Working mommas - as we approach our due dates

kp90

I am due May 15th and I have been saying that I plan to work up until my due date or until I deliver.. as of recently I am starting to change my mind as my body gets slower, my pains get worse and my swelling worsens as well. Right now I am thinking maybe by the 1st of May I will be ready to throw in the towel and start my 12 weeks leave. I hate thinking that I'm giving up two extra weeks that could be potentially spent with LO, I guess it all depends the closer to my date and seeing how I feel. I also don't want to sit home and do nothing for two weeks so I'm hoping maybe that time could still be spent being productive at home. I also think I would rather be at home in case my water breaks or I start going into labor. I know all these things vary and can change day by day. Just anxious to see where I am 5 weeks from now. Have any of you other working mommas now or in the past changed your mind about how far you worked? Did you feel your time with LO was still long enough? and what did you do if you stayed home a week or so before LO arrived?

PYLWhammy

I'm not sure what you do (I apologize if you've said it before and I've forgotten), but would working from home during those last couple weeks be a possibility? Or just cutting down your hours? I completely understand what you're saying, you want to maximize your time with LO, but at the same time, you are miserable those last few weeks! 

kp90

It's ok and I am a nurse at an outpatient TBI clinic. I don't have the option to work from home I suppose I could maybe see about cutting back my hours but I highly doubt it because I'm a government employee so my boss isn't able to just give me a verbal ok to change my schedule. Plus I'd still have to start eating up some leave. @pylwhammy

PYLWhammy

Well, I'd just play it by ear for now...as you get closer I'm sure your body will tell you when it's time to stop working! Hopefully your boss is at least understanding if you need to change your leave date.

laurenmdrn16

I have been slowing down a bit, but am still planning on staying until April 15th (RCS date is April 20th). I don't run back and forth between buildings as much and am much better at delegating than I was before. If it is possible to cut back some hours, that is definitely an option, but I understand that you don't want to sacrifice leave to do so. You can always get a note from your OB saying that you need certain accommodations such as time off your feet or no heavy lifting etc. I have actually written temporary 504 plans for pregnant staff/teachers so it is not so weird to have moderate adjustments to your workload or type of work as you get farther into your pregnancy.

Kind of random and off-topic, but I just had one of my regulars in my office who takes her inhaler before gym class/recess everyday. She offered to write a How-To manual to give to the substitute nurse when I am on leave so explain how kids should take their inhalers. I thought it was the sweetest thing and it really got me thinking that I can use my students to help do some of the prep for the sub and my maternity leave. Child labor at its finest! I mean, educational opportunities for all!

LadySamLady

I'm lucky that I have the option to work from home at the end of my pregnancy and plan to do that starting at 38 weeks in an attempt to avoid my water breaking on the subway or at the office. I don't want to start my leave early because I want to maximize the time with my LO but also because I'm the type of person who would end up obsessively monitoring myself for signs of labor and so work will be a welcome distraction. If I couldn't work from home I think I'd probably start my leave at 39 weeks just because I'm really scared of my water breaking in public.

BabyL52716

Nurse working 13 hr shifts. I have gotten to the point where I find myself sitting down while I wait for my patients to take their pills uuhg...But I keep telling myself its better to keep moving than to be sitting around. 

yogahh

I plan on going to the end as I don't want to waste any time that I could have with Harper just sitting at home waiting to go into labor instead. Everyone is different though, and if you feel like you cannot work any more due to long hours, commute, etc, then you need to base your decision on how you feel. I don't have the option to work from home, but I am lucky in that my job is a desk job so once I am here I can "relax". My commute is a bitch though and will be the deciding factor on if I decide to take leave a few days early or not. 

dsmith211

I've said I'll be working up to my due date, but I'm playing it by ear. Thankfully I do have working from home as an option bc I'm a programmer, which if I can I may start at 38-39 weeks. I hadn't really planned on that at all, but I completely underestimated the discomfort level at this point... and I'm still 2 months away. Personally I would rather not go into labor while at work, but I also want to maximize time with my LO.

kbrands7

I'm hoping to start my leave at 39 weeks like last time, but I'm in the midst of fighting to be able to do that. I only had one work day off before going into labor with my son-- I spent it in an OB appointment, cleaning, and going out for dinner with DH. Had I not gone into labor do soon, I was going to make more freezer meals and relax.

This time I'm just hoping to spend a little time with my son before I have to be away from him in the hospital for a few days-- and hoping to avoid going into labor at work/being on my feet most of the day with students/having the 45+min drive to and from work. I'd also like to not leave the house in disaster area mode...but honestly, with a two year old it's in constant flux anyway, so there are no guarantees of cleanliness before labor begins. 

slfezz

I'm planning on trying to start my leave at 38 weeks. I'm lucky in the fact I can do this without impacting how much time I get off after
LO arrives since I can expand my leave past the 12 week FMLA to 6 months with manager permission (which I already have). It's also pretty easy to start STD at my company if you are within 2 weeks of your due date with just a simple doctors note and they are not to picky about what is written on it. 

