XP: Up to what point will you work?

Melicakes

Posted this on my BMB but of course I'd also love input from my rockin PAIF ladies  

 

I am very fortunate ( all things considering how crappy maternity leave in the US in general is) that my leave policy will pay me my full salary for 6 or 8 weeks after birth (depending on which method baby is born vaginal or c-section). Then I can take advantage of FMLA for an additional 6 weeks (unpaid) totally 12 weeks to stay home with my baby

 

Because of this though I really would like to try to work up until my due date.

Which because that's the day after Thanksgiving means I'd hope to work up until November 23rd...

For you ladies that are a little further ahead than me, does this seem reasonable? Am I asking for trouble trying to lug my behind in to work every day up until that point?

If Dr says I'm out then I'm out no questions asked, but that will start my leave right then and there whether baby is here or not and then I'd have to come back sooner...

What do you think?

OrangeSmoke

A lot of women work up until they deliver - it's fairly common in my industry.  What is your job like?  Is it physically demanding?

 

Sunshine05

Assuming we keep getting good news, my plan is to work up until I go into labor.  If I have a scheduled c/s due to her staying breech then maybe I would take a day or two off in advance just to tie up loose ends. 

I have saved up my sick and vacation days so I can take off 12 weeks maternity leave (we get zero paid time off here, just the unpaid FMLA option) so I want to spend as much of that with her as possible!  If there's no reason for me to be on bedrest, I'd much rather be working and saving that time off to spend with her. 

Melicakes

OrangeSmoke:

A lot of women work up until they deliver - it's fairly common in my industry.  What is your job like?  Is it physically demanding?

 

This is what I figured for my industry too, I just wanted to get a feel for what others might do.

I work in the corporate office of a major retailer in the Product Integrity department, a total desk job. There are some long hours sometimes and my commute is about 90 minutes each way, but I don't think that alone would/should hurt my chances of making it up to the last day possible closest to my due date.

Melicakes

Sunshine05:

Assuming we keep getting good news, my plan is to work up until I go into labor.  If I have a scheduled c/s due to her staying breech then maybe I would take a day or two off in advance just to tie up loose ends. 

I have saved up my sick and vacation days so I can take off 12 weeks maternity leave (we get zero paid time off here, just the unpaid FMLA option) so I want to spend as much of that with her as possible!  If there's no reason for me to be on bedrest, I'd much rather be working and saving that time off to spend with her. 

I'm sorry you don't get paid leave but good for you saving up all that sick time !

It really is a shame what a sham maternity leave is in the United States....

FabulousMrs.P

I am working up until I deliver. I only get 8 weeks off from work (unpaid). I would rather spend the time with the baby then waiting around for the baby to come.

Jessiree

My plan is to work up until I deliver, or until the doctor tells me to stop. Most women I know have done this and it has seemed to work out.

amers83010

Not unreasonable at all! I plan to work up until I go into labor or until a scheduled c-sect/induction. I'm like you and get 12 weeks and want to save all of my time for when they're here.

As far as pushing yourself. I think you'll know what you can/cannot handle. If you get really uncomfortable, maybe you can work from home some days or in the afternoons? I've been trying to work from home an afternoon a week, just to give my feet time to unswell...

NicoleeBonsai

i work a desk job, and have a pretty generous employer.

they have allowed me to WFH FT since august (my commute can take up to 2 hours each way on a bad day). they also will pay for 4 weeks of STD prior to my due date that won't cut in to my post-delivery time off allowance. so i will be asking my dr to write me out 4 weeks prior to my due date, plus 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type.

from there, i have 3 weeks vacation saved that i will use, and will also use some unpaid FMLA time (i am allowed 12 weeks unpaid FMLA that can be used any time in babies' first year).

i won't be returning to work until they are 3 months old, or jan 2 (since i dont know for sure when i will deliver, i have to play my return date by ear).

Echloe

My current plan is to work through 38 weeks.  We shall see if I get there.  

nycbride0707

I say work for as long as you can-hopefully knowing that every day you schlep yourself into the before gives you an extra day with her after

it'sbabytime

I'd like to work until I deliver. I'm hoping I can do this to maximize the time off I get with our LO after he arrives.  I can take a total of 18-20 weeks off (12-14 weeks of that will be paid depending on if I go natural or C) and I plan on taking the max 4 1/2 -5 months off.

I dont think its unrealistic but of course its all how you feel toward the end.  I THINK I can do it.

kelfeen

I worked up to and including the day I went into labor with DD to maximize my time. This time around I M different because I have twins. I am already reduced to 30 hours and only 3 days in the office. I dont know if I will keep working or not. I dont want to! But I want the pay.. and I know they will let me come back whenever I want to, even past 12 weeks... I just wont be paid... so I have to see if that is feasible.

Yellow_Daisy

My plan was to work until 38 weeks, but I just couldn't do it.  I was in a lot of pain physically at the end of my pregnancy and my doc said he write me out anytime after 36 weeks, but it was my call if I could deal with the pain.  I worked to 37 weeks and couldn't take it anymore.  I was on short term disability until I delivered, then I got 8 weeks of disability pay for my c/s. 

Play it by ear and just do what you can do.  I think every person is different so while one person can work up until their due date other people just can't.  

MrsRich0226

I plan to work right up to my due date if I'm able to.  My boss is really flexible so if I need to do some work from home, he'll be cool with that.  I get the same time off as you - 6 to 8 weeks off paid and another 4 to 6 unpaid but I have a bunch of vacation saved up so I'll only be unpaid for about 2 weeks.

OCW2010

My plan is to work until I go into labor or the dr says so.  Depending on how things are going, I may also cut my days/hours.  Thank goodness I have an understanding boss who knows we can't always control these things.