When are you cutting down work hours?

jencook25 · August 2015

I was wondering when an appropriate time to cut work hours back would be? I work from 8am to 5.30pm every weekdays (sometimes later finishes). I live 40 mins from work, which makes my work day seem longer. Im starting to feel its a bit much, but im only 20 weeks!

mrsm224 · August 2015

Ugh, I feel you! I am 18 weeks, working 10am-8pm, and I'm starting to feel it take a toll on me as well. At my next doctors appointment (I will be 20.5 weeks) I am going to ask their opinion and see about possibly getting a note from them. Good luck!!

amyelise25 · August 2015

I'm planning on working full time until dec 24th (38 weeks). I'll be burning off use-or-loose leave until I deliver. I do get to work from home a day or two a week, so that's a nice break. I also sit all day, so that helps.

SummerOH · August 2015

Not until the day I go into labor, barring doctor's orders to cut back beforehand. I leave my house at 7am, commute an hour to my desk job, then another hour back home to get there around 5:30, so my days are 10.5 hours. It'll be worse with winter weather traffic, but I'm saving all of my 3 months of FMLA to be at home with the baby.

claireloSC · August 2015

Not until the last possible moment. Maternity leave is for after the baby is born.

willashbaby · August 2015

Until I go into labor (unless otherwise medically necessary), I'm a teacher, we don't get to leave early.

keshakdavis · August 2015

I'm ready to cut back my hours so I feel you. 19 weeks with twins. I work 8 to 5 plus a 90 min commute each way, 1 hr of exercise each day plus grad school. This lady is exhausted!

jencook25 · August 2015

Thanks for sharing your plans/experiences ladies! Travel is a killer! Just want to clarify, Im not talking about starting maternity leave, but rather cutting work hours back (say, one short day a week etc) before baby is born when I find it's getting too much. I have a lot of time in leui up my sleeve from the busy season from my work, so that's what ill be using. My job is a mix of office work, but sometimes very physical, on the road and working on farms/stations.

katymae08 · August 2015

I already told my boss that if I was scheduled to work the day my water decides to break that he'll be needing to purchase a new chair! Every day of my six weeks off will be spent with baby. I work in EMS and where I work we don't get any leave. The ONLY time we get in a full year is our 56hrs of paid vacation. I work 12hr shifts so as you can tell they don't go far. Hubby and I based our household on 2 incomes long ago so cutting back hours is not possible in our home.

nlwz123 · August 2015

Yeah, I'm not cutting back hours until I actually have the baby. If I want to keep my insurance, well...I have to stay full time.

peppercorn16 · August 2015

My situation is a lot different than a lot of ladies here and I will actually be quitting my job-- not taking leave-- for baby, which takes off some of the pressure (I will be finding a different job after my husband and I decide my leave is up, as I am a recent college grad). My replacement has already been hired and is working minimal hours right now and getting trained and whatnot. The goal is for her to take over at least one day a week within the next month, and probably pick up a second day in November. I am 5 feet tall and have corgi legs, so a legitimate fear is me not being able to safely fit behind my steering wheel. When that happens, I'm not going to risk it and will just have to call it done. Having someone else in place takes the pressure off so that when I am not able to work a full week for whatever reason, there's a fallback. Not all ladies have this setup and this freedom obviously, but I am SO grateful to be in this situation.
edited for missing letters and words.

mrsgetz4000 · August 2015

When my body tells me. I work in a kitchen so it will be tough. I told the executive chef I might need to learn to cook from a bar stool lol. We have a girl who is 37 weeks and she's down to 6 hour days, but she's still hanging tough otherwise

N1col3 · August 2015

I already work part time (730-1) so I don't need to cut back hours. But even if I wanted to there's not an option for that. I would have to find a new position and apply for it or just quit

ashs88 · August 2015

I am planning to work up until my due date, as I did with DS, as long as this pregnancy continues to go smoothly. I have a 45-50 minute commute each way, plus pick DS up from daycare on the way home, so basically I leave the house at 6:10 and get home around 4:30. I definitely get worn out, but I want to save all of my time off for after baby arrives. If I had extra time to use up that would certainly make a difference. The only thing I'm a bit nervous about is my water breaking while I'm at work (yuck!) and having to drive myself 45 minutes to the hospital in the middle of winter. My water broke before I started contractions with DS but luckily I was at home when it happened.

banders8 · August 2015

I'm planning on working as far as I can before I go into labor-- definitely want to save my time at work for when the baby is born.

ekscopp · August 2015

I'm glad to hear other people are tired already and planning on working until the end! I am a nurse and work 12 hour night shifts so I feel exhausted pretty much all the time. I'm fortunate to only work 20 minutes away from where I live so that helps, especially in the morning!! Best of luck to everyone planning on sticking it out til the end!! Make sure to take breaks and stay hydrated!!

