STMs or even FTMs... when did you or will you stop working?

hrhone328 · March 2013

Just curious as to what others are doing/have done. I'm 37 weeks and freaking miserable! Side note: I could just be having a really bad day... I'd like to ask if I can begin working from home the week that I'm due. I seriously dread going into labor at work. The only issue is the week I'm due is month end (I'm in accounting) and I'm concerned they may have an issue with it... though, realistically, they may not. Guess I really won't know until I ask. Should I be asking now? I guess it is only like 2 weeks away...

MrsWindyCity · March 2013

I'll be working up until I go into labor, which is what I also did the first time around. I just don't want to waste my PTO now instead of spending it with the baby. My first pregnancy was really easy and this one is a bit tougher, especially now, but my job is pretty low-stress and not all that difficult (public trans commuting is probably the "worst" part), so it's fine. The first time I did WAH the last 2 days (basically, as soon as I went over my due date) but I don't have that opportunity this time around. If you think your company is willing to let you WAH, then there's no harm in asking and I'd say the sooner the better so they can plan.

Mrs Babs · March 2013

This time around I am having a planned c/s scheduled for Monday 3/25. I plan on working up until Friday 3/22. I would rather be miserable at work and save my PTO for after he's born then be bored at home without that extra time with him later.

Last time, I was due on a Tuesday and I worked up until the Friday before. I planned on going in until I went into labor but I had a lot of contractions that Monday so I called in sick and I went into labor very early Tuesday AM.

I would try to give your employer a head's up if you do want to work from home. They may say no but I am sure they would appreciate as much notice as you can give.

kimberlyk921 · March 2013

With my first pregnancy I worked up until D-day. I was working full time in a salon so I was on my feet allllll day. It was definitely hard. The week before my water broke I ended up cutting my four 8 hour shifts in half so I was only working 4 hours at a time. I didn't want to stop working earlier because I wanted the most time with my baby at home and didn't want to cut into my maternity leave. This time around I'm lucky enough that I'm a SAHM and just taking a few clients here and there in my home, so yeah I'll be "working" up until D-day I guess.

My advice is if it's possible to WAH, then definitely jump at the chance. If being at home is going to cut into your maternity leave, than I would just barrel through it. It's not easy working and being pregnant but it's possible. Just take frequent breaks and don't stand or sit for too long. Keep an eye on your feet too. I remember going to hide in our break room to prop my feet up in between clients because they were getting so swollen!

homebird · March 2013

STM here. I'll be working up until I go into labor. That's what I did last time. I have a desk job, but if I had a job where I was walking around a lot or on my feet all day I might feel differently.

UberBiz · March 2013

I have an RCS scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, so I'm thinking that Friday before, 4/12 will be my last day of work.

synchrosally · March 2013

Last time I worked until the day before my due date. I was not allowed to work past that time. I was completely miserable with high BP, severe swelling and severe back pain. I've decided not to do that to myself this time, so I am only working until Easter. I will be missing a total of 6 working days before my due date and will be taking sick leave for those 6 days.

candreco · March 2013

I worked until DD was born, which was conveniently on her due date and a Sunday.

Planning the same this time, especially since DH and I work in the same place and the logistics of getting to the hospital are much less complicated if I'm at work vs. home.

Like pp's have said though, I have a desk job where I can sit on my butt all day, at home I'd be twitchy and wouldn't rest anyway. I might feel differently if my job were more physical.

stilts1 · March 2013

I'm wokring until I have this baby....or my induction date (his due date) next week. It sucks, but looking forward to being home this spring with the newness!

BelhurstBride · March 2013

I worked until I went into labor. In fact, I tried going in to work the morning I was in labor. It was only a half day for students and I thought I was going to make it through the morning. (Thought better of it and didn't.)

mben1119 · March 2013

I worked until I delivered, 5 days after my due date. I worked a full 40 hour week, then went into labor Friday night.

magdalina.h · March 2013

I worked on Friday and had my rcs on Monday.

DesignsOnYou · March 2013

I haven't worked outside the home since my first but I stopped work on Friday at 39 weeks thinking I would get everything done the next week (finish shopping, cleaning, washing clothes) but I went into labor Sunday and by Monday morning she was here! It kind of worked out perfectly.