Once I got to 37 weeks with my previous 2 pregnancy, just getting through the day with my desk job was extremely rough just from the increasing lack of sleep without being able to take naps and the pain from the walking I had to do and sitting in a desk chair all day. I enjoyed having that time off before hand to rest up and take care of small things around the house. 

cortney626

I will be working up until my c section date. I have a desk job and I work 5 mins from home so I can cut out early if need be. I will be stopping by periodically while on leave too. With DD#1, I went out 2.5 weeks before my due date because I had such horrible pain in my back and ribs but it didn't count towards the time off after the baby. STD was 4 weeks prior and 6 or 8 weeks after. I don't remember what I did at home. This time around I still have to take my daughter to school, etc so I might as well come into work and do what I can. 

kp90

@slfezz @cortney626 what does STD stand for? I've seen it many times when discussing work and leave. I have 12 weeks FLMA approved but not understanding when you say you can still take off time prior and it won't count against that?

slfezz

kp90 said:

@slfezz @cortney626 what does STD stand for? I've seen it many times when discussing work and leave. I have 12 weeks FLMA approved but not understanding when you say you can still take off time prior and it won't count against that?

Short Term Disability. Once I start my leave before my baby comes, my FMLA starts as well but my company makes it easy to extend beyond that and still keep my position which sadly isn't the case with most companies

missnc77

I plan on working right up to my due date, but I work remotely anyway. I'm hoping the guy I'm training to cover me while I'm out will nail the financial cycle coming up in a couple of weeks, then by the time we're doing the April cycle, he'll have the training wheels off. Then I'll just be coasting to delivery. I thought about taking off at 39 weeks, but then I just pictured taking that time off, not going into labor by my due date, and then what? Use more vacation? Go back to work?

jenl1681

I plan on working as long as I can. I do have about 3 weeks vacation/personal time as of now so I can take a half day here and there. Once April hits I will be having weekly Dr. appointments so that is also an afternoon off each week and that's nice. I went overdue with both DS and DD and it made it so hard at the end with all of the NST and U/S for those extra 2 weeks, that I did stop working. 

VS2016

I'm nervous because I'm a teacher and when I was pregnant with my first I was due in July so I had over a month off before my daughter was born because we were already on summer break.  With this one I am going to work all the way to my due date if possible but interested to see how it will go. 

NinnyJean

I said at first that I would work right up until but am now thinking of stopping at 39 weeks. My office is an hour from the hospital I'm delivering at and I can get cases anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours away from my office and I'm terrified of going into labor hours away from my hospital in a clients home. Thankfully my work gives you as much time as you want, up to a year unpaid, so I'll stop at 39 but then will take twelve weeks once Pollie is born so I can get as much time as possible. It'll mean three weeks unpaid instead of two but it'll be worth it

Merciel

I'm still planning to work up to my due date. I've got three Third Circuit cases that I would really really like to not have to dump on colleagues when I go out, and briefing all three of those is going to take me all the time I've got left (even then it'll be super tight to get everything done, I'm afraid, since I also have to turn around revisions on my nerdbook within the next six weeks).

Pretty much every day I tell this kid that he better not come early, because I do NOT have time to go into labor right now.

proudparent2b

I would love to take off early- can't believe how much I'm being affected already by lack of sleep, general discomfort from lots of movement from LO, etc. at only 32 weeks.

My boss had planned to hire a contractor to train to cover for me starting two weeks ago, but so far, no luck. We're pretty short staffed, so I'm starting to give up on getting any relief from my work prior to going on leave.

I'm hesitant to take leave before LO arrives because I know a number of people who went that route and ended up delivering 2 weeks late. As a result, they used up nearly half of their leave before LO even arrived.

To be honest, I have no idea what I'd do if I started FMLA early.

lalala2004

I'm going to start maternity leave a week before I'm due. However, I'm a teacher, and that is 5 weeks before the school year ends. If I were allowed to take it two weeks before, I would, but that's against policy. Whatever I don't use, I lose, so it makes sense to do it!

I'm very glad to be able to do this, though. The idea of going into labor at work is pretty stressful to me....

