When did you stop work?

[CollectorofCookbooks]

Am 25+4 with twins and had hoped to work til 33 weeks - I've been ridiculously healthy this pregnancy and the main problem is tiredness.

Yet talking to various people they seem horrified and think I'll be shattered, will struggle etc. I work 2 days a week in an office, the rest from home - it's not like I'm commuting every day. I do find those two days hard work but can get through them knowing its only for two days IYSWIM.

Just trying to get a feeling for whether I am being too ambitious or not? DH very supportive of me finishing earlier, but don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage when I don't need to (and there's the money aspect!)

[gardenpixie32]

I had quite a bit of energy in the second trimester and a trouble free pregnancy too.

By week 28 though, the exhaustion kicked in. I finished work at 28 weeks with two weeks leave tagged on the end, so officially finished at 30 weeks. At 30 weeks my bump measured 40 weeks, so I was enormous! I don't think I could have done even one more week. Glad I didn't as the babies arrived 4 weeks later. I think it also depends on what type of work you do, mine was quite physical work 8am-6pm 5 days a week.

[vinhotinto]

36 weeks but I felt fine until then

[DeepRedBetty]

I went to 32 weeks, mainly because I had to (self-employed). Needed to deal with the christmas rush. I was tired but I managed.

I then had what I thought was about four weeks to sort things out. However dds did not agree on this subject and insisted on arriving halfway through week 33. At which point I had a buggy and a pack of six vests, and absolutely nothing else at all!

[Mandy21]

Like you say, it depends on what you do and how much energy it takes - getting there and once you are at work. I was working full time, doing a 120 mile round trip commute (leaving the house at 6am). PLanned to stop at 29 weeks, have 3 weeks leave and then start mat leave at 32 weeks. I never got that far (for completely different reasons) but I don't think I'd have fitted behind the steering wheel much past 30 weeks.

[Randomkath]

I had a pretty good pregnancy too and finished at 30 weeks, but I spent the next 4 weeks doing about 4-5 hours 'work' a day writing up my work experience portfolio to get my chartered accountancy qualification. So if you're mainly working from home and otherwise well and able to sleep at night still, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to cope with it. It was the travelling into work rather than work itself that I found exhausting, but I had to walk and get a train. If you drive it might be easier, but might still have problems and start to get uncomfortable as your bump gets supersized! I did start winding down taking midweek days off from about 25 weeks. It was induced at 38 weeks and it wasn't until the last 2-3 weeks that I really started to struggle. I got to a point where could hardly walk and was just so uncomfortable to move even to turn over in bed. Was impossible to get much sleep at night so just had no energy to do anything during the day except eat, read, watch tv and nap (ah sounds wonderful, why didn't i appreciate it at the time!)

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

My waters broke at my desk. So not quite early enough! (30 weeks)

[CollectorofCookbooks]

Plenty of food for thought, thank you! My boss has said I can work from home rather than come in - he's seen me for the first time in a fortnight today and said he can see I'm struggling. So might split it - one day in, one at home, or do half days in the office. I'm not too big yet but I'm sure at some point I won't fit behind the steering wheel!

[Mononoke]

I finished at 30 weeks, I had lots of Al So hoped to take it before my mat leave started and was looking forward to a break as I was huge and uncomfortable by then. My bump went over my knees when I sat down and I was starting to struggle at work, which was quite an active physical job.

I ended up going in to labour 2 days after I left, so I didn't get that break I was after.

[chutneypig]

35 weeks here, full time. I wouldn't have wanted to do any longer, also DH drove. That was a big factor. Also was next to the hospital at work.

[sandiy]

I stopped at 28 weeks my consultant insisted.Ironically I worked in neonatal unit and he caught me dashing down the corridor to an emergency prem delivery.I was bored to tears at home and did nt deliver until 37 and half weeks ironically.

[toomuchpink]

I stopped at 31 weeks and was finding it a struggle by then, but everyone is different. If you feel like you can cope, and you don't have any complications, then I would have thought the best thing for you to do would be carry on.

[gumbo611]

Sorry a bit late to respond. I got to 34 weeks full time ,although I was knackered in the evening. Sat behind a desk though so was pretty easy.I was ready to leave by the end though. One thing I learnt through all of this is everyone is different, just take it as you find it and if gets too much, speak with your boss and leave. Carrying twins does not have to mean everything is double the hard work, just listen to your body and look after yourself. My twins came elective c section at 36+5. Good luck with yours.Best wishes.x

[thegirlinthesassyspace]

Also did 2 days in office and 3 from home, ended up leaving on week 30. Was bored for the first 3 weeks of mat leave, wishing for the day the twins would come.
All I can say now is that time was absolute luxury!!! Twins are now 18 weeks old!!
Rest and prepare every day of your mat leave! X

[CollectorofCookbooks]

Sorry, didn't realise so many of you had been kind enough to comment after I'd stopped checking the thread.

I ended up being signed off with SPD at 27 weeks - am 29 weeks now and definitely not bored! Not sure that will be the case in 8 weeks if I get that far, but am taking the chance to rest, read and generally relax.

Thanks for all your comments, really appreciated them.