When to go in maternity leave?

antoinettebar · April 2015

I'm 34 weeks and driving every day 1 hour to work and 1 hour back. The mornings are still fine, but she is moving like crazy from 2 pm and doesn't stop till I'm home. She loves stepping on bladder and make driving challenging... Sitting at desk getting difficult too. So far I asked to stop at 38 weeks, or I'm I pushing it???

bean8213 · April 2015

I'm working up until I have this baby. It might be uncomfortable, but medically I'm fine and I want as much time as possible with baby after birth.

SmrBrd2012 · April 2015

There are lots of people that work up until they have their babies. I'm one of them too. My commute is an hour each way as well, but on public transportation. It sucks but what are you gonna do! I don't think you're pushing it at all unless your doc thinks it's medically necessary but it's ultimately your call if work doesn't have a problem with it.

katiebug66 · April 2015

I've worked up until baby the last two. I hope to with this one. I would go stir crazy at home alone and I want my leave for after baby. Since it is a scheduled C, I might take the day before but there is actually a meeting that it would be helpful for me to be at so I might not.

kateamart · April 2015

I'm working right up until my due date, May 29. I'll start my maternity leave after that date, even if I go past. However, I do empathize with you! I really didn't think twice about that being my plan, but I'm only 33 weeks along, and already have to talk myself into going in every single day. And then when Friday afternoon comes, I breath a sigh of relief and congratulate myself on making it through another week. I seriously had no idea how challenging this would be!

mrswynn2014 · April 2015

I wish I could have the option to leave work early, but I'm working as long as I can. I don't get paid maturity leave , but I'm still taking 8 weeks off after she is here. I want to spend as much time w her as I can after she is born. But if We could afford it I would quit now and be a stay at home mommy!

SmrBrd2012 · April 2015

mrswynn2014 said:
I wish I could have the option to leave work early, but I'm working as long as I can. I don't get paid maturity leave , but I'm still taking 8 weeks off after she is here. I want to spend as much time w her as I can after she is born. But if We could afford it I would quit now and be a stay at home mommy!

Same here! I try to make the numbers work every day in my head but they just never do! Wish we had some better options in the US. I'm so very jealous of these ladies in other countries that get paid leave.

QueenVict0ria · April 2015

I was going to quit the 17th at 37 1/2 weeks but ended up quitting the 4th at 35. I'm high risk and started having early contractions & chest pains due to stress from work so i quit. I had enough saved up and my bf makes enough that we can live off one income. Since being home I've had no more problems :-) Just listen to ur body. u will know if turns from just being uncomfortable to too much. Some ppl can work up til due date some can't. Good luck.

sassyg25 · April 2015

My due date is May 8th so I put April 27th in as my last day because I don't know when baby is coming and I know it's already difficult being on my feet all day as is.
It was easier being pregnant the first time when I was younger. I worked till 38 wks and my son was born right at 38wks so.. idk everyone is so different

kaycorey89 · April 2015

I'm due the 28th of may, but will be done work the 1st of may. I would like to work longer but standing for 8 hours a day on my feet is killing me. Come home with swollen ankles and feet. The swelling does go down after about an hour and a half or 2 hours. But then when I get up again oh my god I wish everytime I hadn't. Sore sore sore feet. Some of the girls at my work who have had children completely understand me wanting to go then and they try to let me sit when it's possible.. Doesn't happen often. Then there are the old girls who never had kids and have no idea what's going on and bitch and moan if then find me taking a 5 minute break. One woman refuses to do anything. Won't sweep the floors, won't empty the mop bucket, won't mop the floor. Nothing! Do good to get her to ring the customers in. I have an appt on Friday with my ob and gonna talk to her and see if she will put me off the end of the month. In Canada we can get 15 weeks sick before our mat leave and it doesn't count towards it and you can still take the full year off. So here's hoping.

luce3103 · April 2015

There's no "right" answer to this, you do what you can physically, emotionally and financially. I work overnights and have three hours travel time a day between work and taking my son to school. Sleep three hours at a time, working 6 days a week, it's hell. If I could stop at 36 weeks, financially, I would. If you can leave work earlier, do it, stress isn't a good thing for you or baby right now.

ArcadianDreams · April 2015

Last time I stopped after my due date, because I worked over an hour from home and just wasn't comfortable being so far away.

This time, I'm actually closer to the hospital from work than from home, so oddly, I'm probably better off working.

megmama · April 2015

I also have 1 hour each way to and from work. With my DD I worked right up until she was born. This time I am going on leave at 39 weeks, so I can have a week to start relaxing. But I agree with PP, if you can financially handle leaving early, go for it. I personally would go nuts sitting for 2 weeks at home while my daughter is in school.

