STM: What can you do in your final month? Help.

JKGordon · January 2014

Hi, ladies. I've been invited to participate in a conference/summer institute that is very competitive and an honor to be invited to. It also pays well and looks really good on a resume.

My only question is: is this possible to do in my last month of pregnancy? It ends about 4 days before my due date, but of course they'd understand if I went into labor early. I'd be spending equal amounts of time sitting and moving around/talking. I wouldn't be far from my hospital (maybe 20-25 minutes), and there's someone nearby to drive me if needed.

What was your experience in the last month? Thanks!

eta: typo

abbs815 · January 2014

Every person handles the end of pregnancy differently, but I'm a teacher and worked right up until I went into labor. So, if you considered it to be work like I would say it's fine. I did go 8 days early so there is always that chance, but you said they would understand if you went into labor early.

SaranJonathan · January 2014

I worked until I went on bed rest at 39 weeks d/t PIH. I felt ok except for the headaches associated. I plan to work until the end again as long as I am medically able. Just remember you will be on weekly visits at that point. I should mention my work is a good 45 minutes from my delivery hospital but never thought of it as a problem. You will likely get regular contractions well before you will need to drive in so your SO can always get you.

allardr · January 2014

I'd do it since you have it all covered if you were to go into labor. It'd just be like working up until labor which many do to save maternity leave. I'd just keep my hospital bag in the car or with DH so either have easy access to bring it to you. It'll be good too ,maybe it'll keep your mind off of the "when will baby come?"

Last month for me wasn't bad, though the hardest part will probably be getting dressed for such work lol. I enjoyed my baggy t-shirts & shorts

sparks2987 · January 2014

I say do it, I worked until I went into labor the day of my due date. Let them know if you haven't delivered yet, you will attend. You are uncomfortable as hell and grumpy. Remember Braxton hicks suck also, they would take my breath away mid-sentence almost daily for the last month. The only restriction on travel I had was not to travel further than an hour away. Hope this helps

ghostof5letters · January 2014

Based on my last pregnancy, I would do it. I felt fantastic right up until my delivery.

tourqeyes · January 2014

Id do it.

iris427 · January 2014

I think you would probably be fine. The day before my second was born, I chased my toddler around a park for 2 hours. It's good for you mentally and physically to keep busy (within reason of course).

INmommy871278 · January 2014

Like pp said everyone is different. I was induced at 37 weeks due to high BP, I just had a friend deliver her first at 42 weeks and it took 2 inductions for her to finally deliver. I would go for it.

cookieinva · January 2014

I worked past my due date, right up until the day before my induction at 41 weeks. I think it is possible for a pregnant lady to do it; not everyone handles it the same is all.

ashtonblair123 · January 2014

I would do it. Your big and you want the baby out but your still pretty capable of anything.

andyandrachel · January 2014

With both pregnancies, I was still working the day before my due date. It was best for me to keep busy. I'd do it.

AutumnBonfire · January 2014

I say go for it, knowing you may be uncomfortable at the end.

When I was pregnant with DS, I went back to work the last week of August after having all summer off. He was born Sept. 10, so I was at work maybe 3 weeks and they weren't even full weeks. It was a lot of lengthy meetings and in-service trainings, so I was sitting around alot. I had a lot of swelling in my feed and back pain, so it was pretty rough for me. I was really starting to question how I was going to get through the next few weeks of that (my due date was 9-22) and I was pretty glad he came early. I'm actually really glad I'll be off for the summer for my last month of pregnancy this time. But not everyone is me. Make sure you have lots of water and snacks and get up and move around often.

alyssa719 · January 2014

I would definitely do it, and as the PPs have said, have a contingency plan in place. I was on my way to work planning a huge offsite meeting when I ended up going to the hospital to be induced my first time.

