When to throw in the towel

Themaritimemama · February 2014

I'm wondering when everyone is throwing in the towel and going on mat leave? I'm in Canada, so I know it's different than other countries. I'm just shy of 32 weeks, and I work at a daycare. I work with 6-10 toddlers every day and I'm just exhausted. My goal was to work until March 14th, but I'm finding that I'm generally so uncomfortable and I find I get crampy and lightheaded. At what point should I just give up my "plan"?

rlmanning · February 2014

I would definitely talk to your dr. I had a GF that worked at MAC and she was on her feet all day. She was having contractions very early on. The Dr. took her off work at 32 weeks. She delivered her little girl at 34 weeks. If you arent feeling well talk to your Dr. and be honest. I will be off work as of 36 weeks.

snmetz7 · February 2014

I'm with @hvmom2b, I'll be working until my water breaks... boo

AmberLiz99 · February 2014

I work freelance from home now, so I don't get a real maternity leave, but with ds I worked a FT desk job and worke till I was 3 days overdue. Ds was born 4 days after that.

katieharpiceland · February 2014

I have a similar situation to you leave wise, and I went off at 31 weeks. It was also becoming impossible for me to do my job. It was HIGHLY recommended to me by all the other mother's that I work with to take off, and I'm so glad I did. Since you have the leave, do it! Use the time to rest and get things in order.

KelleAlward · February 2014

I get 4 weeks state disability prior to my due date, and I intend to take advantage of that. I work 40 hours in a busy coffee shop. I'm finding more frequently that I have to sit down because my abdominal muscles start clenching after too long. I'm using vacation time to supplement shorter shifts for the next 4 weeks.

Alana1977 · February 2014

I am almost exactly the same as you. I live in Canada and work in daycare as well. I will 33 weeks this Friday and my last day of work is March 21 (exactly 3 weeks before due date.

JessieAlbin · February 2014

I'm lamenting the paychecks I won't be getting (especially today, since it is pay day and I am super bummed I will only have two more of those), but it is becoming very apparent to me and everyone around me at work that I can't physically do my job for much longer. Leaving on the 1st.

BreeShipman · February 2014

I'm hoping to work till he comes. I'm a teacher at a private school and so I can take off but after 2 weeks of vacation/sick time it's unpaid. If I'm a week late I won't go back so idk but if it's possible I will be there till I go into labor.

jgreig83 · February 2014

I am with OP. I live in BC so I get a year mat leave, and I want to start right now. I don't work a physical job at all (I work the front desk for a doctor), but I am tired of my commute and the "shit" that comes along with working in an office with 6 other women. I just want to be done already. I plan on working up until March 28th (I am due April 18th) and that includes two weeks of training for the new person. I hope I can make it, it pays off on the other end, getting to stay with LO till they are almost 1.

amhah09 · February 2014

I'm a nurse and I work until the end. Usually I try to get my 3 days in as early as possible the week before. This year I'm "due" on a Friday and my schedule has been Friday-Sunday for the most part so I may still work the Sunday before and then just take a few days. And if I go into labor earlier they'll just take me off the schedule.

Nxy · February 2014

I am leaving my job March 29th due April 20th. I wont be returning to work though so I suppose it's different. Don't have to worry about vacation time or maternity leave. DO have to worry about the inevitable freakout over not having a job for the first time in a long time.

cfthoct292011 · February 2014

I'm due april 22nd and i hope to start my leave April 5th. I wanted to try to stay until the end but my job is very stressful and I'm on my feet all day. She has been making it hard to walk because she is so far down so i wanna try to suck it up until then.

MadBloom · February 2014

I'm also in Canada and I also work with kids. Grades K-6. I'm 33 weeks and am working until March 14th. The difference with me though is that since I'm a "full-time sub" I have just been transitioning to "casual" and taking less jobs. I'm trying to limit myself to 3 days a week right now because it does get pretty exhausting. Especially with young kids because you are constantly bending down to be at their level. I initially planned on going until the 21st but changed my mind because it's just burning me out.
I can imagine you're feeling similar or even more tired if you're working full time hours! In my opinion the 14th sounds fair, even a week earlier if you really think you need it!

MadBloom · February 2014

Oh and depending on who your employer is.... like if you're with a school district for example, you might be entitled to a month of medical leave before Mat leave! I know we are with my school district. (If needed of course). I have a friend due the first week of May and she will actually end right before Spring break. Which is the last weekend in March and first week of April. So she will take the Month of Medical Leave (with a Doctors note) and then her year of Mat leave at 60% pay. She WILL need the month due to pre-existing conditions.

