Working Moms - Will you work up until you're due?

boxerbabylove · December 2013

I met with my boss today and she asked for my projected time off for when I have the baby. I tell her I'm due April 14th so I'll just go with the 12 weeks I'm allotted from that date to be safe but I'll probably do 8-9 weeks if all is uncomplicated. She's the mother of adorable twin girls and she looked at me and said "you plan on working up until you give birth then? God, I never could have done it! I felt so horrible the last 2 weeks they sent me home." Then she followed up up by saying that working from home is most definitely an option if I decide I'm too uncomfortable to waddle in and we'll play it by ear.

Granted she was pregnant with twins and that could contribute to the general discomfort but I know plenty of women that were completely miserable in the weeks leading up to their due dates that weren't carrying twins.

Are you planning to work up until your due date or are you going to take off once you hit a certain week mark? If this is your second child (or more) what did you do with your previous pregnancies?

sloger · December 2013

I think it kind of depends on the job. I work in a call center for a bank so I sit at a desk all day talking to customers on the phone. I don't do heavy lifting and I don't walk around a whole lot so the plan is to work until my water breaks and then that's when my Maternity Leave with start.

BiggerinRealLife · December 2013

I'm taking three weeks off, but one of them is Spring break, so I'd have it off anyway. In California I think we're entitled to four weeks pre-baby and it doesn't count against our time after.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

I work part time, but yup.

boxerbabylove · December 2013

slogger This is what I was thinking too but she seemed so shocked that that was my plan that I started second guessing myself.

I'll be doing mostly desk work by then as I'm not climbing ladders and running wires in the ceiling panels now. The guys all do that for me now because they're worried I'll fall and I'm not traveling to sites now that I'm getting towards the 3rd trimester. I guess the biggest fear would be that my water would break in the server room...that would be bad as very few people have access and computers are not exactly friendly with fluids.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

Odds are low that your water will break before labor starts and even lower that it would be some huge rush of water that makes a giant puddle.

MaglioMomma · December 2013

My due date falls on a weekend, so my plan is work up until that Friday if all goes well! I'm a preschool teacher so I know I'll be pushing my luck with energy and feeling up for it

Teresa1896 · December 2013

I'll work up till baby comes. I'm saving my time to spend with him when he's here.

boxerbabylove · December 2013

Rrrrrachel very true. odds are really low, and it would be even lower for all those things to happen and for me to be in the locked down server room. its just the worst case at work scenario. I work In InfoSec, we're good at looking for the disaster

Teresa1896 · December 2013

Rrrrrachel said:
Odds are low that your water will break before labor starts and even lower that it would be some huge rush of water that makes a giant puddle.

My water breaking was the start of my labor. No other symptoms. I remember being so worried about the potential embarrassment, but it wasn't that dramatic.

sloger · December 2013

Teresa1896 said:

I'll work up till baby comes. I'm saving my time to spend with him when he's here.

This, exactly. I don't want to take off the week before or the week of my due date and then be like a week overdue or something. I want to have as much time as I possibly can with my LO

boxerbabylove · December 2013

Teresa1896 one of my best friends was out to dinner with 20 or so family members when her water broke in the middle of the restaurant while they were being seated at their table. She says it was the most embarrassing because the waiter looked so disgusted and she hasn't been able to bring herself to go back to the restaurant since (going on 5 years now)

boxerbabylove · December 2013

BiggerinRealLife said:

I'm taking three weeks off, but one of them is Spring break, so I'd have it off anyway. In California I think we're entitled to four weeks pre-baby and it doesn't count against our time after.

I'd never heard of this? so the 12 weeks isn't part of the FMLA job protection allotment? I wonder how that works.

avidkeo · December 2013

Im working till the 39th week - so will finish on the 4th April. Baby is due the 13th.

I am half sitting/half walking around job. I dont get too many patients in a day so am sitting at my desk when I am between patients. Its pretty normal here for most radiographers to work right up. If that falls through then I have plenty of annual leave I can use, and I know work wont be upset if I cut back to part time for a bit.

Basically part from finishing on the 4th, I'm just seeing how it goes.