Knottie64278661

I'm just going to throw this out there. I have heard from countless resources including my midwife that most first time mothers deliver 10 past their due date. I'm not recommending you strain yourself at work but do consider that you may go into labor days past your due date. Due dates are just medical guesses. My due date is either May 12 or May 19 depending on the average days of your cycle. Good luck and hang in there!

saladflambe

I work from home, so I'm working until I go into labor (unless I find that I'm truly becoming unable to focus/do things - I'd rather not waste anyone's time/money). If I was not working from home, I would likely stop working 1 week before my due date at least...and that's at a desk job. If I had a more active job, it would likely be sooner than that.

yogahh

Knottie64278661 said:

I'm just going to throw this out there. I have heard from countless resources including my midwife that most first time mothers deliver 10 past their due date. I'm not recommending you strain yourself at work but do consider that you may go into labor days past your due date. Due dates are just medical guesses. My due date is either May 12 or May 19 depending on the average days of your cycle. Good luck and hang in there!

I am hoping I go past my due date....I cant extend my ML past 12 weeks, and with daycare, the later I can start her the better. Every day I say a little prayer that she stays in as long as possible!

KidShrink

I'm a self-employed child psychologist (in Canada, where people will typically take a full year off). I'm 33 weeks now and leaving my office at the end of the month, and borrowing a colleagues to finish up some assessment feedbacks. I'm taking a few weeks (full 3 weeks) before baby comes (because a child coming to therapy doesn't need the added trauma of me going into labor). I hate that parents are guilt tripping me on taking a full 6 months off, and to limit what I'll be doing for about 10-12 months. Especially when one of these parents is notorious for cancelling appointments at the last minute (despite me charging her in full every time)- I told you MONTHS ago I'm expecting and will be working til end of March, get your shit together if you want to help your kid!

I'm planning on sorting out a bunch of things I won't have time to take care of til then (taxes, plan for my new office, etc) and making some freezer meals. And sleeping/relaxing, going for nice (short) walks with my dog. CAN'T WAIT!  

JoMunson

I felt really guilty (you know that classic working woman guilt) about taking time off before my baby came and now I'm so thankful. I can't walk two steps without lightning crotch setting in, my hips are spreading, and I'm sleeping in maybe 2 hour shifts. I'm glad I'm giving myself the time to relax and get my body ready for labor!

folamij

I would love to leave work at the beginning of May. However, I started this position when I was 22 weeks and am fortunate my employer is willing to allow me to have 8 weeks off since technically any leave of absence isn't normally approved within this short period of time. With that said, that's the main reason why I'll be working until I have the baby. I just can't stomach the thought of having less time with her.

gampster

I had to stop working as a snorkel guide in December. (Grew too big for my wetsuit) I just got a new gig working from home and the end of this week marks the end of my training period. I want to work as much as possible before I go into labor since I am paid hourly. Now I am just trying to figure out when I should tell them I'm pregnant. I would really like to keep this job after the baby comes so trying to find the best approach. Any suggestions? Also, anyone go back to work really soon after their LO was born? I'd like to be realistic about giving them a timeframe for when I could return. Also I work in the evenings so DH will be around to help with the baby while I am on the computer. 

Nicbert1214

I was planning on working up to my due date as well, May 1, so I would have worked until the Friday preceding. I work for the city so I only get 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA and then I plan to take 12 additional weeks of leave. I too did not want to waste any time leading up to my due date. But honestly, I have to listen to my body. My commute is 45-60 minutes each way on the subway. There are a zillion steps and people are just plain rude. As another mom to be was saying, I too am scared of my water breaking in public- especially on the subway. I am also scared of people bumping into me and knocking me down. I've decided to work up to 38 weeks and have my doctor write me out putting me on "bed rest". That way I can utilize my sick leave while out on FMLA. I just feel like we have to be smart about certain things at this point and we shouldn't put ourselves in risky situations if we don't have too. It sucks that I could potentially be "wasting" those 2 weeks- but I feel as though it's the right decision for myself and my little guy. 

mmemartinez

kp90 said:

It's ok and I am a nurse at an outpatient TBI clinic. I don't have the option to work from home I suppose I could maybe see about cutting back my hours but I highly doubt it because I'm a government employee so my boss isn't able to just give me a verbal ok to change my schedule. Plus I'd still have to start eating up some leave. @pylwhammy

If you are on your feet most of the day it may not be a terrible idea to start your leave early. Of course there are no guarantees but I'm a teacher, on my feet a good amount and moving around a lot at work. With DS1 I was about three weeks out from my due date and I just started feeling miserable all the time. I started my leave maybe 1.5 weeks early. I was totally worried about being late and having wasted my time. I had ONE full day at home and the next morning my water broke. So, I think sometimes your body knows what it can and can't do. Maybe prep your boss or ask about this possibility and then just when you feel like you can't keep doing it, stop. Honestly I had planned on prepping a bunch of meals and sewing some burp cloths and diapers and those things are still in a box in my basement, pinned and waiting

nerdymama15

Right now I am planning on working until go time.  Of course it totally depends on how I feel then, but I doubt I'd be doing anything much different than normal.  I work from home full time doing data entry so even if I wasn't working I'd still probably be sitting in front of the computer.  So not too much of a difference there.  Although to be honest I could totally use a weeks vacation right now to get some stuff done that i'm too tired to do after work.