DMEL · April 2015

I'm working up until 38 weeks. The numbers worked well for us financially and although I sometimes worry that I'll "go crazy at home waiting", I think it's the best choice for us for many reasons.
1. Baby may come early and at least everything will be squared away at work- my patients will be transferred to a new doc as of May 11.
2. I'd like to relax a little before baby comes. I imagine I'll be even more uncomfortable than i am now so having time off to rest will be much appreciated. I never take time off. Like ever
3. Last minute stuff to get nursery ready can occur during those two weeks
4. I live near the beach. May is a great time to go and avoid the crowds

MegsB1112 · April 2015

I'm working up until baby comes, but last night I was seriously debating seeing if I could get disability earlier. When I was on spring break last week I had little to no pain. Now after 2 days of being back to work (I teach kindergarten) I could hardly get out of bed last night and wanted to cry I was in so much pain. I'm thinking of taking a day off every week just to rest my body until little one comes. I'm due May 7th and the last day of school is June 5th so I don't really have to worry about using up maternity leave since I'll have all summer and I plan on using disability instead of my sick leave for it anyway. I might seriously consider leaving work early if the pain keeps up, but I just don't think I could really afford it. But it is tempting! Do whatever is right for you!

thughes05 · April 2015

With my last 2 I worked right up until I had the last 2 but this time I'm leaving on the 18th of this month, I'll be 38 weeks and we will see if I make it that far. Financially I can't afford it, but physically I don't feel I can do my job. So I just feel it's best. Again, it's definitely your choice and what you are comfortable with.

rosannewild · April 2015

Due to the nature of my work, I need to have reasonable time for closure with each patient and complete a discharge or transfer. That being said, I am planning on finishing direct work with people by the 24th of this month, with the final week in April being paperwork. That way if baby comes after the 24th, I will be able to put paperwork on hold and come in to the office and complete it at my convenience. I'd like to keep earning right up until the baby, but it isn't good to the patients to have them hanging on without a solid plan.

icajesica82 · April 2015

With my first I worked up until I had her. This baby my last day is 2 days before my due date. My due date is on a sunday so I'm working up until that Friday. Mainly because I work at an alternative school and just can't see myself dealing with my students at 41 weeks if I go that long. With my first I worked a desk job too and just dealt with it and got up and walked a lot.

Knottie54288128 · April 2015

My due date is May 27, and my scheduled last day of work is May 22. I'm a teacher so I'm really lucky to be surrounded with a lot of other really awesome teachers who will watch my class whenever I need to take a bathroom break, or just a few minutes of distressing. I love them!

canadianmom89 · April 2015

I'm stopping at 38 weeks too (next Friday April 17 is my last day!!!!) I travel an hour each way by public transit and have been working crazy over time to finish up all of my projects and I work in a pretty high stress job so a part of me regretting not leaving sooner but I wanted as much time with my baby as possible so I'm using my 2 weeks of vacation I have saved up and will start my year maternity leave on my due date, may 1.

babyblue0501 · April 2015

I haven't taken any vacation time in 2 years, and it's just been accruing. I decided at 38 weeks (4/17) to take PTO until my due date which is 5/1. Then my 12 week maternity leave begins on my due date. My doctor is projecting I will go early, and honestly I need some time before baby to get things in order at home. My baby shower is this weekend, and with almost 100 guests, I'm sure I'm going to be very busy organizing. I think it all depends on how you feel, your type of job, and policies at work. I could probably work until my water breaks, but I'd rather be home relaxing until that happens. Lol.

odawg · April 2015

I am stopping at 37 weeks. I drive 1 hour as well plus have to get on base to have the baby which at some points in the day can be a little challenging because of all the traffic and ID checks. I tried to save as much "sick leave" as I could throughout the past two years so that I knew I had some time if I didn't get to use my "disability" insurance. I am fairly positive I could last a week or so longer but I need to get ready for the little one and take a nap or two!

antoinettebar · April 2015

Thank you all for your feedback! If it was only the work I would have loved to push till the end, but anyone living in Miami, understand the traffic and 1 hour commute to work and back, mostly turn to 2 hours-4hourz per day. My boss want me back soon as well, and even offered that I could work from home for a while, they want be back in the saddle 3/52 post delivery

MrsS728 · April 2015

I am due May 4th and working until April 24th, which is 38 weeks 5 days.