PS If I did go into labor early, the maternity rooms are just down the corridor! so nice working in a hospital!

alysemci · December 2013

I intend on continuing to work full time until labor but then again, things never go as planned! If I can I will, if it is in my baby's best interest not to (I.e. Bed rest) I won't

porterlove525 · December 2013

I only get paid via my short term disability (60% of my pay) for 6-8 weeks pending how I deliver (vb or CS). I can take 16 weeks off, but still only get paid for 6-8 and that's after 7 days unpaid and short term doesn't kick in until the baby is physically here...so I'll be working until I'm due unless for medical reasons I cannot.

I have a desk job (graphic designer) and can work from home, which is the plan towards the end. I plan to take 12 weeks off and then ease myself back into work and the baby into daycare for 13-16 weeks (starting at 2-3 days a week and working up from there).

LittleLady77 · December 2013

In CA we get 4 weeks off before birth and it's a use it or lose it deal. Unfortunately they will induce me at 38 weeks so I automatically lose 2 of those weeks

( So 2 weeks I guess but I also get to work from home often and I will be playing it by ear.

MadBloom · December 2013

I'm a substitute teacher so my days vary as it is. My district is taking a week break for the last week of March so I think I'll work up until then. I'm due the 9th so that gives me a little more then 2 weeks off beforehand. I can also decide to work less during early march. Like 2-3 days a week or only half days or something.

scarles · December 2013

I am working up until the baby comes, but will likely start working from home two weeks or so before my due date. I want to leave all time off for when the baby comes.

boxerbabylove · December 2013

anyone else feel a bit overwhelmed by the uncertainly of the whole process?? I feel like I keep missing critical planning steps along the way.

boxerbabylove · December 2013

Seems I work in the wrong state! I don't know what I'd do with myself for 4 weeks prior to the birth though.

ModishMom · December 2013

Last time I left work in labor on a Tuesday (due Saturday but membranes stripped Monday). This time I (teacher) am done at spring break at the end of March. Due April 19th. Taking nine days unpaid and I am happy to do even if I go stir crazy at home. Hate the idea of water breaking in front of middle schoolers. Not worth it.

adored18 · December 2013

Unfortunately, yes. I was having consistent contractions the whole day before having DS and worked. I was all ready to go in the morning I had him as well but he had other plans. Honestly it's not that bad because it keeps your mind off of labor.. For a bit anyway. :P

Pandamom14 · December 2013

All this tells me is women in our country need to get together and fight for better healthier family leave options. It's really rediculous we put up with this bs. Times have to change. We shouldn't just be jealous of Cali moms - we should be fighting for state by state change better than that. Ok I'm getting of my political pedestal now

BiggerinRealLife · December 2013

playingonadream said:

BiggerinRealLife said:

I'm taking three weeks off, but one of them is Spring break, so I'd have it off anyway. In California I think we're entitled to four weeks pre-baby and it doesn't count against our time after.

I'd never heard of this? so the 12 weeks isn't part of the FMLA job protection allotment? I wonder how that works.

I don't remember if it's part of FMLa or short term disability. All my resources are at home and I was looking up both at the same time. But one of them allows you up to four weeks prior to your EDD. I think it's disability but if have to look. I know it doesn't count against the 16 weeks you're given for disability after. It's a take it or leave it thing, not something that can roll over. Again, that's just California though. I know we have some of the most lenient mat leave laws in the country.

LittleLady77 · December 2013

MrsStanton87 said:

playingonadream said:

BiggerinRealLife said:

I'm taking three weeks off, but one of them is Spring break, so I'd have it off anyway. In California I think we're entitled to four weeks pre-baby and it doesn't count against our time after.

I'd never heard of this? so the 12 weeks isn't part of the FMLA job protection allotment? I wonder how that works.

You get 4 weeks before your due date no matter what, and an additional 6 (or 8 weeks with CS) after baby is born. Then you are entitled to 12 weeks after that (unpaid) of FMLA.

