Starting Leave before due date

margokendall

This is might be a question for STM. I am 33 weeks tomorrow. I am so uncomfortable and even though I have an office job it is getting hard for me to be there all day. I have been having horrible hip pain, headaches, and fatigue.  I live in WA so any time I take before baby is here does not effect my time off after she comes. I will need my dr to certify me as disabled so I can start my STD. Was anyone else taken out before their due date?

stella_blu

With my first, I stopped working at 37 weeks and she was't born until 41. This time around I work from home as a photographer and still have things to be done for clients. I did an event at 37 weeks and finished up edits etc well into 39. It can be done for sure but it's not so fun.

baeluevano

I started leave from my full time 8hr shift waitress/barista job at 33 weeks 4 days. However I am still working my part-time office manager job for my dad & I will up until I have the baby & as much as I can after. I work at my parent's house & my mom is usually there & will be more than willing to help with the baby.

srd3

I was put on a modified work activity from a shortening cervix.. so I had to enroll in a disability program to be able to have a sitting position..it only lasts 90 days so I will be going on leave Dec. 10th and EDD is Jan 6th. I was bummed at first but I think by then Ill be uncomfortable enough that I will want to be off!

hmontty

I work from home running a freelance publishing business -- long hours. With DD, I worked until maybe 4 days before my scheduled C-section. This time, since my section is scheduled for Dec. 28, I am going to stop working on Christmas Eve.

People were amazed I worked almost until delivery, but most people I know did so with no problems. Pregnancy is not comfortable, but it's certainly not "disabling," in my own experience.

MidwestSeashell

I run a massage therapy practice and started my leave at 38 weeks. It's a pretty physical job, especially since I specialize in Ashiatsu (standing up on the table, using my feet) so climbing up and down was getting tough. I got about 2 days into maternity leave and got bored so took another appointment. Once I did that one I realized that I really should be on leave. I did give a friend a treatment yesterday (38w6d) but I just don't have the energy to feel like I'm doing a good job. I think it's nice to take a bit of time (if you can) to rest up before kiddo comes...

moonrose2715

I went out at 36 weeks and my dr tried to put me out at 34 weeks (but I didn't want to lose the pay and worked it out where I was only in office a few hours a day- thank goodness for salaried exempt positions!)...

As long as you are good financially (CA has STD starting whenever your dr writes you out and it doesn't affect your post baby time either, as long as your job is okay since FMLA only covers 12 weeks).  I just know STD is about 60% of your regular pay so it can hurt a little still.

I was for sure glad to be out when I was and certainly could have gone out sooner.  This time I'm a SAHM and wishing there was such a thing as maternity leave for me now!  My two year old certainly does not unnderstand that mommy is wiped out!

ssmb_clarinet

moonrose2715:

I went out at 36 weeks and my dr tried to put me out at 34 weeks (but I didn't want to lose the pay and worked it out where I was only in office a few hours a day- thank goodness for salaried exempt positions!)...

As long as you are good financially (CA has STD starting whenever your dr writes you out and it doesn't affect your post baby time either, as long as your job is okay since FMLA only covers 12 weeks).  I just know STD is about 60% of your regular pay so it can hurt a little still.

I was for sure glad to be out when I was and certainly could have gone out sooner.  This time I'm a SAHM and wishing there was such a thing as maternity leave for me now!  My two year old certainly does not unnderstand that mommy is wiped out!

 CA STD only applies if you pay into it...I am a CA teacher and do not, therefore any time I take before the baby can affect the time after since I have to use sick days and only have a certain number of those available. Luckily I have a private disability plan that can help if I have to go out early, but really hope I can work up until I go into labor! 

emilynashea

I quit my job when I was 3132 weeks! It was really stressful and it was hard to make it through the day. It may sound lazy but it was just difficult. I decided that having myself stressed all the time wasn't good for me or the baby. It also gave me a chance to be home and get things ready, including myself.

Taylor11

I would hold off a week or so...  I was having horrid back pains and discomfort from 30-32 wks, and was utterly miserable.  It hurt to walk, and I have a full time sales job in and out of car, plus a 2.5 YO.  I have no idea if it's b/c baby can't move around as much, or has maybe shifted positions, but I feel so much better, and like a million bucks right now.  I think I've hit the high energy nesting phase.  2 wks ago, I would have told you differently.  I still have my moments of exhaustion, but overall, I can't see why I wouldn't work up until my due date, just as I did w/DD#1.  My boss pretty much made me work my last couple weeks from home, so I wouldn't be a liability driving around working and going into labor! 

Can you just take a week of sick leave and rest a bit?  Do you have a work from home option??  My advice, is to get to 35w, see how you do, and go from there.  I understand it doesn't affect your maternity leave, but like any job, you will be put further behind w/your workload when you return, and I am not sure if your company would secretly look down their nose at you for not sticking it out at least a few more wks.  If you are just totally done and miserable though, go ahead and take the time you need!  It is just a job after all, and at the end of the day, it's not worth your health.  GL!

HAFranklin

I was put on bedrest at 33 wks with my first. I was covered by STD until I delivered via c-section, then had 8 wks of paid maternity leave. Then, I cashed out my vacation and holiday days and never went back.(Was not the plan...just sort of worked out that way) I've been a SAHM ever since. 

danak4

hmontty:

People were amazed I worked almost until delivery, but most people I know did so with no problems. Pregnancy is not comfortable, but it's certainly not "disabling," in my own experience.