I'm feeling pretty bad for all the ladies with only 6weeks of leave

alysemci · February 2014

My job is not flexible and GD is causing complications. I have a mandatory 4 appts a week (3 are at one place and I can usually cram into a 2-3 hour visit) but my ob is open the same hours as my work hours. I'll use vacation time until 36 weeks when I have the appointments and then per doctors orders be off work. I'll go back 12 weeks after delivery

Xxlilies · February 2014

I work in an office and I'm due april 16
My last say is march 28
I've already gotten some grief from coworkers that they think it's too early eta I m in Canada and get a year off

nursewinnie · February 2014

I will work until the week of my due date, or I go into labor whichever comes first. Due April 10th, last day is the Friday before. Planning on 6-8 weeks leave depending on if I end up with a csection or not. Then I have to go back. Being a nurse, this wont be easy but with DH being laid off I don't have a choice really.

BiggerinRealLife · February 2014

Disability gives me 4 weeks before EDD, take it or leave it, so I'm taking it. 55% of a paycheck I setter than nothing, and with the pregnancy sciatica getting off my feet all day will be awesome. March 28th can't come fast enough!

nicole mackenzie · February 2014

Im a vet tech in America and plan on working until I'm in labor as I only get 12 weeks total

unpaid...

I have slowed down a bit, and take any opportunity to sit for a bit now.

The last month I'll probably be sent to the front desk.

My office manager said I've been super easy and haven't needed a lot, but to be sure to say when I couldn't lift something, etc.

fourthnlast · February 2014

Mamamadi said:

I'm wondering when everyone is throwing in the towel and going on mat leave? I'm in Canada, so I know it's different than other countries. I'm just shy of 32 weeks, and I work at a daycare. I work with 6-10 toddlers every day and I'm just exhausted. My goal was to work until March 14th, but I'm finding that I'm generally so uncomfortable and I find I get crampy and lightheaded. At what point should I just give up my "plan"?

My last day of work was the day before my 6 year old was born. I had to work all the way until the bitter end. It sucked, but at least I wasn't home and bored waiting for the time to pass

Good luck!

LittleLady77 · February 2014

In CA we get 4 weeks before due date, take it or leave it. I'm taking it. The problem is they go by your 40 week due date and I will be induced 2 weeks before that IF I even make it that far... So ya. Basically I'm working until 36 weeks which is when twins usually come anyways

( Luckily I get to work from home 1-2 days a week in late pregnancy and I work pretty short hours now. My boss is cool like that.

Rogue237 · February 2014

Unfortunately I'm in America, so I'll be working up until I deliver and then taking 12 weeks unpaid leave. Hooray?

NavyMrsOT · February 2014

My last day is march 14, EDD April 14. These last few weeks are gonna be rough as I have a very physical job! But I won't be returning after baby since we are moving to the middle east

CalinAZ · February 2014

I'm planning on working until 4/11 and my due date is 4/29. I'm a teacher and my kids have state testing until 4/10, so I would really like to be there through that. I have only 13 or so sick days, since I moved states the year before that and didn't get to bring my sick days with me

. I do have short term disability, though, which will really help. The school year is only until 5/23, so I'll miss out the last 6 weeks of school.

Of course, now that I've been having so many contractions, I'm a little concerned about making it that far. I'm staying off my feet as much as I can.

MapleLeafMama · February 2014

In Canada as well. Due April 3rd. Official leave starts march 31st. I'm off at march break and then am using two weeks of sick leave before my leave starts. I can't.effing.wait. I'm so over being at work.

thejewelster · February 2014

Also in BC, my due date is April 7 and plan on leaving work on the 14th of March. I have a desk job so it's not hard, I just want time all to myself while I still can! I will be on paid vacation for the 1st 3 weeks, then mat/parental leave for a year.

joules40 · February 2014

I'm a teacher and I plan on working up to until EDD. However I have a TON of sick time and just might call in sick if I get tired or achy around or around my due date. The thought of going into labor in front of 13 year olds is terrifying.

(Haha my kindle's auto correct is awful and put in "I have a TON of Dick time". Awesome)

pineconey · February 2014

I'm 33w and not sure how much longer I can hold out. I'm so exhausted all the time and keep glaring at the people I run in to who say "I worked right up until I went into labor!"

