When to go on Maternity Leave?

OnBabymaking226 · July 2013

Hoping I can get some advice from working STM (or those that were working before baby) on when to go on maternity leave. I can be covered to go as early as 36 weeks, but I would like to work until at least 38 weeks. Because of how my due date falls, I'm currently thinking December 20. I would be 38w1d on my last day, and will be off 13 weeks from then. This is flexibile, and obviously if any medical reasons come up for me to be off work sooner, that will change things.

Do you think this is good? I am considering going a week farther, but seems silly since it will be the week of Xmas.

laurasue0513 · July 2013

I intend on my last day being Dec. 20 as well. I will be 37 weeks. Thats the *plan* It could definitely change based on so many factors. But, if I coudl go longer I would- but its the holidays and its so slow that there is no need for me to kill myself to get in the office. Maybe I will try to work out a work from hom thing during those weeks....Also, I have a 2 hour commute into NYC and I really dont want to trek into the city in bad weather...I'll do it as long as I can but the date may ven go earlier based on the way I am feeling, weather, etc.

insertclevername · July 2013

I plan on working up until my due date or maybe even past it. I want as much time home with my LO as possible. But I have a desk job so I know I can work up until I am ready to pop barring any complications.

moosebaby2011 · July 2013

If you can take time off before the birth and not have it count towards your maternity leave, then go for it. A lot of places it doesn't matter if the time is taken before or after the birth. 8 weeks = 8 weeks. If not, I'd work right up until you go into labor and take as much time as you can after the baby is born. Some people will tell you it's good to rest before baby's arrival, but for others it is better to stay busy.

RingOfFire11 · July 2013

NY Mama said:

I plan on working up until my due date or maybe even past it. I want as much time home with my LO as possible. But I have a desk job so I know I can work up until I am ready to pop barring any complications.

This is me too. I worked up to the day before I gave birth to DD (40w,2d) and I hope to again.

irwinkle · July 2013

I worked up until my due date with DD. I could have worked until the day of but my boss told me to take off. It really depends on how comfortable you are, swelling, etc.

Carmlvsjose · July 2013

I teach so my last day will be the last day before winter break. I am allowed up to 4 weeks before my due date plus 6-8 after.

OnBabymaking226 · July 2013

In California, you may begin your leave @ 36 weeks, and from the date of delivery, you have 6 weeks or 8 weeks (vaginal vs C section) birth, so it is not all that beneficial to wait until due date. If it were any other time of year, I would probably work until the week of my due date, but being that it will be slow and seems silly be working partial weeks at that point, I'm thinking this might work best.

I also work as a nurse, in a position where there must be someone to cover me, it is easier from a coverage stand point to choose a date and be off from then than to be calling my boss the day I go into labor telling her I won't be in.

Thank you for your thoughts, all!

Danyell4613 · July 2013

Both my boys were early. My last pregnancy I was not due until April 30 but because of spring break I was done April 5. I had my son before spring break was even over so I am glad I didn't think about going back. This time winter break starts December 20 and everyone is going back January 6. I'll be 38 weeks and I didn't make it to 38 weeks last time... So, January 6 is technically the beginning of my leave.

Unknown · July 2013

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jaclynwas17 · July 2013

I'm due Jan 26 and starting leave the 27th. I'm a teacher and I only get my vacation and personal days paid. Everything else is unpaid and I'm not going back until after spring break. I'll end up with 8 weeks off, but I have to be docked 13 days pay to do that, so I'm working as long as possible.

July1215 · July 2013

I was scheduled to be induced with DD, so I took the day before off and spoiled myself a little bit ( pedicure, lunch, walked the mall). I didn't want to take time off without my daughter being born. I needed as much time home with her as possible. With this baby, I will work up unto Christmas break ( I think I will be almost 38 weeks) and then be off for the holidays. I am teacher so I will deliver the week after Christmas and take the rest of the school year off to be home with my little ones.

sugarland726 · July 2013

Barring any medical reason, like pre-e, bed rest, etc, I don't personally see a point to go out before you actually deliver, in a normal pregnancy. I know there are lots that do, and that's fine for them, but I wouldn't want to be sitting at home, waiting for the baby to come. You can go up to two weeks late. If you go out at 36 weeks you could be at home for 6 weeks before baby comes. I wouldn't want to be wasting any maternity leave time before LO arrived.

mrsjenni · July 2013

I've worked until delivery for all of my babies.

vstevens · July 2013

Last time I worked until 38 weeks - I planned to take a couple of weeks in advance of giving birth because we moved at 35 weeks but neither of us could take any time off - we were still living in total chaos, and I wanted to get things settled before the baby arrived. I gave birth at 38w3d...ah, the best laid plans.

This time, since I don't have a specific project I need to work on, I will work until my due date.

MindyBadger1 · July 2013

I'm another vote for work until you pop.

I'd work Christmas week--- it will be a short and easy week and it won't count against your weeks off.

FSUNole31 · July 2013

Like others have already said I will also be working until I deliver. Last time my water broke early Friday morning and I was arranging a sub (I teach) from the hospital. I want as much time with the baby that I can have.

bregrobb · July 2013

Last time I went until about 2 weeks until my due date. I had planned to go right up till a week before but I was far too uncomfortable. As it ended up, my DS didn't make his appearance until 10 days after my due date, so I was off work for almost a month before I had him.

This time, I am going to plan on leaving 2 weeks before so I don't feel bad "leaving early" like I did last time.

1017Shannon · July 2013

NY Mama said:
I plan on working up until my due date or maybe even past it. I want as much time home with my LO as possible. But I have a desk job so I know I can work up until I am ready to pop barring any complications.

this. I worked as long as possible...and I'm glad I did I had an awful recovery and needed every second after baby was born!

Sarahanna · July 2013

I worked until 40+ weeks with my first. In my state we only get 12 weeks of FMLA & it starts when you go out so I'd rather have all the time after baby. For #2 I have to work extra to qualify for 12 weeks off.

You definitely need a lot if time after baby!

halfthetree · July 2013

Oh I would work until I go into labour, I want every single day I have of maternity leave to be with my baby.
That said, I live in Canada so I will be going on a paid disability leave starting at 39 weeks, and my maternity leave will kick in the day I give birth.

KimberlyTX · July 2013

OnBabymaking226 said:

In California, you may begin your leave @ 36 weeks, and from the date of delivery, you have 6 weeks or 8 weeks (vaginal vs C section) birth, so it is not all that beneficial to wait until due date. If it were any other time of year, I would probably work until the week of my due date, but being that it will be slow and seems silly be working partial weeks at that point, I'm thinking this might work best.

I also work as a nurse, in a position where there must be someone to cover me, it is easier from a coverage stand point to choose a date and be off from then than to be calling my boss the day I go into labor telling her I won't be in.

Thank you for your thoughts, all!

If it doesn't impact how long you get after baby is born, I'd take the time off if I could swing it financially (do you get paid?). My work gives me 12 weeks paid, and I can take another up to 12 weeks unpaid if I want. With DD, I had a c-section scheduled for 2/21 (a Tuesday), so 2/17 (a Friday) was going to be my last day. Instead, my water broke while I was at work on 2/14, so I ended up working right up until she was born. I liked that all my maternity leave was spent with her, so I'm planning on working right up until it's time this time, too.

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