UptownPearl · August 2015

I am super stubborn about work. My boss gave me a week off when my morning sickness was severe and I went in anyways. I busted my tail bone this weekend and went to work yesterday against my mom's and DH's wishes. I do get paid holiday and some paid vacation at my job, but outside of that I either have to make up hours I miss or get my pay docked and I just don't feel like I can handle either of those things with LO on the way, so I probably won't cut down at all unless it's doctor ordered. But I feel you, if I had the money I wouldn't be working at all

Mamabeagle · August 2015

I don't know how any of you are feeling since every pregnancy is different and all, but it is really hard for me to believe that at this point in the process this "working less" thing isn't just a "I want to work less" as opposed to a medical necessity "I have to work less".

jrouge12 · August 2015

I'm working full time until my contractions are five minutes apart and regular. Why waste my maternity leave when baby is still doing back flips in the pool. I will be doing more sitting at work towards the end.

I do consider myself luckier than others, I am a teacher so I already have a little over a week off at Christmas built in to rest and really nest before going back to work in January and waiting out my due date. I like how colleagues at work are saying how lucky I am to have a "vacation" in January! Ummm...I'll be adjusting to life with my newborn not sipping margaritas on the beach.

JoJoMama730 · August 2015

I'm not. I hope to work up until labor starts with this one. The family has to eat, which means I have to work.

Veronicab1985 · August 2015

I will probably cut back to part time around November. I drive an hour to work, and where I drive can get really nasty weather wise in late fall and winter. It's great some people are all gung ho about working as long as possible, but I'm also trying to think of safety. Better to take a cut in pay than risk getting into an accident or pushing yourself too hard. A lot of things are more important than money. Luckily, my husband can work more hours to help make up some (but not all) of the difference. I know not everyone has the luxury of having a partner who also works..or even as great of inlaws as I have. They help us out sometimes when we need it. I've just been trying to save up as much money as I can before I go on leave in January. No paid medical leave, dang it.

shinyspade · August 2015

I feel like an old lady already! I work part time and also go to college/have an unpaid college placement. All in all between both I work 5 days a week. My placent is very demanding, I'm on my feet all day and it's very physical. Work is easier but very tiring. If that was all I had to do that would be ok, but on top of that I have essays, exams, reports, experience to log, coursework to hand in... And they are pretty much non stop with no break. I already feel like I am struggling physically and mentally but I plan to keep it up until the end of December. Luckily in the UK we get quite a lot of maternity leave, so I get to spend loads of time when LO gets here!

keshakdavis · August 2015

I can't cut my hours to part time because there is no part time option at my work but I do plan to take my 4 weeks of maternity leave before delivering. I just don't see myself being 36 pregnant with twins, huge, and doing all of the things I do now at work and being able to manage. Would I like to stop working now? Heck yeah, but we are saving so that when I do deliver I can stay home full time. I will not be returning to work after I have the babies because daycare times two....might as well stay home. My job is in social services which is extremely stressful so whenever I can start my maternity leave believe me I will. CA gives us that.

macattack15 · August 2015

I work full time, I'm 21 weeks in the health care field, planning on leaving in another 5-6 weeks. it's getting so hard

dc072175 · August 2015

I own my business so it's tough to be away for an extended period. I have a good mix of sitting and on my feet so that's good. I also commute an hour each way, which definitely makes for long days and like everyone else, I'm already tired all day! That said I feel like even if I could be off before l have him, the time will go faster if I'm at work than if I'm sitting at home waiting for labor!

juneandboo · August 2015

I'm self employed and run a music biz that typically involves 50ish hours a week of work in my end. 4 part time staff whose scheduled I manage as well. I'll be cutting back in Nov to handle less clients (1 on 1, high energy and typically non stop for 5-6 hours), transfer these clients to other staff, and shift my role to more administrative/marketing focused. It's a huge huge transition and already have some clients tripping out about it (as though I should feel guilty for having a baby...?) but think it's actually going to be awesome in the long run in terms of growing the business. Downside? No real time off, though I will get to work from home dec-March with no 'set' schedule. No benefits or paid time off being self employed either. Boo:/

Sahara26 · August 2015

I'm a teacher, so I can't shorten my days or take a day once/twice a week. So I will be working full time up until I go into labor, unless there is a medical necessity like bed rest. I know a couple teachers who have started maternity leave early, but I would just rather have that time after the baby is born.

BabyRut2015 · August 2015

Unfortunately I do not get any paid leave. However, I planned on this prior to getting pregnant, so I have money saved up to be able to take a few months off.

Fortunately for me though, the upside to this is that I have huge flexibility in what I work/cutting back hours, and how long I take off.

I work a physically demanding job, on my feet for 8 hour stretches. So I have no "plans" to cut back yet, but I imagine there will come a point where it may be too much physically, and I will probably try to just cut a shift or two out until leave. I work 5 shifts now at almost 40 hours a week, after baby I will be doing 3 shifts a week, it will be about 20-25 hrs.

