Maternity Leave: When is everyone starting?

klcarr19

I think the part about baby coming that has me completely nerve racked is going on maternity leave. I am a teacher and I am on the work until she comes plan but I am starting to second guess that (mostly fear of being in the middle of teaching a lesson in front of 24 kids and going into active labor).

I did a search but nothing really answered my question.

Just wondering how everyone else is prepping for leaving work and when you plan to start your leave?

littlecuddlesB

I am also a teacher and have the same fear. I am going to go until my due date and then probably starty leave. I am taking the rest of the year off so I am not worried about saving the days so I can be home with him.

finallyourturn2

I was on the work until the babies come plan, but my body had other plans and BP randomly skyrocketed so my doctor took me out of work @33 weeks.

littlecuddlesB

Oh I wish my dr would do that for me. I am getting way tired of going to work!

littlecuddlesB

Sorry my comment says edited!!! It was just too wordy.

Bostonchelle

I worked up until my daughter was born (she was early- I actually should have been at work the day she was born) and I will do the same with this baby. You aren't likely to go into labor in such a way that your kids would really need to know unless your water breaks at work (a fear of mine!). I know of some moms who took a week off before their due date and were a week late leaving them twiddling their thumbs for two weeks. If have limited time for leave save it for when baby is here.

amismom

I plan on working till I either go into labor or become too uncomfortable to continue. I'm a waitress and it can be very uncomfortable to be on my feet for long periods. With my first I left work a week before my due date and then I went two weeks past my due date. It's really a personal choice. That much time before baby is what some moms need. Some don't find it necessary.

Also, It's not typical that when you go into labor it will be active labor right away. There is definitely time for you to recognize what's happening and get ready. If your water breaks that might be embarrassing. My water broke before I went into any kind of labor. I can imagine that teaching a class or waiting on a table when your water breaks is not optimal. So again, it's really up to you.

klcarr19

Thanks for all the input. We are doing high stakes state testing the week before due date. I have a reoccurring nightmare that my water breaks in the middle of giving the state test (the whole once the door closes no one comes in or out for the 90 minute session)! I'm sure all will be perfect and fine but those "what if" situations scare me!

klcarr19

finallyourturn2 said:

I was on the work until the babies come plan, but my body had other plans and BP randomly skyrocketed so my doctor took me out of work @33 weeks.

I hope you are doing ok! Keep that BP low and rest up for those beautiful babies!

StephUng

I support the work until baby comes plan. With my first, I stopped working about 2 weeks before the due date and I got so stir crazy. However, my house was spotless, the nursery was completely done, and I worked on a lot of artwork I never had time for before. But I wished I'd kept working.
And labor starts in a non-dramatic way (usually). I was crampy and "off" for almost a full day before my water broke and active labor began.

Khill2188

My C-Section is scheduled for March 6th and my last day of work is February 26th. I work nights so I wanted to have some time to hopefully catch up on some sleep and have the house clean, everyones laundry caught up, groceries stocked, and everything ready so I don't have too much to worry about when we get home.

With my boys, I worked up until the day I had them but I wished that I had taken some time to relax a little and have everything ready.

saramatt84

My c section is March 3rd my leave starts on the 24th of this month

Christina1939

My due date is March 10, and my last day at work in Feb 27. My work gives 12 weeks of maternity leave so I have plenty. Also I am in graduate school full time in addition to working, so I really need that week of two before my due date to get ahead on my classes! But yea I am a bit worried stopping working full time before my due date is going to keep the bun in past my due date due to less activity... I guess I'll just take extra walks

youngbride3752

My due date is March 25th and March 1st will be my last day. I am a department manager (and for February stand in store manager!!) And am on my feet a lot! My whole pregnancy has been hard on my back so I want the time to rest and take care of myself and clean house before baby comes. It really is each to their own. Best of luck to you!

nicolerae90

Due to the limited time i have...im working until i labor. I dread it every day, well because CNA work is hard, but i definitely rather optimize my time off with baby then be at home. Also the work load as a cna will probably help progress my stalled labors

chelseeea

I started my leave at 33 weeks because my job was too physically demanding. Honestly, you just need to so what works for you and your body. You don't want to overdo it before baby comes. Maybe you could even take a week off before your due date, and then you won't have to worry (as much) about going into labour at work. Best of luck to you!

