when to start maternity leave?

RavenandJosh · September 2013

So with my DS I was told to stop working 2 months from my due date because I was swelling up like a blowfish after every work day. Now that I look back on my first pregnancy, I feel like that was so early to stop working, but since it was doctors orders I had no choice. This time around, so far everything is going great so I don't foresee him pulling me from work anytime soon. The problem is that I have a very physical job that requires long work days on my feet with no sit down time and constant lifting (which I have been forced to cut down the weight that I am allowed to lift to 25lbs due to doctors orders) so I'm not sure when the best time to go out on on maternity leave this time around would be. I had my DS at 37 weeks so I really dont want to be at work the day my water breaks and I go into labor...awkward

I am curious on how long yall plan on working till. Thoughts?

cagoldi · September 2013

The plan is to work until I go into labor, unless circumstances change and my doctor sees a reason to put me back on bed rest. I work at home though, so that is definitely a big help.

With a physical job, I have to admit I would probably consider starting my leave at 36 weeks.

jegoehle · September 2013

I will probably stop around 38 weeks. Would like to work up as close to my due date as possible, but also knowing that my OB is considering inducing me at 39 due to GDM.

artistlife · September 2013

I am going to TRY to make it to the 1st of November, which will be 38 weeks. I have a very active job as well. My doc is having issues with my weight gain. The fact that I lost 5 lbs since I started 3rd tri has him worried. We are supposed to gain a pound a week. I just burn way more calories than I can take in. I had been maintaining all summer and had a 15lbs overall gain. Now that I lost weight, he said he will take me out of work if I can't start gaining. So, I will be ok if I can make it through September.

barista411 · September 2013

I worked full time when i was pregnant with DD and I planned to work up until the day I went into labor but I started to swell so at 36 weeks my MW put me on work restriction so I only worked 4 hours a day. I absolutely loved it. I didn't have to use up my maternity leave and I stayed busy. I would recommend something like that.

Ashleyfurillo · September 2013

I'm gonna either work until I go into labor or may stop working a week before by due date ... I'm gonna wait and see what my doctor says when it gets closer to my due date

whatididntkno · September 2013

I'm planning to work at my part time (15 hrs/week) job until 37.5 weeks. I will continue dog walking/pet sitting (about 40 hrs/week) until I go in to labor. At least that's the plan barring any complications.

Rcs16 · September 2013

I also plan on going as long as possible! I work long hours so if needed I will cut back but plan on going all the way!!!!!

McJen715 · September 2013

I work a desk job so I'll work until I'm due I think. As of now I've scheduled myself through Friday November 15th (due Monday the 18th).

It's also tricky because for me to get my full 6 weeks short term disability pay I have a 2 week waiting period where I have to use my PTO first. With DD1 I only was out 3 days before I had her so I didn't get 'all' my leave (I'd scheduled 2 weeks out and she came early). However I get 12 weeks FMLA on top of the 4-6 STD so I'll take whatever I get.

SharonB222 · September 2013

I was just reading this section in my pg book about how a job like yours demands an early leave. It also said that for a desk job like mine, a mom could work right up to delivery. I inadvertently worked up to delivery with DD (I planned 1 week off before EDD, she came 2 weeks early). Definitely get your dr's recommendations given your physically demanding job. Don't be a "hero" for work, be an advocate for your babe.

okashimochi · September 2013

My plan is to work until the baby arrives. I've been entertaining the idea of leaving earlier but I want to get as many days at home with LO as I can.

jacqgomar · September 2013

I'm stopping 4 weeks before my EDD. Like your job I'm on my feet all day long and have to lift about 25lbs as well. I would like to stop now but I don't think my MW would sgin off on that. I am going to mention at my next appoint that after a long day at work like today I crpam a lot, maybe that will let me out alittle earlier than the 4 weeks.

MrsTucker2011 · September 2013

I have 2 jobs. One in hospitality, the other in retail. Because I'm on my feet all the time, my dr says that they put girls like me on leave at 36 weeks. I'm definitely looking forward to being away from double shifts!

Chargersgrl33 · September 2013

I plan on working up until the day before my c-section. My c-section date will be at 38 weeks, 7 Nov, so if all goes as planned I will work up until 6 Nov.

Last time I ended up on bedrest at 30 weeks due to pre-e and delivered at 35 weeks. I hated bedrest because I didn't feel bad and wasn't uncomfortable.

lafsalot · September 2013

I am working up until I am induced. Or baby comes whichever comes first. I have the option of working from home so I will likely work the morning I am induced and then start my leave that afternoon. I will be working from home for 6 weeks after the first of the year so I have additional time with LO.

Babymmeyer · September 2013

I'm due November 7th and I work at a gas station always on my feet, stress from customers, lifting heavy things up to 30 lbs and it has taking a toll on me now being 30 weeks. I'm thinking about leaving at 37 weeks unless I have to sooner.

katmac17 · September 2013

I will work until I go into labor so that I can save all of my leave for post-delivery. I am a hospital-based pediatrician, and with my son I was assigned to the mother-baby floor at the hospital where I delivered for several days leading up to my due date. Each day I told the moms I would be back the next unless I joined them!

babymama619 · September 2013

My goal is 39w4d, the Friday before my due date. Unless doctor says no or LO comes early, that's the plan. If I could afford it though I might take off around 38 weeks.

bmqcmg · September 2013

With DD my plan was to work until I went into labor and that changed when my doctor put me on bedrest around 39 weeks due to very high blood pressure. I stayed on bed rest until I was induced at 41 1/2 weeks.

I have the same plan this time around which is to work until I go into labor.

mobilejen · September 2013

I'm a nurse on a floor where the majority of our patients are total care & we have very little lifting help. I plan on going out at 36 weeks. I live in CA where you get 4 weeks of state disability which you lose , if you don't use it before your due date. If I didn't have that I would probably work up to as close to my due date as physically possible.

lilybeth12 · September 2013

my job isnt too physical, so i'm planning on working up until the end. I'd like to save my leave for after the baby is here if all looks good. I cant work from home b/c most of my work involves protected servers and lab work, so hopefully the weather here in Boston doesnt suck too much. I work at the hospital i'm delivering at, so it's not like I have an issue if i go into labor at my desk.

gdom872 · September 2013

I plan on working until i go into labor. Also have a physical job like yours and am on my feet a lot. I also work in the hospital I will be delivering so im kind of hoping it starts at work so I can just walk down to L&D. Lol

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