Yep... all this.

hlm184 · December 2013

Tomorrow is my last day, but I'm also quitting, not just taking leave. Given that, I decided to quit now and give the new teacher time to get his footing before spring concert season rather than ditching my kiddos the week before their concerts.

fee1124 · December 2013

I just found out my boss is going on vacation when I'm 37 weeks...I'm a nurse practitioner and he's a Dr...I have to cover till he gets back...he IS a MD so I'm guessing he knows how these things work...I'm slightly terrified of being the sole provider and the possibilty of going into labor while at work...hopefully I won't be delivering on an exam table

Kriztyn · December 2013

I'm a teacher and FTM so not exactly sure what to expect. I was thinking of starting my leave the week before my due date (due April 15--- so maybe start leave the week of April 7th??)

Our school year ends May 30th for summer vacation so I could always come back that last week if I had too since if I want to get paid I need to use my sick days and I only have 30!

Mariposa1616 · December 2013

Sorry if I'm rubbing it in for some ladies,:-) but I'm actually quitting Dec.30, so I literally have 4 more working days of my schedule. I probably could work up until my due date April 3, however my transportation & commute can sometimes be unreliable. & I also I do security at a bank, so I don't feel that comfortable. My decision is really based on the fact that it is cheaper for me not to work, & I didn't plan on coming back after the baby was born anyway so y prolong the inevitable for a 12 week unpaid time off anyway.The great thing about security is if I did happen to change my mind later it's not hard to get rehired. I'd rather stay home with baby & finish up my last year in college, than pay for a baby sitter for 11 hours,while I work.

Morgan2992 · December 2013

I am

lcr23 · December 2013

I'm due on a Sunday so my plan, if all goes well, is to have the Friday before be my last day. I will probably work shorter days in the week or two leading up to my due date. We let a former employee do that when she was pregnant last year, so I hope that will apply to me too.

Erikahenderson1 · December 2013

The 4 weeks count as disability. And I will be taking them if I can make it that far. I work for a fast-pace-on-your-feet-all-day kind of job. I'm already in so much pain after an 8 hour shift. Plus it stresses me out (our store doesn't really have "it" together) and I can no longer do half the things my job requires of me.

it's rough already.

TinaM83 · December 2013

If I was carrying a singleton I would definitely try to work as close to my due date as possible. But with twins on the way I'm planning on taking 3-4 weeks off before. Even though I will get less time with the LOs postpartum I think I'd rather rest and try to keep em cookin as long as I can as there is a very real chance they will come earlier than my scheduled 37 weeks.

maelic · December 2013

I'm lucky, I am my own boss and work from home. I'll work as long as I can though I won't be able to travel past the middle of February. Skype is a good thing!

Marusika · December 2013

I quit 5 days ago because of my High Blood pressure. Now I can rest enough.

strawberrytree · December 2013

I was a teacher and was at work when I went into labour with DS. He was 2 weeks early and I had planned to finish the week out (I was due June 10, he was born May 30 and I had planned that June 1 would be my last day) but my water broke while at school. I felt totally fine right up until then, so you never know how you will feel. If you want to work up until your due date you could be totally fine, but in case you end up going early or feeling like crap it's nice you will have the option to be flexible.

I'm in Canada though, where we get a year of mat leave, so my situation was slightly different from most other posters in that I didn't have to worry about saving my time off for after baby was here.

Lindsay808 · December 2013

I'm a full time student and work part time. I hope to do both until my due date.

Not sure if it's the best idea but I'm gonna try.

Rachnan · December 2013

I have tentatively scheduled to leave 2 weeks early, but plan on staying longer if my body allows. I would much rather be busy working than be sitting at home waiting. I am also in California and the benefits are fantastic! Taking 16 weeks after baby is born (6 disability and 10 FMLA).

prettyinpink84 · December 2013

I am starting my leave three weeks before my due date. With DS, I worked up until I gave birth. But he was a month early and it was a total surprise. So I had no "time to myself" before he was born. This baby I am hoping for some "me" time before LO arrives. I work very long hrs and really could have used the time off before DS arrived, if you know what I mean. Just to put my feet up and relax. We all need that now and then. praying for at least a few days to just relax this time [-O<