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Moms of Multiples: Help w/ Maternity Leave

bmf8140bmf8140 member
in Success after IF

Sorry, this is long!!

I am a teacher. I teach high school, so I probably have more down time than an elementary teacher (kids are much more self sufficient so I'm able to sit quite a bit, and they can come to me for help). I'm allowed 60 days off, but only 20 of those will be paid because that's how many sick days I have saved up.

My OB has said they won't let me go past 38 weeks, which is April 15. I was planning on sticking around until April 1st. Is that crazy or doable? How did you feel at 35/36 weeks?

My other option is to call it quits after spring break, which starts my maternity leave on March 21. The issue here is that my long term sub isn't available until April 11. I planned on just having someone else do it for a week if I start April 1 and then he'd take the rest of the time. I'm not sure I want to switch subs on my students a bunch.

If I wait and start in April, I could take August off as well, and come back to school after Labor Day, but I'm not sure I'd do that. My sick days would also recharge at that point and I would have 12 days of that paid-but then no sick days for the rest of the school year.

I know everyone is different, but I'd love to hear your opinions/experiences.

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Re: Moms of Multiples: Help w/ Maternity Leave

  • kimarino13kimarino13 member
    I felt like shiiiiit at 35/36 weeks.  Honestly, had I not been taken out at 20 weeks due to a kidney issue, I would have been taken out by 28 weeks because I couldn't sit up comfortably.  There's no way I could have been working (my calm office desk job) much past 28 or maaaaybe even 30 weeks.

    After 2 rounds of IVF & 2 rounds of FET, we were blessed with identical twin girls!
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  • browneyedgrl4282browneyedgrl4282 member
    I would stop after spring break! Just give yourself some time to relax. Plus if you start having labor after 35 weeks they won't stop it! I had my twins at 36 weeks 4 days and I would hate for your water to break while teaching about of high school kids! Since they are high schoolers i wouldn't worry about the long term sub, worry about yourself!
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  • chickaboo1974chickaboo1974 member
    I felt fine and was quite active until I had to go on bedrest at 31 weeks for my high BP.  I wasn't working, but I cleaned my house, walked my dogs, went and did the grocery shopping- normal daily activites.  But my OB said that if I had a job he would have taken me out of work at 28 weeks.
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  • dtwmcodtwmco

    I'd plan on stopping earlier than you think you may need to...

    While I didn't feel "great" past 20 weeks, I wanted to go until my OB said I had to stop.  At my 25 week appointment, he said that he could write me a note if I wanted to, but I wanted to keep working. (and not have to use more than my sick bank) 

    At my 27 week appointment, I was in PTL with very little cervical length and already dilating.  I didn't even know it.  I was out of breath (and had been for several weeks) and thought I was just having BH contractions, but it was obviously more than that!

    Don't know how much of a difference it would've made, but I should've taken my OB up on the offer to get out of work at 25 weeks...

    (FWIW, I made it to 35w2d, but I was on hospital BR the entire rest of the time.)

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  • JillRock96JillRock96 member

    Obviously every pregnancy is different, but here's my story.  I worked full time (mostly high school, but also two days a week in elem schools) until 35 weeks.  At that point, I probably *could* have continued, but it was spring break (ours is at the end of April), and it had been my goal all along.  I was miserable, for sure, but it was honestly even harder being at home with Ava.  At that point, she could not go up and down the stairs by herself, needed to be lifted into her crib and high chair, etc. (I know Bennett is older than Ava was, so this might be a lot easier).  My doctor was surprised that I worked that long, but he had not put any restrictions on me other than to limit standing/walking as much as I could and let him know when *I* felt I couldn't work any longer.

    Regarding going back, the babies were born on May 8th, and I went back part time (private practice) at 10 weeks (just two days a week).  I went back full-time at the end of August (when our school year started), so they were 3 1/2 months old.  Not that I *wanted* to go back then, but I was ready and it was manageable (in terms of sleep schedule, feeding schedule, etc.).  

    Hope that helps!

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  • LVBlvdLVBlvd
    I wasn't working during my twin pregnancy, but was a full time SAHM to a toddler. I lifted her in/out of the car, crib, high chair, took her to gymboree, lunch, the park, pool...I was busy! I was miserable and exhausted and in pain ALL the time, but it is doable. If you aren't on bedrest, I bet you can make it. It won't be pretty, though : )
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  • piccolina09piccolina09 member

    I worked 1/2 days for weeks 32 and 33. Left on week 34, had the babies on week 36 and 5 days.

     Maybe there is an option for you to work 1/2 days? My OB easily wrote the note when I asked her if it was ok. 

    ETA: I am an elementary teacher, still on leave...

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  • smeyersmeyer member

    I didn't even make it to 35w.

    My OB wrote me out of work at 29w.  I was still feeling really good but she strongly suggested I stop (she said most of her expectant MoMs stop working 26-28w).  I was home but not on strict bed rest.  Around 30w my BP started to spike and I was put on bed rest at home.  By 33w I had full blown pre-e and my babies were born via emergency c/s at 33w1d.  All that said...  Is it possible to work until 35w?  Sure!  Lots of MoMs do it.  Will you feel good?  Probably not but that doesn't mean that it isn't doable.  I'd just make sure that you have everything in order in case you have to leave work on short notice. 


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  • Temp159135562506975Temp159135562506975 member

    i would stop as early as you can. My OB (and Dr, Luke) was big on taking it really easy to reduce risk of PTL.   You'll never regret taking more time off if your babies make it to full term... but if you work as long as you are trying to and end up with preemies - you will always wonder if you did too much.

    i left work at 27w - for no real reason other than not wanting to risk PTL. My OB was happy to write me out- i was on STD... and made it to 38w1d with no problems- i was very happy i left early and really took it easy.

    I know as a teacher you feel like your class can't make it without you- it's hard to make plans for subs, etc --- but you need to let it go and know that the health of your babies are the most important thing-  your class will do fine and manage. (i used to teach- i know the feeling).

     

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  • dtwmcodtwmco
    imageGoldie_Locks_5:

    I know as a teacher you feel like your class can't make it without you- it's hard to make plans for subs, etc --- but you need to let it go and know that the health of your babies are the most important thing-  your class will do fine and manage. (i used to teach- i know the feeling).

     

    Reading through the replies...

    THIS - All the way!

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