This makes me feel better! I plan to work up until Thanksgiving and my due date is the 25th. I've been feeling great so far and am hoping that continues. For me, any time off before means less time with LO after.

hansonam446

I'm quitting my job Dec 31st and I'm due Jan 9th. I was actually going to stop working before Christmas but since I'll be too big to travel I decided I may as well work and get some extra money!

jenmccon

I had to start my leave 2 weeks ago. I planned on working up until this past friday, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way. I would definitely talk to your OB about your issues and I'm sure he/she will pull you out of work.

mest1215

with my first, my dr took me out of work at 37weeks (my daughter wasnt born until 40wk4days). While i knew i needed to be out bc it was a medical issue, it was soooooooooooooooooooooo boring. i watched every olympic event on tv. so in some ways, it ended up being kinda a good thing bc this year when the olympics came on, i had an emotional connection to the last time i watched the olympics anxiously awaiting my baby girls arrival! 

itsmevkb

I'm not sure your doctor will certify that you are disabled (at least I know mine wouldn't if my issues were fatigue, headaches and hip pain as I've had those my entire pregnancy)  but I suppose you could ask. 

Aloe0l

I am starting my leave at 39 weeks. I will be starting a part time schedule next week (5hr days vs. 8). Last time, I started a part time schedule (6hr days) at 36 weeks, and worked until I went into labor at 39w3d. I did not use STD or anything else, I just used what current paid leave I had to cover the time I was out prior to giving birth. After my daughter was born, FMLA and whatever else kicked in. I did not have to do any sort of paperwork for the time I took off prior to delivery. It was just an agreement I made with my supervisor.

spud4life99

You should go see a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy.  I have been going to one through out my whole pregnancy and it makes a HUGE difference.  Especially with the low back and hip pain.  He also may be able to help out with the headaches.  I know when I go in for my regular adjustments I feel so good afterwards.  When I first started going it took a couple times for me to feel really good.  It's just something that takes a couple times to keep things aligned and in the right place. It may also make your delivery a little easier. 

minervacullen

Each pregnancy is different and each body handles it differently. If you feel like you need to take leave, then do it. Only you know how you truly feel. With DS I stopped around 35 or 36w. I was on my feet all day, I already had a note from OB that I had to sit to do my work due to LBP, but it wasn't possible, I also had extreme swelling and sciatic issues. I don't regret it at all. If I did have a job this time, I am certain I would have quit by now. This pregnancy has been horrible. Just because some women have no issues doesn't mean others don't.

robyn2201

I didn't go out as early as you are, but with DD, I went out 2 weeks before my due date. Like a PP mentioned CA state disability is great and for a "normal" pregnancy you get 4 weeks prior to your due date. My OB told me anytime after 36 weeks I can write you off. This time my tentative plan is to go out around is 37 weeks. I am transferring my care though and intend to ask my new OB if she will do the same thing. From other friend experiences this is pretty common for Dr's to do because of how the disability program is set up.

I say if it doesn't affect how much time you have off with the baby and you can afford it, talk to your dr! 

ambuhsmilesx32

I am a FTM, and a younger one. 21 years old. I work part-time at Mens Wearhouse. So i do get to sit down at times, but if we are busy i do have to run around like a crazy woman. I have been having some issues with being able to work and how uncomortable and crampy i get at times is unreal. For right now i have cut my hours down. I told them to schedule me anywhere from 15-20 rather than 25-32ish. Also to not have me closing, because that's when it seems to be the worst. I want to try to work as long as possible, but If it gets any worse after 35weeks i will be starting my leave. Which i do NOT get paid for or anything. But my health and the babies health comes first. 

Randa&Jerm

With DD1 I worked up until the week of my due date, but went over due by 11 days. I also live in WA so it didn't affect my leave after baby and I didn't need any notes from my dr other than the normal STD forms. With DD2 I was Due Dec 28th so I stopped working the week of Christmas and had her on the 27th so I pretty much worked up until delivery, so I only had a few days off before she came along. This time I am due on Thanksgiving Day and have already told my boss that I will likely be done the week prior to Thanksgiving. But this time I am not returning to work so my leave isn't really affected as much, but my health insurance is and DH has some things that he needs to get taken care of before I actually terminate my employement, so the longer I am on the books, the better. Sorry, that was probably more info than you needed! lol

abbiejo98

I am 34 weeks and am so uncomfortable at work. I am up and down from a desk a lot and that makes me crampy and have BH. I am also so out of breathe that I am getting light headed and seeing floaty spots. I asked my OB to write me out for at least reduced hours so I can use the STD that I have been paying into, and while he told me to "take it easy" at work, he said that he couldnt medically write me out because these are expected side effects of pregnancy 

BabyMakes 3

STD you can go off at 36 weeks. My Dr was just going to put me on leave at that time. I'm 33 weeks now. I went off work at 31 weeks for sciatic pain. She had me take two weeks and doing physical therapy. Now she is going to keep me off work but for high blood pressure and with bed rest. I know it's uncomfortable. I was happy being off for sciatica. But the blood pressure isn't fun and bed rest isn't easy. =(