Please Give Your Opinion

P&D1223 · March 2009

Okay, I am due on April 9th, but my baby is measuring very big... 5 pounds at 31 weeks. I go for another ultrasound on Tuesday when I will be 37 weeks. They will make a determination from there as to what will be done, but chances are, if he is still big, that I will be induced or have a c section the week before (week of March 30th).

I went to the doctor today for a regular checkup and mentioned to her that I would like to stop working Friday, March 27th. I am a high school teacher, as well as the yearbook advisor and senior class advisor. I am always on my feet and always in demand. I'm getting tired and feel having a few days off before the birth will help me mentally.

My doctor said technically there is no medical reason, she cannot write a note requesting that I leave before I give birth. I thought people going out a few days before the birth is something common. Does every single person work up until her due date??

I want to call the other doctor in my group tomorrow and ask her opinion (I like her better) but what do you think? Do you think I am being unreasonable by wanting a few days off before? How have your doctors handled this?

Thanks and sorry for the rambling!

thenewmrsrussell · March 2009

I would probably want to take at least 1 day off. Maybe 2...

Do you NEED a drs note? You cant just request a couple days off?

hisbabybear · March 2009

you have to have a doctors note to start your leave early?

I can start mine whenever i wish so i dont know how to handle this. sounds lame to me.

Scout1218 · March 2009

I plan to work up until my due date, but in my office, that is NOT the norm. Some of the women I work with have taken as much as 2 weeks off before their due dates...Do you have to have a note to take time off? That may be a stupid question, I don't know. My employer keeps asking me when I plan to start my maternity leave, but they aren't requiring a doctor's permission slip or anything.

Good luck to you - I don't think stopping work on March 27th would be bad.

hollyjohn · March 2009

Why do you need a note from the Drs to leave work?? Can't you make other arrangements?? And no not everybody works until their due date. Last time I quit work about a month before I was due. I would take the time off. Give yourself some rest now before the baby comes. Afterwards, you might regret not takin time off. Plus the more you are on your feet, the more swollen you get and its just not pleasant. You have worked hard and deserve a break.

melbilly62599 · March 2009

I'm also a high school teacher and in the exact same situation as you. Initially I was planning on working right up until I went into labor, but this past week has been really hard being on my feet all day, so I decided to make next Tues my last day (I will be 39 weeks)

I had my 38 week check-up today and asked my doctor to write me a note and she didn't even hesitate. She did tell me that there was always the chance of going late and she didn't want me to regret "wasting" up to 2 weeks of maternity leave without the baby.

Luckily I'm not planning on going back until Sept no matter what, so that isn't much of an issue for me.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I would definitely talk to your doctor in the morning. Good Luck!

Jason'swife · March 2009

Holy moly! 5 lbs at 31 weeks! That IS big. I'd want to leave work early too. I'd definitely give the other doc a call. You deserve a couple days off before baby.

angeltex · March 2009

My doctor has to write my start date and my stop date on my LOA paperwork. I have already requested that I start my leave 2 days before my c/s since my job is very stressful right now.

Poplin2007 · March 2009

I'm a teacher and my doc said I should stop working at 38 weeks, and that's what he's putting on my paperwork. However, I'll have to cover the time before my birth with my own sick days, because I can't get it covered by our sick bank (which is where maternity leave comes from) without a medical reason or until the baby is born. Check with HR.

MTB05 · March 2009

My doctor told me to let him know when I was done working. He would write me whatever I needed to get me out of work. He said you know when you're body is done, and that it was up to me. Friday will be my last day. Next week will be Spring Break for us, and then the Monday we are set to go back will be day 1 of my ML. 1 week before my due date.

TennisWife815 · March 2009

My doctor has to write my start and stop date out on my short term disability paperwork. But, I can take up to 6 months. I'm going to take a few days before my EDD as vacation.?

Poplin2007 · March 2009

Let me add that stopping at 38 weeks isn't necessary or mandatory or anything. I asked him when he suggested I stop, he asked me what I do and how long of a commute I have (~40 minutes) and it was more like, "eh, 38 weeks is probably good." I may work a little longer depending on what the leave situation is looking like. I'll work a little longer if it's necessary to avoid unpaid leave, but I'd like to stop as early as I can.

evenstar622 · March 2009

That's CRAZY!!!!! My doctor told me if everything goes well, he would take me off work a month before I was due.

Circumstances changed, and I've been on bedrest for the last two months. But seriously.....your doctor sounds mean! Even if everything goes well, you are EXHAUSTED all the time. Have some mercy on us poor pregnant women!!!!!!!

Want a personalized experience?

Please Give Your Opinion

Re: Please Give Your Opinion

Choose Another Board

Search Boards