doozer1345

I couldn't comment when I was pg with DD1 bc I was on BR at 6 mos but this time around I've had more anxiety when it comes to having enough time off beforehand to prepare vs time with DD2. My due date is tentatively May 10th (although I think it's the 6th). So, I've decided to start my ML on April 29th. That gives me enough time to spend with DD1 and mentally prepare for DD2 (in theory lol). I won't be going back to work until August 22nd. I'm actually ready right now dang it. 

finnybooboo

Can I stop working now? I'm so fed up with my job and coworkers that I just want to be done. Of course I want baby to stay in as long as possible but seriously, can I just not do the work thing?! 

For real, I'll probably work up to my csec date that I should find out Friday. 

Astraphobic

I'm an occupational therapist at a rehab hospital and(still) plan on working up to my due date or after.  @kp90 we are both due on the 15! I know what you mean by slowing down though! If I have to shower someone my day is over energy wise. We just had a nurse go to two days before she gave birth but the last week she did not look happy. Maybe they could have you do unit secretary work? 

ayeshaohara

I'm due May 5th and leaving work April 15th. I too have the lovely Canadian bonus of getting 12 months leave but will only be taking 9 months. I'm so ready to leave work already, and if we could afford it, I would, except that the leave payments are so bad it's not worth it right now. I'm a pharmacist within doctors clinics so I do spend a lot of time sitting when I'm seeing patients etc but it's the stairs that kill me. I go up and down a lot in a day. I'm hoping baby comes early to be honest. Sometime in the first week of my leave would be ideal (37.5 weeks by then) because I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore!! 

newlvgirl

I am also a teacher and have had three babies. For my first I worked Thursday, went into labor early the next day on Friday. For my second I worked Friday and went into labor 2 days later on Sunday. For the third, I was at work when my water broke. I just made adjustments for how I felt - sitting or standing - whatever kept me comfortable!

JoMunson

newlvgirl said:

I am also a teacher and have had three babies. For my first I worked Thursday, went into labor early the next day on Friday. For my second I worked Friday and went into labor 2 days later on Sunday. For the third, I was at work when my water broke. I just made adjustments for how I felt - sitting or standing - whatever kept me comfortable!

I'm a teacher too and that was my main reason for taking time before the baby- I didn't want my water to break in front of the kids!

Par13

With DS, I worked until my induction date (which was 1 week after I was due) and I was so glad that I didn't go out early since DS was late. I had 13 weeks of leave with DS and the time flew by. I did have a desk job though, so not nearly as strenuous as a job where you're on your feet 8-12 hours a day.

This time I'm planning on working until delivery again. My new job does have flexibility to work from home, but I'm going to try and be in the office as long as possible to train and transition by workload to others on the team. I am hoping that I don't go early at all (and honestly I'm really hoping that I'm a week late again so I can get more wrapped up at work!). I only get 12 weeks this time for leave and I want to spend all of that time with LO (also the more time I get to be home with LO, the less time that I have to pump at work).

saraleigh2

It's going to be a tough balance. But I as others have said listen to your body! Labor and delivery is hard work (weather its unmediated, done w/ meds or a c-section) it is hard on your body and and you will need your strength! Try to be in as good a state as possible going in. If that means you stop work early so you can be strong and well rested for LOs delivery then so be it! 

loveymay

Lurker here from April 16. I wanted to start my leave a week or 2 early as well
 But my work requires a drs note, and my drs office won't write one. I work 45 min from home and work nightshift 5 days a week.  2 and a half weeks away from my due date and having excruciating back pain and now BH contractions. I'm on my feet a lot and my legs and ankles swell up pretty bad......but my sucky drs office doesn't care. So I'm starting my leave on my due date. I don't understand how you all are able to start leave early? If I ever decide to have another child, I wont be using this same dr thats for sure!

buffythevampireslayer

I plan on working until the baby comes to maximize time at home with her. I am due May 16th and while my discomfort has definitely increased, I am still in fairly good shape. I walk to work each day (about 20 mins each way), and if that gets to be too much I may take the occasional uber which would probably be like $7. If my comfort levels change dramatically then I may begin working from home more often. Right now my plan is to keep going at full steam until April 18th, which is when I'll be at 36 weeks. I'll be transitioning the projects I lead at that point so my workload should shift into the "catch and assist others" mode anyway.