https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 12:23:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769904 Thu, 09 May 2013 11:15:22 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 769904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: How did you end up working from home? Did your boss propose it or you? I want to (badly) start working from home, but I don't know if it would fly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769903 Thu, 09 May 2013 11:15:18 +0000 LazyLightning 769903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: yes. and it's all day/night sickness again, just like it was before... so nasty!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769898 Thu, 09 May 2013 11:14:33 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 769898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LazyLightning: are you having "morning" sickness again? I think I may be getting my nausea back as well.. and I'm grumpy again.. : ( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769894 Thu, 09 May 2013 11:13:57 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 769894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm ready right now (38W)! I wasn't ready last week because I felt like I'd leave too many loose ends untied, but now I am ready. I got most of my to-dos crossed off, filed all the documents on my desk and have transitioned most of my projects. Get me out of here!! Planning to work up until due date right now.. : ( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769391 Thu, 09 May 2013 08:48:30 +0000 LazyLightning 769391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I was ready immediately. I was so so sick for the first half of my pregnancy. Now my sickness is back toward the end... but to be realistic, it'd have been nice to stop working at 30 weeks or so. I still had a little energy to get things done around the house. I'm going to stop working at 38 weeks - that's only 1 more week away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769284 Thu, 09 May 2013 08:16:42 +0000 Boheme 769284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm almost 37 weeks and I am mentally just done. I don't want to use any of my leave before baby arrives, but I'm really uncomfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769216 Thu, 09 May 2013 07:38:19 +0000 ValentineMommy 769216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mentally checked out at like....25 weeks. Lol</p> <p>I started working from home full time an entire month before my maternity leave began. It was the greatest thing ever. I barely got out of bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769086 Thu, 09 May 2013 05:55:30 +0000 Cherrybee 769086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oooh, I feel you! I'm done already!! </p> <p>I'm 28 weeks now and I'm just exhausted! My left hip feels like it has basically fallen apart so I can't hobble more than a few steps without being in pain. It's bad physically when I have to run training sessions (I teach adult training courses about 1/3 of my time) but the rest of my job is strategy and - urgh - I just can't muster the energy to care any more!! "What's our plan for next year?" "Erm, breastfeeding?". My nesting drive has really kicked in and I just want to be at home or researching baby gear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-769063 Thu, 09 May 2013 04:58:44 +0000 Charm54 769063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: oh I can definitely see how ill be ready earlier than I think - its an exhausting job!! I guess I'm a bit nervous since ill be gone for so long. It's making me nostalgic when usually at this time of year I'm all "come on summer!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768817 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:31:32 +0000 deerylou 768817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: Hahah, nope, not sad! I'm hoping LO comes a little early, too. As much as I crave maternity leave, I'm going to go stir crazy, and eventually start complaining about *that*. Haha, I want to get this show on the road. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768812 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:29:04 +0000 swedishfish 768812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: Is it sad that I'm hoping LO comes a week or so early? I just want to be done for the school year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768798 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:23:47 +0000 lavender 768798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 30 weeks when I was done, I'm a dental hygienist and after awhile I had a hard time reaching my patients... But I lasted until 39 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768797 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:23:25 +0000 mamimami 768797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was ready as soon as I found out I was pregnant LOL. My mat leave started at 34 weeks and not a minute too soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768793 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:20:58 +0000 deerylou 768793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: I would have probably done the same, had summer not come before my due date. DD is just on a prime schedule, I guess. I'm almost 32 weeks, and repeat the, "I can't do this, anymore" mantra in my head nearly every morning. </p> <p>I've had to push my nails in my palms when my students are being big pills, lately. Not to downplay desk jobs - I know those are grueling, themselves, but teaching/working with children is quite the journey, while heavily pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768777 Wed, 08 May 2013 20:14:30 +0000 swedishfish 768777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a little over 34 weeks and today was the first day that I woke up and thought "I can't do this anymore"...hoping tomorrow is a better day! It's hard to be a teacher and constantly on the move. I'm ready to be done.