Maternity leave

Wishing35

I'm 29 weeks and feeling exhausted every day now. Besides the lack of sleep , stomach tightness, killer heartburn and puffiness I just don't want to be at work anymore. Everyday I drag myself there and it feels like torture! I do qualify for FMLA and I was planning originally to work up until August , my EDD is Sept 1st but my OB will induce if I don't go into labor by 37 weeks which would be August 11th. How long did everyone work for? I feel like a big baby for wanting to stop early but I'm so tired I can't imagine making it until August. My doctor has never mentioned stopping work early and I feel weird even asking.
In

LISAF1197

I stopped at 34.5 weeks...I had my doctor write me out.  I mainly stopped working b/c I commute an hour each way and didn't want to be so far from home.  I ended up delivering at 37.6 weeks.  The end if definitely hard, but if I had worked closer to home, I think I would have tried to stick it out a bit longer.  The last couple of weeks at home waiting for them to come was driving me crazy.

ashleighlt

I worked as a nurse on my feet for 12 hrs 3 days a week until 32 wks. At that point we had PTL scare and they suggested that I go on maternity leave. I was glad because my sleeping was/is horrible I only sleep for about 3 hrs max in a row and that does not happen until 430am.
I'm sry your so uncomfortable, I completely understand. I would suggest swimming if you are able to. It really relieves the pressure off your back and it makes you feel as if you can breath again.

Two*True

I stopped at 36w and am now 37w.  I just needed to stop for several reasons.  1) I'm a supervisor and my staff and coworkers needed to start just taking things over and realizing they can do it.  2) I was so physically tired by that point that by the time I picked up DD from daycare in the afternoons I didn't have much patience for her.  It just wasn't fair to her that our evening time together was spent with me in a cranky mood. 

 Part of me feels like I'm wasting some of my leave time but in reality this is the best for me and my twins.

ktjruss03

I am a nurse in a busy pediatric office and I went on desk duty at 22 weeks, bedrest 2326 weeks and then to part time. I currently work 2.5 days a week ans the full days are hard sitting at a desk all day. But I can't be on my feet for 8 hours either so its a happy medium. I am hoping to work until 3435 weeks if all goes well but I think I will stop then. My exhaustion has returned and sleeping is impossible. However the days I'm home I have my 3 year old and he is a handful! We have A lot more movie time than I would prefer. But it won't last forever: good luck to you!

starrkitten89

My hours were limited to 4-6 per day at 24 weeks due to really severe rib pain (I was standing all day and rarely even got more than a bathroom break). I was taken out completely at 28 weeks because I was starting to have high BP and swelling and they were worried about it developing into pre-e. Had that not happened I was planning on working until 34 weeks.

Brummy14

Our maternity leave policy has all multiple pregnancies go out on disability at 34 weeks (versus 38 for a singleton). Which, would have been great -- had I gotten that far.

Wishing35

Your all such hard workers! I'm on light duty so I have it alot easier than all you guys who are on your feet all day. I'm gonna try to hang in there and stick it out as long as possible, one day at a time.

shaunah816

I worked at a mostly desk job until 37 weeks. That last month, especially the last two weeks, was really hard. I delivered at 38 and 4. 

JenniferF11

I feel for you! I'm 35 weeks and I am still working - although I work from home, so it makes it much easier (to a certain extent). No standing all day or commute. I'm going to try and make it to 37 weeks which is when I'll be induced. More than anything, the trouble is trying to be on conference calls while I'm getting contractions haha. Plus, my bump is so big that basically any position I sit in is uncomfortable, especially with a laptop. Now that summer is here, the swelling also makes every position rather impossible.

My advice would be to work until you feel you can be there comfortably and don't feel bad asking your doctor about possibly stopping work early.

carrotcake06

I'm just about 33w and was dx w mild pree after a fun filled hospital stay this weekend. Pree isn't a bed rest thing, but I still am going to start working from home 2x a week.

As a pp mentioned, I'm just beat by the end of the day and would like to have a little more to give to my 3yo. My commute is 45 min ea way through a jam packed rush hour and while I could do it, I'm tired. And trying to take it easy a bit and keep these babies cooking until 37w.

I'm trying my hardest to not use any official leave before they're born. I want that time afterwards, but it's hard and I work at a desk all day.

Reilly626

Went out at 30 weeks, should have listened to doctor and left 27.

agooseman

I delivered at 38 weeks exactly, which fell on a Friday. I worked fulltime up until the Monday before, so beyond 37 weeks. I definitely hit a wall around 30 weeks or so, but then seemed to get more energy those last few weeks.

NewX2

I work on my feet and was put on rest at 26 but then allowed back around 29 on light duty. Now I am 36 being induced next week at 37 and trying to work up until the day before because I had to use almost 5 weeks of FMLA already and want to be home as long as possible with my boys. But listen to your body I have had few days that I had to go home early because I just had a bad day and couldn't handle it at the time. 

kellibelle0417

I'm also hitting that wall at 31 weeks... I drive an hour in traffic both ways to work. I'm miserable at work ( mostly a desk job).  My feet are swelling pretty good and I feel so uncomfortable walking. I'm talking to my OB tomorrow. I don't know how everyone does it and works so long! I feel like I'm ready to stop working as well. 

eandk18

I'm glad you asked this!  I'm hitting a wall at 30 weeks, I can't sleep very well either!  Not because I'm uncomfortable but because I have to get up to pee 3 x a night, ugh!  I work a desk job so I'm going to try and work as long as possible.... I may ask to work reduced hours once I hit 34-35 weeks if I'm feeling very exhausted.  We'll see!  I want to use all my time after the babies are born too.....