The problem is if you go overdue or leave too early it's going to take a lot of your time-off. If that's not an issue, then go for it.

I remember crying not wanting to go to work the last few weeks but I tried to make something fun for myself that day. Like, "I'm going to go to work today and treat myself to a frappucino....or a cupcake...or something." I needed something to look forward to and make it bearable ;-)

babyalex124 · March 2013

First time around I took off one week before my due date but went into labor at 39 weeks so I pretty much worked up until I went into labor.

This time, I am working up until my due date, which I kind of regret because I'm so tired already. But I'm in education so I won't go back until the first week of school regardless of when I stop working.

If your time is set at a certain amount of weeks, I would try to work as long as possible because trust me, you won't want to lose that time with your baby! It's such an amazing and precious time.

hrhone328 · March 2013

DesignsOnYou:
I haven't worked outside the home since my first but I stopped work on Friday at 39 weeks thinking I would get everything done the next week (finish shopping, cleaning, washing clothes) but I went into labor Sunday and by Monday morning she was here! It kind of worked out perfectly.
The problem is if you go overdue or leave too early it's going to take a lot of your time-off. If that's not an issue, then go for it.
I remember crying not wanting to go to work the last few weeks but I tried to make something fun for myself that day. Like, "I'm going to go to work today and treat myself to a frappucino....or a cupcake...or something." I needed something to look forward to and make it bearable ;-)

This is kind of the point I'm reaching. I guess we'll play it by ear. I know working from home is an option. I'd still have to discuss it with them, but they are letting me work from home part time after my leave. My maternity leave is actually through my disability and that won't even start until the day I deliver. So any time not working in the office or from home before then, would either be PTO or leave without pay. I don't really want to do either of those, either.

I will have to do my best to hang in there as close as I can to baby time!

mhickey426 · March 2013

Tomorrow is my last day and I am due on Mon. I was thinking about coming in a couple of days next week but decided against it. This last week has been really hard. I actually cried getting ready yesterday morning.

I worked so long so I will have all of the time I can with her after she is born. The latest my Dr is going to let me go is 1 week past my due date. I have enough sick days for the next 2 weeks to bring me to Easter Break which is 2 weeks and then I get my 6 or 8 weeks maternity leave. If she doesn't come next week I will have a week to relax before she is born and then 9 -11 weeks with her before I have to return to work. If I didn't work this long I would have had less time with her so even though it has been hard it is definitely worth it.

acesup · March 2013

with my first i worked until 38 weeks and had a scheduled c-section for 38w 3d. this time i am high(er) risk and have severe SPD and some complications i did not have last time, so i was put out of work at 32 weeks.

mslynn2012 · March 2013

2 weeks prior to due date. Then using the 6 week maternity leave I get (assuming no C-section), and the rest is FMLA. Luckily I am a teacher, so the FMLA runs out on the last day of school, and then I'm off for the summer!!!

jlpev · March 2013

I worked up until my son was born. I worked a Friday, Monday off for my Dr appt and got induced that evening. I was 39 weeks and a day. My boss saw it coming and I was a pharmacy tech. I was on my feet 8 hrs a day sometimes more.
I would push through it if they weren't ok with you working at home. But you should definitely discuss it with them soon.

MT-Head · March 2013

With my first, I worked up until my EDD, but my husband didn't want me commuting into the city (about an hour on public transportation each way) after that, so I stayed home a did nothing for a week until I was induced.

I am planning to go as long as I can with this one, so I can stay home longer after he is born.

Snapdragon750 · March 2013

I was a preschool teacher and wasn't due until a week or two after the year was over, so I just stuck it out. I was, though, working an extra "extended day" program that I quit maybe a couple of months (if that) before the year ended because I just needed the rest and it was worth the slight pay cut to be off my feet 2 1/2 hours earlier every day.

hrhone328 · March 2013

Thanks, all! I may chat with them soon about working from home when my due date is near. Either way, it won't impact my maternity leave... that'll be 8 weeks, no more or less, plus 4 more weeks of part time in the office, part time at home. So I'm definitely not worried about losing any of that time with my little one!

