Question for working mums

cannyscot_2

In each of my 3 pregnancies I have worked to the very last moment but i only mananged it by being totally religous about sleeping as much as poss. I slept at lunchtime whenever I could -in the car , on a sofa at work, at my desk with my feet up etc et. Going back I think is different as you just don't know what your situation will be -I would think through all the possibilities -there can be complications for either of you or you might just feel differently about going to work/staying at home. In pregnancy nothing is a given best to cover all the bases especially if you are self employed.

Lillibet_2

I worked until 4 weeks before my due date but that was a desk job, driving was very uncomfortable after 34 weeks & to be honest I spent most of the final 2 weeks at work in the loo, either peeing or being sick:o. Not sure how you would deal with that, espeically the need to pee every 20 minutes, as a driving instructor?

Up until a few years ago you didn't used to be insured during the final month of pregnancy & midwives strongley advised against driving during the final 6 weeks (I know this is going to be very controversial but based on my experience I agree so it is at least true for some women) as being heavily pregnant affects your concentration & makes you a driving danger.

If you have a C-section you are automatially not insured to drive for at least 6 weeks afterwards & then only after your Dr/midwife signs you off as safe again so could be longer if you aren't fully healed etc.

As for when you go back, well that's a personal decision once you are safe to drive ( I had a vaginal delivery & was driving 2 days later although would have been far too spaced out with sleep deprevation to be properly safe for any length of time, certainly not safe enough to teach someone else, for at least 4 months). Spud is 51 weeks old & I still haven't gone back to that desk job:o:D

Good luck;)

angelatgraceland

liney wrote:

Extract from 'Yourpeoplemanager.com'

It is unlawful for a woman to return to work within 2 weeks of giving birth (4 weeks for factory employees). A woman who wants to return to work before the end of her maternity leave period (either OML or AML) must give her employer at least 28 days' notice previously this notice period was 21 days.

Thats interesting. when I did this, It was just over 17 yrs ago though. It wasnt the sort of place which would have "stuck to the rules-if it was law back then, they prob thought 12 days was near enough.

LizzieandThomas

Hi,

I finished 10 weeks before i had my baby !!! It was fab!!!

I decided to make the most of my last few months of freedom , and i enjoyed every second off it !

I knew i could only do it with my 1st as next time i would have the 1st born to look after too !

I was so chilled by the time i had my little boy i was then entitled to about 3 and a half months of when lo was born but i took some un paid leave and stayed off an extra 8 weeks.

Do what ever you feel is right for you everyone is different. x

SammyD_2

With both mine I finished 4 weeks before the due date, by which time a commute on crowded trains (and in the height of summer) was getting me down.

Went back when they were both 8 months old. With both children, I thought they were really too little, but that was what was practical. It is my daughter's first birthday next week - would be much nicer if I had had a whole year with her, but life isn't like that.

I would think it would be quite difficult to go back before about 4 months - lack of sleep, and generally allowing yourself enough time to get over the pregnancy and birth. But then people do it. One guy I work with has just had his fourth - she is at nursery age 4 weeks (was surprised they even accepted them). Just made me sad as they don't need the money.

Janepig

SammyD wrote:

One guy I work with has just had his fourth - she is at nursery age 4 weeks (was surprised they even accepted them). Just made me sad as they don't need the money.

:eek: Oh, don't - I mean each to his/her own, but four weeks??? Dear god - I mean I'm a working mother (well I will be again at the end of August) and the thought of putting my 7month old in nursery in September for 3 days a week is killing me, despite the fact that his sister was very happy there and the staff are lovely. Honestly I'm really shocked. Sorry if that offends anyone, but especially as you said they don't need the money. I want to cry now.

Teerah

Hi there,
as a driving instructor I assume you still have to do some driving even though the learner is behind the wheel most of the time. My midwife told me on tuesday that you stop driving when your bump touches the steering wheel, she said it therefore depends on how long your legs are!! As this is your job then that would be when you would have to finish up too. Good luck

Savvy_Sue

cannyscot wrote:

In each of my 3 pregnancies I have worked to the very last moment but i only mananged it by being totally religous about sleeping as much as poss. I slept at lunchtime whenever I could -in the car , on a sofa at work, at my desk with my feet up etc et.

Oh yes, have just remembered that in my first pregnancy, my boss was so concerned about me that she sent me to Health Centre (working in a university at the time) to ask if I could have a lie down at lunch-time, and I used to go off for a little nap each day! :rotfl: Wish I'd had the chance to do that with the next two ... difficult with a demanding toddler or two underfoot!

hampshirebabe

Thanks for all your replys, I know everyone is different, and have no idea how big or tired I will get towards the end, but it was interesting to hear how other women have felt, and coped. To hear some have worked till they almost pooped is the kind of thing I was wondering. I know a couple of female driving instructors with kids, and they worked till 3 weeks before with each of thiers, you can get special attatchments for seatbelts so they're safer, and more comfortable. Luckily with my job, I can work as much or as little as I want, I can plan to finish most of my pupils and then do semi-intensives anything from 6 hours a week to 30.
Going from £100 a day to maternity pay of £100 a week is a big insentive, I'm sure it would be lovely to relax for a couple of months before the birth, but then I'd just be worrying about the money. I'm hoping to have at least 3 months of after and then very gradualy build back up, starting working on hubby's days off, so they can have extra time to bond, thats how I'll sell it to him anyway.
Thanks again, I'd just like to mention how nice and friendly everyone is on here, there have been some contraversial discussions on the pregnancy boards, where everyone is a bit hormonal, and they mostly all end in fights and slanging matches, so thanks for being so understanding.
Mary

kal25

Counting_Pennies wrote:

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

I agree with this,insurance companies differ on their policies. However, I think you should drive until you feel comfortable unless the above stops you. As for when to stop work, you may want to take into account that things don't always go to plan,babies have a habit of doing this to us. My first son I gave up work at 35wks had him at 37wks. I planned on this basis for my second,only he had different ideas and I was taken into hospital at 34wks due to his small growth rate and had csect at 36wks. My daughter I gave up work at 28wks however she decided she was going to wait until her due date regardless,This happend to be new years day. If you do decide to leave quite late I would ensure all your pupils be aware that their lessons may need to be cancelled at short notice if anything happens. I have found it is quite nice to have a little time to yourself before the birth as it will probably be a while before you have some proper me time after. Also nice to take time to prepare nursery, clothes, hospital bags and perhaps shopping before the birth.