, or the type of job where you are on your feet alot. As somebody else mentioned if you are in an office its a lot easier.

Hours you work: Are you expected to do long days/shift work or is it the regular 9 to 5.

Commute: Bus/train/walking or Drive?

With my first, I was in a full-time role (37.5hrs week) my work was based in the office and doing field work when necessary (all over Australia). I stopped the field work around 31 weeks, at my employers request, and became office based. I requested a car spot at the same time and reduced my commute from a 1.5 hour bus/walk combo to an hours drive. I worked up to 36 weeks and had DS at 38 weeks.

With my second, I worked part time (22.5) same role and location. I stopped field work around the same time and got a car spot around the same time as before. I finished work at 35 weeks and had DD at 39 weeks.

The only other thing to consider is if you deal with clients you may feel the need to rip their heads off when they are completely petty and annoying, especially if they are male and work for a large commonwealth agency (although that could just have been me).

Other things to consider are if you are planning on only taking a certain amount of leave i.e 12 months the move time you take before the baby is born the less you have when the baby is born IYKWIM and if you take too much time before the baby is born there is a chance you could get really bored at home but that depends if you are easily bored.

What do you do for a living OP?

[WaitForIt]

My plan was 38 weeks, and as my employer is generally really flexible I thought this would be fine. Unfortunately, things just got hectic with a client and they are pushing for me to be onsite consulting with the client, and no flexibility with hours.

I'm struggling to carry my laptop to and from work (I commute by train - 15min walk either end), aren't allowed to leave it at the client workplace, and just feel so tired! If this is as bad as it gets, fine, I can push through. If it starts to get exponentially worse each week, I'm doomed and need to give them the heads up now.

What I don't want to do is pull out of the client work with minimal notice and no one to replace me with.

edit to add: my work isn't physically demanding, but when onsite with a client it gets very heated and stressful. I come in right at the end of a project when things are already delayed, and my results quite often cause a project to get the plug pulled, add significant costs and delay things further.



This post has been edited by gigglet: 10/04/2012, 04:10 PM

[lsolaBella]

I always stopped at 31/32wks PG. I also had all by bubs between 36w3d and 37w5d.

It just gave me time to relax and catch up on some reading and TV/Movies before bubs arrived.

I also went to a talk on PG and managing your career.... they recommend stopping at 34wks. I can't remember the detailed points but you do tend to slow down and become less effective etc. They told the tale of one woman who worked right up to 40wks, but as her performance for the last 10wks of work was 'below par' for her (coming in later, leaving earlier etc) she did not get her bonus as all they could think about was per 'poor' performance at the end of the time and not the good work she did before that. She ended up leaving the job and having to sue for her bonus payment. Too much stress IMHO.

[SeaPrincess]

It depends on your work type. I was able to work till 38 weeks before DD but I work in an office and was able to use a fit ball to sit on and they reduced my workload towards the end. Also my DH was a great help at home.

I was able to come home and crash and he would come home and cook me dinner.

Sorry not much help but it all depends on your body,the work load that you have at work and what you are expected to do at home

I had the same with DS1, and ended up working longer than I wanted to for various reasons and then he was over a week late. However, with DS2, my waters broke at 35w6d. If I were you, I'd probably start handing over.

R

[Beancat]

Hi OP, As with most of the PPs it depends on

how demanding your work is
what your commute is like
how your body is holding out
what the expectations on you are at work.

I stopped at 35 weeks with DS and 36 with DDbut she was born at 38 weeks. The time before DS was very restful and enjoyable and with DD is was a blur as I had DS at home, christmas and DSs birthday.

Also my pregnancies were were different. Wtih DS I put on 22kg and was very tired, as you say it was the same tiredness as morning sickness in T1. Wtih DD I only put on 8kg for the whole pregnancy and felt the best I have ever felt pregnant in T3.

I would take it week by week. Also, depending on your ob, they might give you a medical certificate for a couple of weeks -mine gave me one for week 35 for DS, I was supposed to finish a week later at 36. IT was great b/c the extra week didnt come off my mat leave entitlement

[Freycha]

i worked until 37 1/2 weeks and it was really tough in the last weeks. My feet were swollen so badly i couldn't fit my shoes on by the end of the day and it was exhausting! Also consider taking in a pillow for your chair at work (if you're in an office) as your back will get very sore. mind you i was greatful to be kept busy up until that stage, and my work was very good at letting me go early if i needed to. i also needed a sign letter of consent from my doctor to allow me to work so late into my pregnancy (but i don't know if that's the norm)

It also depends how baby ready you are. if you're planning on using the last few weeks to get things organised (when you've finished up at work) you'll really exhaust yourself. best to leave only little jobs for this time. it's true what they say, get in as much sleep as you can because you'll need every ounce of energy when bub arrives!