How'd you decide when to stop working?

ErinE683 · February 2014

I'm sure this has been asked before, but not for a while...

When did you stop working? Or when will you? As long as the Dr doesn't make me stop, I was originally planning to work until the end. Then I realized that was crazy, and said I'd stop a week before. It will depend a little for me if I need a c-section, which would be scheduled... but now I'm just desperate to be done working! I know time off now is less time with baby, but I will also only be going back to work 2 days a week when my LOA ends. I am so miserable at work, but still have 4 weeks until my due date. So I'm curious how everyone else decided.

I do have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, which will be great so i have a better idea if I'm headed towards a scheduled c-section or not. I am still hoping to get to have a med-free birth, but there's also an irrational part of me that hopes for the c-section so I can just get this over with! This baby is messing with my head!

aLsMay24 · February 2014

I worked until the day before my due date. I tooky due date off for my appt. and ended up getting induced that afternoon. I would have gone back if I hadn't been induced until I had him. I wanted my time off to be with him at home.

linzerd · February 2014

I just notified my boss today, my LDW will be 3/7, my EDD is 3/11. If they decide they are stripping my membranes at my 3/6 appt. then LDW will be 3/6.

vacsx2 · February 2014

My due date is 3/2 and my last day of work is this Friday, 2/28 with no signs of labor on the horizon. I just thought it would be easier for my colleagues to have a hard stop and transition.

Ceventa · February 2014

My job isn't very physical and I spend most of the day sitting, so I think that has helped a lot in terms of helping me last longer at work. My due date falls on a Monday, so I have my last day at work being the Friday before. I really want to squeeze out as much time as possible to stay home with the baby, so I'm just planning on taking it really easy at work, at least as much as I can. The doctor says everything is right on schedule and although most of the time I'm sleepy and sluggish, I still feel well enough to go to work. Hopefully I stay that way for the next 2 weeks!

jbelle · February 2014

I'm planning to work until the bitter end, whenever that comes. I'm a FTM and 3 weeks from my due date, so I'm curious to see how this plan plays out in reality. So far so good.

pepperedmoth · February 2014

Due date on a Monday; last day of work the Friday before. I figure if I go early, I go early; I just wanted to minimize time sitting at home and waiting.

Just working to the end wasn't an option because of scheduling needs.

sebullows · February 2014

I will be working until the very last day. We're discussing c section/inducing tomorrow. If I find out I'll be induced on say a Friday, I'll work that Thursday. I have no choice

$$$

PerkyErky · February 2014

I am working until I go into labor. I groan every morning when my alarm goes off and I don't want to go, but I have a desk job. I'm due 3/8 and I was hoping LO would come yesterday or this morning just because I am so done mentally with work...no luck.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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angelsnight · February 2014

I'm being induced on a Monday thru Thursday, so my last day will be the Friday before. Well, it would have been, but they did the paperwork wrong and put my last day as that Thursday, so ok, I'll take an extra day.

I wanted that weekend to relax and try to prepare, and even though I don't know my induction date yet and it could be as late as that thursday, I didn't see any point in working at all that week.

I didn't want to take off earlier though because I want as much time off to be when she is here. I get 12 weeks off. If I weren't being induced, I would probably either work until I went into labor, or at least until 40 or 41 weeks, and then play it by ear if I was feeling too awful.

kristynachicago · February 2014

I'm going to work until I go into labor. I have a desk job so thankfully I can sit all day. Like many of you, I get 12 weeks off so I want to save each and every day for when the baby gets here. I'm only 36 weeks, so hopefully I don't change my tune in the weeks ahead!

CruiseGirl28 · February 2014

At my old job I was planning on working until I went into labor, but I was 10 minutes from my house. At the new office, I am over an hour from the hospital with traffic. My due date is Monday the 17th, so my last day will be Friday the 14th. I will take 1 week vaca time and then start my 12 weeks leave.

If she does decide to arrive early, I hope it's while I'm at home!!

LaurenAsh23 · February 2014

I'm still working full time, but working mostly from home, which has been a lifesaver for me. If that's an option for you, or even reducing your hours, I would suggest that.

Jens222 · February 2014

I stopped last Thursday. I wanted my last day to be 2-28, but my body couldn't handle it. I'm due 3-4. I work by myself though in a bar/ restaurant that holds 1000 people.

ErinE683 · February 2014

I wish working from home was an option, but at my job it's not. I kind of wonder about cutting back hours for the last week or two, as long as that doesn't affect my short term disability payout. I might look into that after tomorrow.