LynnBrown4

My due date is March 27th and I am starting maternity leave on March 21st. But am taking two weeks of vacation prior to mat leave (since my mat/parental leave is almost a full year, they would go to waste if I didn't), so will be off as of March 7th. 

myjessesgirl

I'm home now after two days of preterm labor at 32 weeks. I had every intention of staying at work until my due date of March 15. And as others have mentioned, you likely will not start with massive amounts of pain or inability to function when you go into labor. And even if your water breaks first, which is rare, it is typically not a lot and you should notice it before anyone else does. But you can certainly decide to take an earlier leave if you feel it is better to do so and for peace of mind. You might be much too uncomfortable to stand and teach toward the very end anyway.

Jenay25

I work in retail and I'm terrified of going into labor at work! I'm due March 7th so I decided to start my leave February 28th in hopes of not getting into that situation...We will see if baby cooperates with that plan!

klcarr19

In worried because our school district changed the policy for maternity leave 6 weeks for regular birth and 8 weeks for csection. I have to use my sick days I've built up in my shirt four years. So I get 6 weeks as of right now. If I take longer I go unpaid which equals to 350.00 deducted from my salary... So basically if I take off my due date and little miss is stubborn for a week or so I burn a week of paid time and force myself to go back to work early or take unpaid time. I won't complain though since I do get to go back for a month of work and be home with my LO for 3 months!

EmiLunda

Hi there! I live in Austria and here the welfare system allows us to go on maternity leave 8 weeks before giving birth. We still receive the same pay or better. I'm an occupational therapist and went on maternity leave at the beginning of December (still had some holidays to get rid of). I don't know when I'll go back to work after the baby...maybe in one or one and a half years time. I can't imagine working until the due date...I find that impossible. How can you run around being a waitress in such a state??? I am awe of you!!! I wish all of you the best and that everything works out well...without any waters breaking in public.

BabySuleman

I'm a teacher too. I'm due March 21st, and I'm working until March 13th. The 13th is the last day before March break starts in Ontario, so it's a natural break for me. I teach grade one, and am on my feet all day, so I'm also worried about going into labour early.

shellmack

Austria sound awesome @EmiLunda‌ !
My due date is March 5- and I am also a teacher (high school). With where the term ends etc it made sense for me to give my replacement time to transition in and get the kids used to him- so my last day is Feb 15. I'm in Canada - I get 4 months of 95% of my pay and the rest of a year with employment benefits (I think it's close to 65% of my pay?).
I work at a private school and I don't plan on returning here after mat leave (for various reasons). So while I'm a little unsure about having so much time to get baby ready I'm going to try and just enjoy my last few weeks sans child. Rest, get things ready, quality time with my senior citizen father etc.

helendalton

Can't you talk to you manager regarding alternate cover at least for exams if that is worrying you. For my first I took 2 weeks leave before due date then was 2 weeks over. Was going crazy bored by time of birth. Due 22 mar this time so intend working till 20 mar as long as feeling well but as I understand it babies have their own plans and come when they want.

Christina1939

The United States has terrible maternity leave policies. 

Jealous of all of you moms in other countries!

brown101

I worked in retail (store manager) and went into labor at work with my son. It wasn't anything to worry about... It actually kept my mind straight... I left work when my contractions were 15 minutes apart. I plan on doing the same thing this time around... I'm still terrified of my water breaking at work!!

