Stupid questions?

[bubbles82]

I don't know if it's just me, but I seem to be getting asked a lot by people if I've finished work now, since I was about 20 weeks a lot of people seem to assume I stopped working. I'm really surprised by this, as 1) my work wouldn't let me start my maternity leave that early if I wanted to, 2) there's no reason why I can't work still and 3) what the hell would I do all day every day now if I'd already given up working, just sit around for 5 months and wait for baby to arrive, whilst bringing in zero money?!

Does anyone else get asked this a lot? I find it strange a lot of the people asking have already had kids too, so it's not like it's just people who don't understand pregnancy or maternity leave, and I'm sure none of them stopped working soon after they found out they were pregnant so I really don't get why they think I have.

Also, a lot of people are assuming I'm not going back to work. This would be lovely, but there's no way I could afford not to go back to work, plus with the type of job I have, I don't have the choice to just leave anyway.

 

[Louppey]

That's crazy, you can't start statutory maternity til 29 weeks anyway? Haha. I wish I could start this early if I'm being honest but I'll be working til around mid September.

 

[bubbles82]

That's crazy, you can't start statutory maternity til 29 weeks anyway? Haha. I wish I could start this early if I'm being honest but I'll be working til around mid September.

Yeah me too! I'd soon get bored though and spend my time buying more and more baby stuff I probably don't need! At the moment I'm officially due to start my maternity leave on my due date, and I've booked some holiday for a couple of weeks before, so working as late as possible although this may change nearer the time! I hate the idea of using up leave before baby is even here, especially if they decide to come late.

 

[Swanny]

Yep, I think a lot of older people are very surprised how close us ladies work up to our due date. I think back in the day...if women worked at all they went on maternity leave at about 5 months lol.

I'll be working up to 2 weeks before my due date all being well. Although with my last pregnancy I moved it forward a week and finished 3 weeks before due date and he came 9 days early so body must have been telling me it was time to finish work.

I'll see how I go this time.

x

 

[d_b]

Years ago it was sort of expected to leave your job when you started showing, so a lot of older people might assume you're going to stop work soon.

As for the people with kids, I have no idea why they would ask you that! Probably just making conversation.

 

[sheldonsmommy]

Farmers and people who were self-sufficient would work up until the birth if they were able back in the day.

I stopped working at about 37 weeks last time, and I was working 12 hour shift work. Do what your body allows you to do because there's only so much nesting you can do lol

 

[Longl3gz]

I recently got laid off temporarily. I'm a therapist and right now I'm subbing for them. It doesn't make sense I'm the one who got laid off, but that's a long story.

Anyways I was so depressed when staying home for hours on end. There are not a lot of therapist jobs that will take pregnant women. People have asked me a whole bun h of questions I get tired of like:

1) so are you not gonna work now?
2) are you wanting part time?
3) are you gonna sue the company who laid you off?
4) who would hire a pregnant woman?
5) are you bored?

Ahhhh!

 

[bekkie]

People ask me when I'll be done work and I tell them I'm stopping at 39 weeks (Sept 13) and they think I'm crazy... I sit at a desk all day, why waste mat leave being at home!

 

[bubbles82]

People ask me when I'll be done work and I tell them I'm stopping at 39 weeks (Sept 13) and they think I'm crazy... I sit at a desk all day, why waste mat leave being at home!

My thoughts exactly! I'm restricted to desk duties at work now, so I literally sit there and do not a lot all day, I'm better off doing that at work and getting paid for it than doing nothing at home! The way I see it, every day I use of maternity leave before baby is even here, is another day earlier I have to go back when baby is here, I'd rather use the time then getting to know my little one than waiting for them to arrive.