My doctor actually would like to take me out of work April 17th (two weeks before), but I convinced her to let me work until April 24th due to state testing.

bubbyD · April 2015

I tried to work until 38 weeks but had to stop at 36 weeks. So tired and uncomfortable. I would recommend not committing to longer than 36 weeks if possible. I also did not want to waste non baby time at home or go crazy waiting but physically feeling worn down was not great. Good luck all.

manacita · April 2015

I run an online sewing/seamstress business on etsy and I went on maternity leave this weekend. This is my 3rd sticky pregnancy and the most painful one. I can't take care of my two toddlers all day, sew in the morning, naptime, and evenings, and keep our house even a little bit clean. I worked a normal job with ds until the day I had him, dd was a Christmas baby, and this one is due in 4-5 weeks. I'll probably keep my shop closed until the new baby is 4-5 weeks old. It just depends. But for now, I really needed the break. It'll hurt us financially.

Mari621 · April 2015

I'm working until this kid falls out of me. I'm a nurse and on my feet for 13 hrs a day. I'm just going to stuck it up til the very end so I can spend as much time at home with the baby. My son came 9 days early. I'm hoping the same for this one also.

mallie21 · April 2015

I'm due May 29th, I'll be taking my leave starting May 7th, 3 weeks before. Just in case I'm early or need more time to get things together and cleaned up at the house. I work in a very busy environment, always on my feet, bending, moving...for at least 45 hours a week. It's rough on my body. I'm only at 33 weeks and come home in pain everyday. I don't think I could do that all the way till my due date! But everyone is different.

fallenpegasus · April 2015

I'm a FTM and due on May 12th. I started my maternity leave at almost 36 weeks (Yesterday was my first day off). Doctor wanted me done at 35, but wasn't feasible as my coworker was on vacation then. Originally, I was going to try to work up until I had baby, but I started having tachycardia at about 30 weeks. Also found out that I am anemic at the same time. I realized that I must just not be one of the women that is able to continue working until baby comes. I am finally OK with that.

mars8k · April 2015

My plan is to work till baby's here, i went for a check up today and i'm 3 cm already! Baby's healthy and my doctor tells me we're both ready to go, i asked her for a sick leave so i have the rest of the week off and i'm hoping baby will be here on Friday *-*

singer831 · April 2015

If you're in California, you can go on disability 4 weeks before your due date. We pay taxes, take advantage of the benefits!

supersarah77 · April 2015

With DD I worked up until two days before I delivered, but, I ended up tapering off due to some complications. So I didn't work full time until the end, there were a couple weeks at 30 hrs/wk and a couple weeks at 20 hrs/wk. it was much easier on my body. could you do something like that?

This pregnancy I planned to work through the end of April (due May 17 but was a week early with DD), but again complications got in the way and I suddenly found myself on bed rest at the end of March.

Your baby's health and your health are much more important than a few weeks of work, IMO.

hannahhassonn · April 2015

I wanted to go to 38 weeks but here I am. 36 weeks and at home. I teach and my schedule is exhausting WITHOUT being pregnant. I decided to suck it up and make the financial sacrifice to stay at home until baby is born. Coming home at night with crippling hip pain and massive swollen legs can't be good for baby. Not to mention schools are stressful. I feel so much peace that I chose to leave early.

stumpsa · April 2015

Unfortunately FMLA will not start until your due date. But if you have PTO or vacation time, you can use that up until your due date. Your company might let you go earlier but you won't be protected under FMLA. Hope that helps!

SmrBrd2012 · April 2015

stumpsa said:
Unfortunately FMLA will not start until your due date. But if you have PTO or vacation time, you can use that up until your due date. Your company might let you go earlier but you won't be protected under FMLA. Hope that helps!

Actually, FMLA can protect you if you start taking it prior to birth if it is adversely affecting your health to be at work. It's labeled as "incapacity related to pregnancy":

https://kb.dol.gov/DOLArticlePage?agency=WHD&parentCatValue=&article=ka0i0000000KUqqAAG

a316b · April 2015

I start FMLA tomorrow- was told to wait out baby at home. I'm almost 37 weeks, 2cm, 60%, but my fluid is getting low. They hope by not going to work for a few days we can let baby cook a little longer

I'm a teacher- so at this point I'm looking at (worst case) one unpaid week before summer vacation. Worth it to me to keep baby maturing a bit more!

Doora · April 2015

I'm working up to 38 week, then take 2 weeks holiday and maternity leave starts on the actual due date(18th, May).
I would stop anytime now as I work in a kitchen, being busy, standing up and rushing around all day, but money is needed

kpmarie · April 2015

Work told me when I would be done, which is fine. May 1st is my last day but she isn't due until the 10th. We get a year off paid here and I am so sorry some of you ladies do not.

kirstikay215 · April 2015

I had planned on taking leave May 22nd the Friday before my due date of the 26th, because we really need me to work as long as possible. But last appointment changed EVERYTHING. Had high BP and they did all sorts of tests and found out that the placenta is too small for my baby to grow any more so they are going to take him at 37 or 38 weeks! Very nervous, I can't wait to see him but wish he could stay in a little longer.

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