Christina80xoxo

I'm actually going on leave at exactly 35 weeks. I'm a nurse in a prison. I'm just not comfortable anymore abd I can't run across the yards or up the tiers anymore. In California we only get 55% of our pay on disability. I just can't do it anymore , so I'll figure out the money situation later.

ahop33

I'm in California so I am taking the offered 4 weeks prior to due date. It's a use it or lose it thing meaning you can't add it to your "after baby comes" time off and I get full pay so why not!

socalma

My job lets us take 16 weeks. I wanted all 16 with DS. Doc put me in bed rest yesterday, 6 weeks before edd of 19 March. I'm not sure if I have to consider this bed rest maternity leave, or if it's in addition to the 16 weeks authorized by the union agreement.

babystarin

We get 12 weeks maternity at 60% pay (my husband is also going to try and take 12 weeks too but no pay). I plan on working until I deliver as I work at the hospital I'm delivering at and also have a desk job. The only thing I'm worried about is my water gushing but I just keep telling myself that it usually trickles and try not to think of it much.

noodlienoodles

I am going to work until my due date. My job isn't protected under FMLA, but my bosses are nice enough to keep it for me for a 12 week leave.

I'm not really worried about my water breaking at work. I sit all day long and I never see any customers throughout the day. I figured I'll just bring a towel when it gets closer to my due date! Haha

brunnesa

I live in Canada and am a teacher. I stopped working at the end of semester one, January 30 - I'm due March 6. We have 52wks of paid maternity leave here. It's not my full pay, but until 6 wks post-partum my school district tops me up. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to nap and take care of myself before the baby and even more thankful to have a year of time at home with my first baby.

aprilk86

Working till labor day unfortunately. Took a long time to save up six weeks of time off so I wanna make sure I have all that time with my baby since I can't afford to take any time unpaid

Chcaggie1

I'm due Febr 25 and my last day of work is Feb 20th. In my mind this is perfect but if he comes early I will be so sad I didn't get any days off to rest/prep. If I start feeling crampy or getting some labor signs I will certainly stop working earlier or at least request to work from home so I'm not here the day before I deliver! :-)

For some reason I'm not too concerned about going into labor at work. From what I hear the beginning of labor is not all that eventful so I figure if I'm at work when it starts, I'll pack up my stuff and go home or go to the hospital whichever my doctor recommends.

Flowr4246

Today is my last day of work!!!  WOOT!

Kylie1487

Hello! I am working until my due date which is March 14th. I work in the hospital I will be delivering at. Worst case scenario I'm heading upstairs to l and d during work! Lol. I'm a radiographer (xray tech) so I'm on my feet a lot at work. Fingers crossed my water doesn't break in the ED everyone would laugh and get me a wheelchair I'm sure. I'm thinking about putting my bag in my car so just in case I'm not home it's already in the car ready to go? Just throwing that idea out there maybe you could do the same. We got this ladies who are hanging in there for the long haul until labor! unfortunately for us in the US we get cruddy maternity leave. . I wish you all the best of luck! Soon well meet our little angels!

knottie93263eb66eeacb31

I'm working until I go into labor. I am not worried about going into labor at work because I work from home and so does my husband. Once contractions start i am going to keep working but not host any meetings until it's time to go to the hospital. I am extremely lucky in that I have a fairly flexible schedule so I am able to rest during the day and then just work a little on weekends to make up for nap time.

LBeez13

I am a high school counselor. I plan on working until I go into labor even if that means I am still working after my due date. With my first, he was a week and a half late and I continued working until 3 days before I gave birth. Those 3 days were miserable because I sat around at home just thinking about how uncomfortable I was and it made me more anxious. Being at work is a great distraction for me not to focus on the symptoms.

5feetshort

I am also a teacher and plan to work until the baby comes. I don't have many sick days and will end up having to take 6 or so weeks unpaid so I want to save what little sick time I have. I'm not so much worried about going into labor at work as I am about just not knowing when it will happen in general.

JCWhitey

I'm also on the "work until the baby comes" plan.  I went into PTL last week and am on modified bed rest so originally my boss suggested I just start maternity leave right away.  But I expressed me concerns about not being able to take enough time AFTER she's born and the financial strain going early would cause.  Well, turns out I work for an amazing and family-friendly company!  HR has worked out a great modified schedule for me so I can go until the birth (or whenever I want to stop).  I get to work mostly from home and the project they gave me is important so I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of their generosity.  

But if I had to do my regular job and regular schedule there is no way I could be going right much longer.  I would have taken mat leave in the next week or so just because of the physical requirements and me no longer being able to do them with the modified bed rest. 

Christina80xoxo

All of the comments from people outside the USA are making me super jealous ! Lucky ladies !