Interesting to see everyone's plans though.

ellaxo1 · August 2015

jrouge12 said:
I'm working full time until my contractions are five minutes apart and regular. Why waste my maternity leave when baby is still doing back flips in the pool. I will be doing more sitting at work towards the end.

I do consider myself luckier than others, I am a teacher so I already have a little over a week off at Christmas built in to rest and really nest before going back to work in January and waiting out my due date. I like how colleagues at work are saying how lucky I am to have a "vacation" in January! Ummm...I'll be adjusting to life with my newborn not sipping margaritas on the beach.

I just love those comments about taking a "vacation". One of the girls I work with can't get pregnant she had tried for a few years and nothing has worked. I love her and feel horrible, however she said to me the other day that she feels like she should just "six or eight weeks off to travel and stuff" since she can't have kids and will never have a maternity leave. Ha yes that's how I will be spending my maternity leave as a FTM its not about relaxing it's about recovery and bonding with my child thanks.

karynste19 · August 2015

I'm planning on working straight up until the baby is ready to make an appearance. Obviously that would change if my Dr tells me I can't but all signs have been healthy. It'll keep me sane. If I transitioned to part time I would have too much time to think and panic.

That said, I really really enjoy my job. So I'm probably in a different situation than many bc I truly enjoy going to work. I'm an add ball I guess.

xomeredith · August 2015

I'll be working right up until I go into labor. My job would probably have a fit if I even joked about cutting back hours. The only way I would cut back hours is if my OB told me it was medically necessary.

We had a girl at work who was in labor and having contractions and still at work. I work for a doctors office and it'll be flu season so there's no room for me cutting back hours.

sydneysummer · August 2015

I work 8 hr shifts but have to take call which could end of up 24 hrs shifts. I'm a nurse in operating room, so on my feet majority of time. I plan on working till I can't medically but my ob just last week took me off call. After working a 18 hr shift, we agreed that was healthy during pregnancy.

maureenmce · August 2015

I have no idea! It's actually a little bit stressful right now because I work freelance in television post production and I won't know my end date for my current show for another month or two. It could be Thanksgiving, in which case I'd actually look for another short term project and try to work right up until my Jan 31 due date. Or, my favorite option, I could be done at Christmas, in which case I'd just probably take the month off. Or, the project I'm on could push until end of January and I'll work right up until my due date. So... I have no idea and I probably won't have a clue until Nov 1st or so. Sigh.

However, I'm very lucky that my current commute is only 5-10 minutes at least, and everyone knows I'm pregnant, so if I have to leave early due to complications or early delivery, that's totally fine and I don't have to stress about it negatively impacting my career or anything. Also, my job is seated and not crazy stressful like my last show, so either way it'll be fine, even if I have to work until the day I deliver.

Anyway, I'm trying not to stress about not knowing when I'll be done with work, since there's nothing I can do about it in the freelance world, but I do wish I knew!

Hrc724 · August 2015

I'm working full time until I go into labor.

mrhargr · August 2015

I plan on working until I go into labor or my doctor makes me stop. I'm a veterinarian and pretty much on my feet all day. I'm sure as I go along I will be finding ways to sit more but there are some surgeries that I just can't do sitting. It is just me and my boss as doctors in our clinic and if I tried to cut back my hours it would really burden him.

mommiesandbabies · August 2015

I'm planning to work until the end, but will probably take off the week of Christmas. I work for a university and it's so slow anyway. I'm due at the end of Jan but am having twins and will likely deliver in Early January anyway. I can't cut back in a legit way (I have an 8-430 desk job anyway, with an hour commute, so really my complaint is too much sitting). I have stopped working out though as I am just too tired.

khf221979 · August 2015

I plan on working until I go into labor. I want to save all my time for the baby. I work from home so no commute and I work at a desk all day so I guess I have no complaints and no real reason to leave early or cut back hours. I do still have sick time I can take if I need a day off here and there.

failuretofly · August 2015

This post makes me sad for everyone and very grateful for my work situation and living in Canada. I have 300+ sick hours banked and plan to use them to cut my hours near the end from 12 hour shifts to 8s then maybe eventually 4s and probably taking a week or two off at the end before my due date. I'm not really concerned about starting Mat leave early as we get a full year in Canada paid 50%, plus hubs is a workaholic and makes more than enough to support us.

fishee333 · August 2015

I own my own business (therapist in a private practice... Anyone else??), so it's really hard to take time off because I don't get paid for time off and its important for me to be there and be consistent for my clients. However, I at least get to be flexible since I'm my own boss. For now, I'm planning on working until I go into labor, and I'm thinking about taking 6-8 weeks once she's born. This is my first baby though, so I have no idea how realistic my plan is. On the plus side, I really love my work and can see myself looking forward to going back after the baby. My hours are somewhat flexible too and I'll be able to nurse at my office. I could use still use some advice though!

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