You guys are giving me the motivation I need! I am being a wimp. It doesn't help that DH got a promotion/raise and a huge bonus a couple weeks ago, so the devil on one shoulder is telling me that I don't need to be working. It was great timing for us that he got the promotion, but it doesn't change the fact that I will make waaaaaaay less when I go back to work after baby. I am going to try to stay tough!

bumpuser9058414 · February 2014

I'm due 3/3 according to ovulation but 3/6 is the due date my doc has from an early ultrasound. If it was next Monday for sure I'd maybe have Friday be my last day but if 3/6 is right I'd be sitting and waiting a few days longer. And what if he comes late? Id rather sit at work and wait and get paid. Plus I work with 10 cops and I feel safer at work than I would at home by myself.

ladyglittersparkles · February 2014

DH and I decided I should stop working around a month prior! EDD march 12. Last day of work was feb 15... I had a long commute so it's worth it right now to spend a little time with family and get all of the things done that I didn't do the past 9months

megs68 · February 2014

With DS, I worked until he came, which was a week overdue. That last week was not as physically tough as it was mentally, with everyone saying "you're STILL here???" All week. So with DD, I planned to be done on her due date to avoid the comments. I did come in for a few hours here and there the following week. She was 2 full weeks overdue. I would have gone insane if I'd left 4 weeks before and been sitting around for 6 weeks. Also I'm sure you were joking with wanting a c/s, but if you weren't, be aware that how you feel now is nothing compared to how you may feel after a c/s. I couldn't even put on my own shoes, pull up my own underwear after going to the bathroom or get out of bed without wanting to cry for over a week after my c/s. It was very humbling and painful.

Sanibel21 · February 2014

I'm planning on working til the end. But the last few weeks I'm planning in taking the days of my weekly ob appts off and using sick time for them. It means less paid time during my unpaid maternity leave but work just started becoming unbearable last week.

LittlePigeon · February 2014

My due date was originally 3/22 then switched to 3/28, but baby is measuring large.... So I am thinking she will arrive somewhere between the 22nd and 28th. My job is pretty physically draining, so it is pretty rough these days but I am hoping to work as long as possible. If I have not yet had her by 3/24 that will likely be my last day since I have an appointment on the 25th and it seems silly to not just take those next couple days off. I have short-term disability so I am a little hopeful that since my job is so physical they will tell me I need to be off so I can be off for longer... But I seriously doubt that is going to fly.

saisongbird · February 2014

I had planned to work until 3/21 (one full work week before my due date). I am so sore that I don't know if I want to work that long. Thankfully, we can afford it financially. I want to make it until at least 3/7 because that's the end of the marking period.

theluckiest9 · February 2014

I'm working til the bitter end. That being said, if it comes down to induction and I know the date I will prob take off the day before to relax/prepare.

MA&CB · February 2014

With my first I had planned to work until the end, but when my due date came and went, I decided I was done. He didn't come until 41 weeks and a couple days, and I regret that I kind of wasted that week that I could have been home with him.

For this one I'm planning on taking the day off before my c-section because I have a pre-op appointment and want to spend the day doing something fun with DS1, so I'll basically be working until the end. I am getting really uncomfortable at work, but I want as much time home with DS2 as possible.

clo1982 · February 2014

I'm scheduled for next Friday and work 3days per week. I planned to work m/t/w of next week which would be a full week for me then have off Thursday. But the dr said I need to get a bunch of bloodwork done ideally 2 days prior to my c/s so now I'm taking a sick day Wednesday which will still allow me to consider next week as a full work week then start leave the following Monday. I don't have a physically strenuous job at all though so I'm sure that factors in to my ability to work til the end.

erind0213 · February 2014

I am planning on working up until I deliver as I want to spend the time off with the baby, not waiting for the baby. This would of course change if there were any medical concerns that would pull me out of work.

With DD I had to be induced 2 days before her due date (Thursday, vs. due Saturday) so I went out 2 days earlier then planned. (My water was leaking).

This time, I am almost hoping to go a few days late. I am due March 28/29th and wouldn't mind having to go work on March 31st and then being done. Mainly because in order for me to get credit for my sick time for the month of March I have to work the whole month, and yes they will screw me over if I don't come in that last day!

novelblessings · February 2014

Due March 14th and I still plan to work until the end. I'm really struggling between the commute and stress of work, but I'm dragging myself in every day, 40 hours a week. Luckily my caseload has dropped way off or I'd be going insane right now. I do plan to just play it by ear from here on out though as I had a very rough week last week and ended up taking Friday off.

If I left now I'd loose all my vacation time and I don't have that much time to begin with. I need that time for when LO arrives. I only plan to take 8 weeks off and 5 of those week I will get STD, the rest I will use up my vacation time and then I'll have a few days unpaid in there. I have been contemplating that if I go until my due date, which is a Friday, I'll just take leave after that.

maganonymous · February 2014

I'm working until the very end. I only have enough $$ saved up for an 8 week leave, and I don't want to spend any of it at home just waiting. I've got 3 weeks left until EDD, but so far, I'm feeling great. Even helped unload a truck today (which DH got after me for...but who else was gonna do it???