</p> <p>ETA - and unless my doctor puts me on bed rest, I will be at work until I go into labor. Sad face :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768705 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:48:04 +0000 autumnlove 768705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was ready at 36 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768702 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:46:21 +0000 Bookish 768702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at 30w and I'm done. I count down the days, and since work is fairly slow over the summer, I spend half my day looking at baby stuff. I could very happily go on maternity leave NOW! No tips for coping, unfortunately... I'm just sucking it up and whining to myself :p </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768695 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:42:10 +0000 deerylou 768695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I worry about this too, especially since I'll be off work about three weeks before my official due date. Admittedly, we have done very little with our nursery and still have so much to gather/buy/decorate for baby (my shower is next weekend), so I figure that could potentially keep me busy. However, I almost went mentally insane back in January when I was home for 7 days with a debilitating flu, so I have to make sure I keep myself occupied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768686 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:37:32 +0000 yoursilverlining 768686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor pulled me at 38 weeks because of massive swelling and raising blood pressure. It was a chore to go into work, but it was honestly so much better than bring home just twiddling my thumbs with nothing really productive to do. I still had zero energy at home haha so at least at work I got things done during the day vs. just lazying around the house. A week of that was ok then I was pulling my hair out haha reason #73629 why I could never be a SAHW! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768685 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:37:27 +0000 cascademom 768685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably about 34 weeks or so for me. At one point, I hated commuting in the hot, sticky weather being all big and pregnant. I definitely checked out at one point and focused on getting the nursery ready. I think I stressed more about that than finishing my work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768677 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:31:24 +0000 deerylou 768677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Ditto, basically. I'm barely putting effort into my outfits, these days. Just, open closet, pull out something that doesn't clash. Covers belly? Good. Too much pregnant cleavage? Throw on a scarf. And done. Zoom off to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768671 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:27:38 +0000 deerylou 768671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@char54: Most of the students I work with are in 2nd and 3rd grade - I really love this age!</p> <p>Believe me, this has been a recent development, probably starting around 29 weeks. I love my job, as well, but I am seriously ready to go. Nothing against the kids, I'm just physically finished. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768664 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:25:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 768664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 28 weeks and I feel like I'm just going through the motions at this point! I try to care... but I just don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768663 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:24:38 +0000 Charm54 768663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious about this! I was just thinking today that I love work (2nd grade teacher) and am a bit sad at the thought Of not teaching at all next year. Ill be going off at 28 weeks (thanks to summer vacation) and wonder if ill be ready or not! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768661 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:24:26 +0000 deerylou 768661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: I just feel like such a lazy slug. I drive home from work, thinking, "I'll get back, do a few loads of laundry, wipe the counters down, and go for a walk."</p> <p>.....and then I sit down, eat a peanut butter bagel and nap for 2 hours. UGH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768654 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:22:03 +0000 photojane 768654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I can't even give you tips on how to cope, because I didn't cope! haha. I only worked PT, and still came home and collapsed. I took a nap every day (and had an excuse). I miss that part of being pregnant! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768646 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:15:46 +0000 deerylou 768646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Haha, for real. That is how I would describe myself - done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768638 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:10:58 +0000 photojane 768638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was ready for leave at like 28 weeks (haha!), but I worked until 36 weeks. I was so done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-were-you-ready-for-maternity-leave#post-768632 Wed, 08 May 2013 19:09:06 +0000 deerylou 768632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a school-based behavior therapist in an elementary school setting. Most days, I go home super fulfilled and excited for the next day. While challenging, my students are truly wonderful and I genuinely enjoy what I do.</p> <p>However, lately I've found myself unable to give the same levels of enthusiasm, focus and patience. I am starting my maternity leave in June, at 37 weeks, but could seriously go on leave tomorrow and be a happy camper. I go home after work, and usually find myself neglecting chores, exercise, and hobbies just to flippin' sleep. I'm exhausted and uncomfortable by the end of the day, and recently, it has reached new levels. </p> <p>When did you "check out" before your maternity leave started? Any tips on how to cope with a smile these last few weeks before I go on leave? </p>