I want to punch them.

Eta: I want to punch them because they say it like I'm a wimp.

Emmynetty · February 2014

I would have 12 weeks unpaid FMLA but my husband had some surgeries last year so I had to use half of my 12 weeks. It sucks that they combine them together even though they are for two different things. So, with only 6 weeks or so left, I'm trying to work until labor. I work a very active job though (I literally only sit down to pee). It's getting really hard!

Edit: typo

patunia7321 · February 2014

I am working right up to the end but I have a very supportive work enviroment and my job isn't physically demanding (teacher- but I don't have my own classroom). If I had more sick time I'd probably leave earlier. I will barely have enough time to make it to summer break without taking unpaid time, especially with all of the stupid make-up snow days they'll be tacking on to the end of the year.

Lacynduck · February 2014

At first I was "working till the end" but now at 33w I'm thinking I'll only do two more weeks. I work for my dad at a restaurant so it is getting to be too much for my body to be running around.

Themaritimemama · February 2014

Ugh I feel so so bad for you ladies who get 12 weeks. I think I can take 12 weeks medical leave, and then I get the full year mat leave. I'm just finding it exhausting lifting 6-10 toddlers up for diaper changes, etc and picking up toys. I worked until 4 weeks before with my other two kids, but I find I'm so exhausted when I get home at the end of the night, that I suffer, and so does my husband and kids because they get me at my worst. I'm thinking I'll just hold out because financially it would put us in a better place. I'll speak to my doc though. Thanks for the input ladies!

Mustardseed2007 · February 2014

I'm on hospital bed rest now and I'm still working. I plan to work until they wheel me into the delivery room. It's definitely a function of limited maternity leave being available to me after birth.

olenkapdx · February 2014

Due date is April 6 and I am working until April 4 if all goes normally. My boss has been cool about letting me WFH more than my usual one day a week, so I will probably do that a little more nearing the end. I have a completely undemanding government job so the only challenge is trying to stay somewhat comfortable for 9 hours in a desk chair and staving off boredom.

Elf2718 · February 2014

I'm a lab analyst in a dairy facility and I am the one who makes the money. I plan on working until my water breaks. I only get two weeks of vacation and I am saving one week for when I get married next spring. The other will be used for the first week I'm off after delivery. STD only pays so much as well so I plan on going back btn 6-9 wks unless I am forced out longer.

zazu13 · February 2014

My last day is Monday when I will be 33w4d with twins. I just can't do it any longer though I originally told my job I'd work as long as I could. I'm looking forward to resting before the madness and chaos of two newborns begins

chirico3 · February 2014

Here (Italy) usually I should go on ML 2 months before my due date, and come back three months after the baby is born, with 80% of my paycheck for those 5 months. Which means I should have left work yesterday (!)

I have asked to work until one month before my due date, and come back 4 months after baby comes, so I'll do 1+4 instead of 2+3. Its allowed as long as my doctor certificates I am healthy and my pregnancy doesn't show any problems. So I'll have to go on maternity leave on March 18th, with my due date being April 18th.

I am glad I'll get one month of rest before baby comes, but it'd be even better if I could have all my five months after. But I surely cannot complain!

snowclouds · February 2014

Mamamadi said:

Ugh I feel so so bad for you ladies who get 12 weeks. I think I can take 12 weeks medical leave, and then I get the full year mat leave. I'm just finding it exhausting lifting 6-10 toddlers up for diaper changes, etc and picking up toys. I worked until 4 weeks before with my other two kids, but I find I'm so exhausted when I get home at the end of the night, that I suffer, and so does my husband and kids because they get me at my worst. I'm thinking I'll just hold out because financially it would put us in a better place. I'll speak to my doc though. Thanks for the input ladies!

Definitely take those weeks off as medical leave if your doctor will sign you off. Some doctors won't (my friend's wouldn't), but most will when it's because your job is just too demanding. They will need to provide a valid medical reason. I went off at 35 wks when I had K on Short Term Disability which my doctor signed me off on because of severe SPD. I plan on leave April 1st (36 wks) on STD once again and start my mat leave when baby is born. You can just leave on mat leave, but you'll have to go back to work before baby is 1 or use vacation to cover that time.

It was totally worth it to be able to do all the last minute little things I had planned, but was too tired to do at night.