35 weeks pregnant and I just cant do it. As a mid-level, Ive never been unable to work. Even my 1st trimester, I was billing normally despite being sick and i am 200 hours over my target this year while pregnant. But now, five weeks out, I just can’t. Not because Im sick (I’m not) but bc a random mental wall. But I’m helping prep a team for trial and have to draft two major dispositive reply briefs before leaving. Any advice? How do I say I can’t do it without any excuse other than laziness….

as a young female attorney with no kids, but lots of friends with kids, may I just gently remind you that you are growing a whole HUMAN?!

I think we would all be surprised at how many of us feel exhausted (without being pregnant), just after a long day of being an attorney. so no advice but a reminder to be kind to yourself and give yourself grace, especially as it sounds like you already did the minimum of your job by hitting your target. you do what you can.

Respectfully, YOU ARE NOT LAZY.

You are pregnant and every fiber of your being, while awake and asleep, has spent the last 35 weeks creating a literal human. Your brain is wired to start preparing for your new humans arrival, not trial prep.

I dont have advice about getting over it, but for the love of - well, yourself! - don't call yourself lazy!

At 37 weeks, I got a note from my OB that said I should no longer work, and my AmLaw 200 firm gave me paid leave, no questions asked. Quite a few of us at the firm got doctor’s notes near the end of our pregnancies.

Hi. It’s not laziness. Your body is burning the same amount of calories a day as it takes to run a marathon. You are building a human.

See if your doctor will write you a note to go on disability before your due date. Lots of litigators do that because this job is demanding and growing a human is even more demanding.

I know exactly what you mean except I feel lazy because I’m only 26 weeks pregnant and struggling to get through discovery responses, depos, and MSJs I need to get done before I go on leave. It feels like my brain is operating at 50% and things are not clicking as quickly as they once did. I also found I cannot grind through the day or evening like I once was able to—my body literally starts shutting down and I need to be horizontal by 5pm.

It’s so so hard (I’ve done it 4 times). Things that helped me make it through were prioritizing comfort (jeans/leggings everyday in the office with tanks and cozy cardigans and flat up PJs at home, bought new ones at 35 weeks one time just to have something to feel good in), working from home every second I could (no going into office on dr appt days, at 37 weeks I had strep so I just told my office I was immunocompromised and was working from home for the duration), small work windows with small rewards to move, stretch, drink water and snack (think 45 mins on and 15 mins off), working the hours I felt best at (I felt awful in the morning but good from 8-11 PM for whatever dumb reason), daily walks/exercise/coffee shop run and sitting/laying/standing however was comfortable to ease sciatica (a lot of couch time with my feet up and ice packs on for swelling and yoga ball time).

If you want a bright spot, I never made it past 38 W, 2 D. They act like first time moms are always late but statistically 50% are early.

You can do this, just do your best to make it through with as much sanity as you can in whatever way works for you!!

Adding, in CA in NY it's very common to get benefits through the state starting at 36 weeks. So if you are in either state, look into that if you haven't already.

I remember literally laying on the floor of my office at 35 weeksish (ten years ago), like just take me now! Ha ha. It felt impossible. Your brain doesn't function the same near the end. It just doesn't. It's not you, and it's definitely not laziness. If there's no way to delegate, try to pivot any way you can to get it done on YOUR terms: schedule meetings in shorter windows - with whatever you need in between: all the snacks and sunshine. Put some 'doc appointments' on your calendar and literally just sleep or do nothing at all. And the second that you can blow that popsicle stand, do it without hesitation.

Girl I was DONE DONE at 34w but worked until two days before birth at 39w for my first. I will not be making that mistake again. I was so burnt out those last couple weeks that my brain was constantly on survival mode. All I could think about was “is the baby ok” and “how can I get through the rest of the day”. The last few weeks your body is preparing to give birth to the human you’ve been growing for months, and not only that, but you’re also still carrying and sustaining a whole ass baby in your body still. A baby that could likely live outside the womb at this point, but who is being fed and carried by your body. It’s wild to think about it.

Talk to your Dr and see if you can get a note to start slowing down and/or even be fully remote if you aren’t yet. Wrap things up and start actually delegating to others and pass on the responsibility. You can supervise, but don’t take on the drafting yourself. What happens if you go into labor next week?? The team needs to be able to do it without you at this point.

You’re not lazy. You’re creating a human being. In the final trimester, your body is working nonstop … your heart pumps up to 50% more blood, your metabolism burns 300–500 extra calories a day, and your organs shift to make space for your baby. You’re carrying more weight, using more energy, and still doing everyday tasks. Feeling tired isn’t laziness; it’s your body doing the hardest, most important work there is. Please hold on to this and congrats!

It’s so beautiful that your heart and instincts are preparing you to focus on the greatest miracle of all time childbirth and motherhood. From my experience it is natural to be in this place of desire and at the same time necessary that you manage your energy. Best wishes!

At 35 weeks your team should be transitioning your coverage to another atty bc, respectfully, you never know what might happen between now and your delivery. Instead of focusing on you hitting a wall, put it to your team as wanting to make sure there aren't gaps in coverage in case you have a medical emergency and/or early delivery. Whoever is covering for you will probably be grateful to have extra time to get up to speed while you're available, rather than being dropped into something while you're totally out of pocket with a newborn.

Yea, what you’re dealing with isn’t just “laziness” it’s against your natural protocol right now so you’ll be pulling yourself by the hair to finish those assignments. I think you should just delegate it out to an independent contractor, start faking labor pains, or get a note from your doctor.