evelyntaylor · March 2013

Last time I took time off the week before my leave and ended up waiting an entire week after for baby to come. I was 41 weeks and essentially wasted two weeks of my FMLA leave. This time, I am going to work until I go into labor, if I can. There was no good reason to take the week off before other than to rest, but I'd rather be working as long as possible.

kaf7 · March 2013

I stopped at 37 weeks because it was a convenient break point for my business. Now that I am past 40 weeks I wish I had worked a little longer, but it didn't make sense to for work.

haleysmama10 · March 2013

MY plan with my first pregnancy and second was to work until 10 days before my due date. BUT I was forced at 35 weeks (my dr told me yesterday I have to stop working) with both pregnancies to stop work due to high blood pressure. I'm so bummed that I have a whole freaking month to go and don't have much going on....it's going to be boring and depressing although my 2 year old will keep me busy I'm sure.

laurakaz13 · March 2013

I went into labor at work, drove my hour commute home, hung out all day in labor and then finally went to the hospital with DH. I was 40 weeks.

Unless you have legitimate medical problems, I think it's unreasonable to stop working prior to having the baby.

woohoo02 · March 2013

My last day of work will be 3/29 -- and I'm due 4/20. I work at a small daycare, and my boss knew from the moment I told her I was pregnant that I'd be quitting once this baby came. I was a SAHM with my first one until he was older, and I will be staying at home with this LO.

I don't think it's unreasonable to take off a couple weeks before your due date if you can. I'm doing it to make sure everything is ready (the room, meals, etc.) and to just relax and take it easy before she's born.

blondbomber23 · March 2013

I'm a STM and mostly a SAHM at this point (resigned after my DD was born). I do work usually 1-2 shifts per week though (12 hours in a busy ER). With my first one I worked up until the day my water broke. I planned to work up until I went into labor with this one but my last scheduled shift is 1 week before my due date. Aside from the swelling and shortness of breath that I get from working, I actually feel pretty good. I don't want to just sit around and wait for the baby to come. (I'm 38 weeks exactly)

nyki06 · March 2013

Last time around I stopped working at 37 weeks and delivered at 42 weeks. I enjoyed the time off but if I would have had time restraints (I quit my job) I would have been stressed out about having so much before the baby was even here. This time around I own my own photography business so I'm booking up until 2 weeks before my due date and I'm booking again 2 weeks after my due date. If I need to reschedule it's not a huge deal since they are all portraits and not weddings.

MrsJ723 · March 2013

With DS I was due in July so I was able to work through the end of the school year. I'm a repeat c/s, so I plan to make the Friday before my last day.

jennyshawn0808 · March 2013

I worked until Tuesday & had DS on Thursday. I'm planning on working until I go into labor this time too. Good luck!

rm2013 · March 2013

I planned to work until I went into labor. I have a desk job and was working from home 3-4 days per week. However, my job is pretty stressful and I just got so tired that yesterday was my last day at 39w 2 days. I just couldn't take it anymore, and I feel like I really need to relax and rest so that LO will decide to make a move. Right now she is not engaged, and i am not dilated or effaced at all. I think that working so much and trying to finish baby preparations at night after work just have me so tense that she is not trying to come out.

Anyway, really it's up to you... I would give it a try as long as you can but just listen to your body.

notquiteblushing · March 2013

laurakaz13:

Unless you have legitimate medical problems, I think it's unreasonable to stop working prior to having the baby.

Unreasonable? What if I just don't feel like it? What's it to you?

I have 371 sick hours to use so I'm thinking I will start working 3-4 days a week around my 37th week.

brenanigans · March 2013

notquiteblushing:
laurakaz13:

Unless you have legitimate medical problems, I think it's unreasonable to stop working prior to having the baby.

Unreasonable? What if I just don't feel like it? What's it to you?

I have 371 sick hours to use so I'm thinking I will start working 3-4 days a week around my 37th week.

I have to agree with you notquite. I work 50 hrs a week at night doing a very physical job. With the weird hours and the NO SITTING, it's pretty rough. I planned on leaving two weeks early using vacation time to get the house cleaned and just relax a bit. I fail to see how that's "unreasonable". Guess we aren't all as awesome and hardcore as some people.

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