Question for working mums

hampshirebabe

Maybe that should be a nosy question, I was wondering how long before you gave birth you stayed working, and then how soon after you went back. I'm expecting in feb, and am a self employed driving instructor. It will be my first, and most of my friends have no kids, so aren't much help. I know its a controversial point, but an interesting one as well I think.
Thanks
Mary

in_my_wellies

I think it depends how you feel. How long will you feel safe? Will you be too tired? I think for a first baby women work longer then have more time off afterwards.

Broken_hearted

I left 3 weeks before baby was born and went back when he was around 4 months old.

hampshirebabe

Thanks Broken hearted, (sorry your broken hearted) Thats about what I was thinking. Mary

Janepig

Hi Mary - I think these days most people like to work as late as they can beforehand so they can have more time off afterwards, although it's nice to have some time off when you're feeling particularly huge, to relax and get your sleep in before those night feeds!!!!

My situation is a bit different to yours I suppose because I'm not self-employed, so with my first child in 2003 I had five weeks off beforehand and had also used my leave to work shorter weeks before that, so I really eased myself in. That was also the plan this time around, I was due at the end of January this year and was planning to finish work on the 12th January - however, I finished work for the Christmas holidays on Friday 23rd December and was in hospital with contractions on Christmas morning, DS being born by CS at 12.34 on Boxing day morning, five weeks early!!!!! So these things never go to plan!!!!!

As for going back to work, two days after I came out of hospital this time I could have gone back to work - I think because I felt I hadn't finished "properly", I really pined for it. However that wore off and I'm due back at the end of August and I'm really, really dreading it, not helped by the fact that I work for the Probation Service and all the adverse publicity we've been having recently doesn't help!!!

Anyway, most importantly, enjoy your pregnancy, it's the last time you'll have everyone making a fuss of you!!!!

Jxxxx

tru

I finished my full time job 6 weeks before the due date. But he was born early so it was actually 3 weeks :rolleyes: I didn't go back to that job.

I was working part time as well, I finished on the saturday night, had him on thursday, had the weekend off and was back to work the following thursday

iwanttosave_2

I am self employed also and I was working the day before I gave birth, I only stopped because I had to go into hospital to be induced :rotfl:

angelatgraceland

I worked until the time I was told I was able to leave which I think was either 6 or 8 weeks before the birth of my first dd. I took a part time job when she was about 6 months old and her Grandad loooked after her for 2 afternoons a week or sometimes a friend. Later on, I took an evening job instead, and she stayed at home with her dad. Trouble with this was-we were like passing ships! As he came home-an hour later, I had to leave for work. It was only 3 or 4 nights a week though and we had no choice moneywise as it was 15% mortgage rate at that time. I kept working like this(more or less)for the next 4 yrs until I left work to have my son when I was 5 months pregnant. I returned 12 days after his birth as they "needed me" and it was just a corner shop, literally just around the corner for just a Saturday and a Sunday morning so hubby was looking after the kids. I then stayed there for about 2 yrs and then I left and stayed home for the next 12 yrs. Money had got better for hubby and I just had too much on my plate with 3 kids! I returned to work just 4 yrs ago for just 12 hrs per week as I realy truly needed the adult company and interests outisde of the home. Motherhood is my number one but I do feel that it isnt absolutely everything.

Counting_Pennies_2

troo wrote:

I was working part time as well, I finished on the saturday night, had him on thursday, had the weekend off and was back to work the following thursday

Not wanting to sound picky, but it is illegal to work until two weeks after the birth.


I worked up until 4 weeks before birth, although I was studying for a degree as well as working fulltime, and I took the final exam 6 days before baby was born.

I personally say if money is tight then you are best off working right up until you can't go on any longer so that you can keep as much time off for later on.

I went back to work 11 months after birth. But if you have the option of slowing back into work, as it sounds you do, it might be good for pin money to go back once maternity pay has finished and ease in slowly until you work out how many hours you can afford not to work. It sounds like you will be entitled to the maternity allowance if you have been paying all your NI etc, might want to check that our if you haven't already.

Statutory maternity pay goes on for 6 months (26 weeks), and if you go back to work during that time the pay will stop. (Shame it isn't due in April as that rule is being scrapped from 1 April 2007, and statutory maternity pay will be for 9 months).

You might also want to double check with your liability insurers to ensure they don't stipulate a minimum date.

ka7e

Hi hampshirebabe
When you finish/re-start work may be influenced by your physical ability to do it! As a driving instructor you need to be able to quickly and effectively take control of a car and at some stage you may find your "bump" hampers you. The last few weeks of pregnancy can also be very tiring and you may be less able to concentrate. As long as you feel you are able to keep yourself and your clients safe, then keep on working.
After the birth you are usually given advice on when to resume driving. C-sections can obviously put you out of action for a while, but any change in your muscle tone can affect your ability to apply brakes quickly.
If you work alone, you will have to cut back the number of clients you take on. Possibly have someone you can pass them on to, in case you have to finish work earlier than expected. When you do want to return to work you should have a bit of money put aside to advertise that you are back!

oueyouey

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and wanted to work until i was 38 weeks pregnant. But bump is getting uncomfortable now and i'm going to finish at 36 weeks instead. But like other people have said each person (and job) is different, it just depends upon how you feel