Who's still working?

[guitarmama]

I'm 36 weeks and starting to get really uncomfortable. No swelling, but my back, legs and feet are killing me. I work as a substitute teacher, so sometimes sitting down isn't an option, though even sitting hurts sometimes, too. I was planning on working 'til the first week of Feb., but I'm not sure if I can make it that long. However, I'm afraid I might get depressed if I stay home waiting to go into labor. Just wondering how the rest of you working pregos are handling it.

[Honeybee'smama]

Another substitute teacher here! Not exactly a job where sitting is an option most of the time. And it takes so much mental/emotional energy too! I had planned to keep working another 3 weeks or so but am not sure I am going to make it that far. I think I am going to try taking more half day jobs, though those are not as common. It is really hard though, it wears me out so much! And I am so uncomfortable through the day. Not to mention issues about times I can use the bathroom!

[Boobiemama]

Although I work at home, I am still working! And some days I really dont want to, but then I dont want to sit around doing nothing either! I do a lot of work late at night, then go to bed, and in the morning I am very sore. My feet hurt from standing on the hard floor in my sewing room. I cant sit for too long, cuz I think that hurts more than standing! uughgh, I am a mess!
I am looking forward to the nice break when baby comes!

[MelissaRose]

I'm still working too. I'm going to try to work up to the big day, even though I would like nothing more then to go on leave now. Luckily my job is pretty much a desk job, so not a lot of standing. It's mentally draining though--my job is determining eligibility for welfare benefits. I deal with a lot of difficult situations and difficult people. I would love to just go on leave and rest. It would have to be unpaid leave though, and I just don't think we can afford it.

[M_of_M]

I am due Feb 20th (actually Feb15-Feb20) and I am still working too. My last day at work is Feb 10th and then I have 9 days of vacation. So, my maternity leave officially starts Feb 24th.

I have a 'desk job' but lately I have been having some problems with my doctor (posted a vent somewhere here) and all I can think of now is what's the next step in terms of solving it. So, I am physically at work and in front of a computer, but mentally I am not there. Throughout the day I constantly keep reminding myself to concentrate as I have to finish 1 large project before month end. Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Yep still working. I work in a photography studio. Lot's of standing for long periods of time, lifting, streching, squatting, crawling on my knees. Most of you already have kids and have witnessed a photographer and all thier duties at a photo shoot for your kids. So am sure you get the picture. I did take one of my excercise ball to work and sit on it instead of the hard bucket seat chairs. This has helped some. I did start thinking today how nice it would be to go ahead and go on leave but financially I really need to work all the way up to the big day. So instead of starting an early leave I talked to my boss and got an extra day off for rest.

Just a little tidbit that is helping my aching feet back etc. Find an ICPA chiropractor in your area. It is amazing how much better your week will go with just one adjustment per week and it helps your baby be in a better position for birth.

[krizty]

I'm still working too. I work 6 hours a day until I deliver. My hubby and I carpool to work, so most of the time I end up working the full shift anyways. It's better for me and the baby because we get exercise during the day. Also, I've noticed that I hurt more after a long weekend from sitting around.

[*violet*]

Still working here, 32 hours a week at the office. I plan on working until I give birth - no paid leave because I am part-time. UGH!! The hardest part is the mornings. Dh is a teacher, so he's gone before I get up. Getting up the toddler and getting him and myself ready, feeding the dogs, getting him to daycare, and then getting to work wears me out before the day even starts.

[AndiG]

ditto what Niki Jeanne said, I'm 32 hours a week in an office for at least two if not four more weeks. Have two little ones (DD in JK and ds in preschool part time) to get ready plus me in the morning so that's certainly like putting in a days' work before I even get here some days

dh works at home but genuinely gets up and goes straight to work so the morning routine (including making all the breakfasts and the packed lunches ) is mine and mine alone.

oh well... just a few more weeks.

[guitarmama]

Hats off to all you working mamas!!! I don't know how you do it. I can hardly get my pregnant self out the door in the morning.

[Audreysmama]

Another teacher here too! I quit my part time job this year and am staying home (for the most part) and loving it. However one of my schools called and asked if I would work 3 hours a week...one day...so I am still doing that. I won't be going back after the baby though. I agree with Nicole that just getting the kids out the door and to my friends house wears me out before all the walking and talking I do at school, not to mention getting them out of my friends house! They are never ready to leave! I did work full time up to going into labor with my first and part time with my second, delivering both girls on days I had also worked. It is tough, but it can be done!

[nostrow]

Oh, count me in as another 40hr office worker here!!! (Well, it's actually been more like 32, I can't seem to get in here on time anymore.... ) I was actually just thinking about this the other day. I'm taking better care of myself this pregnancy, getting massages, chiro weekly and craniosacral work and I feel worse! How is that possible? I think sitting on my but all day is really doing a number on my lower back. I did bring an exercise ball into work months ago and I've been sitting on it when I remember and I'm not wearing a skirt! I'm the office manager and I really don't want to be here anymore but I get no paid leave so I really want to work up until I absolutely can't! But my hearts just not in it...... I'm 37 weeks today so we'll see how much longer I last. I think we've finally found my temp so I can start training them in next week! That's one thing off my list....

The big problem with working is that I'm so burnt out by the time I get home I'm really slacking on getting stuff ready for the babe...... Good thing I've got boobies! That's one less thing to worry about!

Nikki

[Lolafanana]

i'm a teacher as well and am still working. teaching is so mentally, physically and emotionally draining that there are times i want to walk out. i teach art on a cart so i have to walk throughout a 4 story building all day. up until this week (i'm 37 weeks) it's been no problem but now all my emotional symptoms i had in the very beginning are coming back- like all i want to do is cry, which is NOT at all condusive to teaching, especailly in the south bronx where i am. BUT having said that, i took off 2 days last week and was MISERABLE! being at home with all the baby stuff made me extremely anxious, nervous, excited, scared and every other emotion imaginable while at the same time, i started to really feel EVERY SINGLE ache and pain and began to focus on that. so, though working has its cons, for me, it makes the time go by quicker, keeps me saner and keeps my mind stimulated. i am hoping to be able to work right up to the end but if i can't, then thats cool, too. whatever feels right and makes me (and baby) less stressed.

[sewingbarbj]

I work at home but I am still working and will be to the end .
It helps me to keep busy.
I definitly can't work as late as I used to .