AMcLaws · January 2014

I had planned on working until the end, but became too uncomfortable and too tired, so I gave in about 2 weeks prior. I probably should have toughed it out. I may have been able to progress in labor if I had.

reils500 · January 2014

I agree with PPs, I worked up to my due date, I would have worked past due date but I went into labor.
I will mention too that I don't have a desk job, I'm on my feet the majority of the day.

DelilahSun · January 2014

I agree you should do it. Sounds like a great opportunity for you :-)

Ecomom17 · January 2014

I don't see why not as long as everything's going well with your pregnancy. I pretty much was able to do the same things throughout and I have a job that involves a lot of hiking. I was swimming up until the day before I went into labor.

Sounds like you'll be within easy distance of your hospital, too, which is a plus just in case!

Myanswer true · January 2014

I'm a FTM, but I do remember my mother working the day my little brother was born. She's an elementary school teacher and spends most of the day on her feet. I think the conference sounds like a good opportunity for you!

*LrCg* · January 2014

If its not something you can back out at the last minute I wouldn't do it. My first 2 kids were born at exactly 37 weeks (they are not twins) and my 3rd right before 39 weeks. I was not induced and because I was charting to get pregnant my dates were accurate. So for me personally I and DH don't travel more than an hour from home after Im 36 weeks. Especially since I have fast labors ranging from 4-2 hours.

eortman · January 2014

As long as you can get out of it at the last minute, if you have to, I would go for it, especially since it doesn't require any travel. I fully intend to attend a conference that is a 15 hour drive away one month before my due date. We will drive and there are hospitals all along the way if the worst case scenario were to happen. However, given that my 1st two kids were evicted after their due dates, I imagine it won't be an issue at all.

alyss0nl · January 2014

I would do it, I worked up until my water broke, a Friday right after school. The end you start to go a little stir crazy, so keeping occupied will help with your sanity. Unless something changes, stay as active as you can.

pfeilele · January 2014

Go for it, as long as you can back out if medically necessary. I was walking MILES before my induction to get this kid out. I'd say sitting is probably more uncomfortable than standing and moving around at that point, but that might have just been me

It sounds like you'll be able to change positions a lot so you shouldn't be too uncomfortable. Congrats on the invite!

drunkenhandstand · January 2014

I did everything up until delivery, but everyone is different. Some pregnancies can be really tough in the end.

JKGordon · January 2014

Thank you so much for the great responses! I will definitely let them know I'm interested. I agree I'll probably need something to keep my mind off when she'll make her appearance. Thanks!

abundancenow · January 2014

I'd encourage you and others to do it, because I know so many women who work up until their delivery. It sounds like a great opportunity.
I personally would not do it because I went on early maternity leave and was terribly swollen where my feet were pained to walk, and I was physically exhausted. I would not discourage other because my situation is not the norm. Good luck!

sxymamakat · January 2014

Not a STM, but the only thought I have is to remember that conferences often involve a lot of sitting around, so it seems like it might be important to remember whatever you're using at that point to be comfy (a pillow behind your back, etc.). It may come to nothing, but I know my SIL was using a lot of "props" and she took some of them with her in the car, to work, etc.

TurtleMonsters · January 2014

as long as you can sit/stand as needed do it. I needed to move a bit, but not too much. It will kill the time to have something to concentrate on beside getting baby out.

EllaSmella · January 2014

I worked right up until my due date. It really depends on your pregnancy (ie there is always a small chance anyone of us could be put on bed rest etc at any point). However, if you have no high risk indicators at this point, I'd say go for it.

aimeepigott · January 2014

I am an ATC and a PTA which is a very physical job, especially when I am completing manual therapy on a patient. I worked up until a week before my due date and I went 5 days early. You can only do what you feel up to doing. Good luck!

DinabethL · January 2014

I would do it. This being your first you could very well go overdue!

katiem1025 · January 2014

I'd do it. I was running two days before my daughter arrived (a week early) and was still able to do everything. It was a little uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time, but as long as you can get up and move around if needed, I wouldn't be too worried.

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