)

manda1022 · February 2014

I was planning to work until my due date of 03/21. My office recently underwent some significant changes and my case load has almost doubled.

I feel like I'm letting down my coworkers because we are drowning in work. However, my feet and legs have been swelling and my blood pressure is a little higher than it has been normally. I am not sure I will make it to my due date or that working is a healthy option for me and baby. I discussed this with my coworkers and supervisor today. Thankfully, they are very understanding... But I still feel a tremendous amount of guilt leaving sooner than anticipated. I am putting the health of me and the baby first though and I'm sure that's a decision I won't regret in the long run!

Dawlschic8 · February 2014

My due date is March 17 but baby has been measuring a week ahead in my ultrasounds. Today started my first day of maternity leave. My job is physically demanding and I am always on my feet so I think I always knew I would be going out early. I think baby boy is coming early. I am already dilated 1 cm and 50% effaced. I really want this week to relax and do last minute stuff around the house to prepare for him. And the last thing I wanted was my water to break at work. Lol.

stephcrosby09 · February 2014

Due March 5th, last day will be the 7th for sure. 38w6d today,

Mrae87 · February 2014

I decided to stop working when my boss decided to be a douche about maternity leave. I left the next day and started working from home.

Natty13umppo · February 2014

I SAH now, but with DD I worked up to the end....basically. I was pushing 42 weeks and had been scheduled for an induction on Friday so I decided that I would take Thursday off for Dr appt, last minute things, etc. Well....as I left work on Wednesday, my doctor called and said due to hospital scheduling or something, they needed to move my induction to Thursday. At least it was going to be late Thurs so I'd still sort of have a day off. But then LO decided otherwise and my water broke Wednesday night.

So in theory, I had decided to take the day off before my induction. In reality, I worked up until my water broke....

To be honest, I wasn't that uncomfortable and I worked at a desk so it wasn't that physical. It was fun freaking out my coworkers each extra day I was there. Ha! I had thought about my last day being the friday before my due date (a Sunday) but I'm glad that didn't happen because I would have used an extra 10 days of leave just waiting....

BethRN1987 · February 2014

Well I work three 12 hour shifts- on my feet lifting and moving patients.

I called my OB today to day I'm done and just needed a note ( I'll be 38 weeks we'd) and she told me no. She won't write a note even just saying I'm stopping work due to pregnancy. Grrrrrr guess I'm working until labor

mfarmer0811 · February 2014

My doctor will induce at 39 weeks unless I go on my own. That is March 16th. We have spring break the 10-14, so I'm done on the 7th!! 9 more work days!! And...I'm NOT going back!!!! WOOOHOOO!

SassyFlats · February 2014

I'm due Friday, 3/7 and decided that will be my last day. I was going to work until the end, but I'm just exhausted and sore and, honestly, I don't have much work to do since all of my regular tasks have already been allocated to the new full time person or to the intern. I'll be part time when I come back after 12 weeks.

I'm taking my remaining two vacation days this week and then working mostly from home next week, mostly doing internet research grunt work in a Google doc (shared with my boss) so that there's nothing left hanging if I go into labor early.

ring_pop · February 2014

With DS1 I went as long as I could, and decided that 38 weeks was my limit. It was summer, I had a hard time dragging myself onto the crowded streetcar every day.

I thought it would give me a couple of weeks to rest up but he was born within the first week.

This time, having been so exhausted lately with a toddler, I wanted to make sure I had some time to myself. I'm so glad I started my leave when I did.

SomersIsles · February 2014

My plan was to work to the very end ... BUT I'm now walking like a broken duck because my sciatic nerve (I assume) is kicking my ass.... And as an elementary school teacher this is a huge problem. I don't know what to do now.

liamandlettie · February 2014

Due March 14 but told them March 7 is my last day. I am taking 16 weeks off so I'd rather have a few day to myself if she doesn't came a little early.

lb1117 · February 2014

My BP was up at my appointment 3 days before I ended up induced. I didn't go to work between the Tuesday night and the induction on Saturday. I was told to rest and take it easy to see if my BP would go down.

It didn't so the induction was a surprise at 37w2d. So basically, until I went into labor. Just earlier than planned.

Newmom Dee · February 2014

I'm going to work until I'm 38 weeks 5 days. Then I'm off for 16-18 weeks depending on how we save $ for the 11 weeks I'm getting paid. Hubby is expecting a bonus/gift that can take us from week 12-15 and if we save we can make it until week 17-18. Then no extra days off for me until christmas. I just want to leave baby girl at 4 months exactly. I will be playing the lotto those 16-18 weeks I'll be off just in case

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