Starting Maternity Leave

brittanispears · September 2015

Have any of you ladies started your leave yet? If so, what's on your to-do list?

Today is my last day in the office and I'm STOKED! Everyone seems a little disappointed I'll be out until mid-January but I couldn't care less. LOL. I still have to wash baby girl's clothes, pack my hospital bag, and get a jump on freezer meals.

trishee13 · September 2015

Today was my last day too! My boss was begging me to come in next week.. Nope! I just have to put my car seat in which I'll do next week.

feeohhnaax7 · September 2015

Yesterday was my last day! I didn't get as much done today as I wanted to, but as long as he stays in there until my due date, I'll have almost 5 weeks to get everything done (although I'd like to get in all done in 2 weeks). I have to wash all of his clothes, pack my hospital bag, make my freezer meals, and clean/organize everything in my house!

perrysaurus · September 2015

8 more shifts left!

Need to do a big grocery trip & car seat install!

jegoffin · September 2015

My last day will be October 8, 3 days before my due date. I only work 3 days per week though.

Mom2b100915 · September 2015

Ugh. I'm due 10/4 and am second guessing telling my boss I'd work up until 10/1! I still have some things to get done around the house for baby. But mostly I'm so busy tying up so many loose ends at work, I don't have time for anything else.

beanie1977 · September 2015

I'm down to super part time. Maybe 10 hours a week at most, from home.

I have tons to do too! Setting up the entire nursery, doing his laundry, making freezer meals, we have two baby showers and 2 weekend baby classes. It will be a busy 5 weeks!

pkfinnerty · September 2015

I'm working until I go into labor... literally!
I told my coworkers today (jokingly) if my water breaks, one of you is going to have to clean it up, because I'm not staying a minute longer!

brittanispears · September 2015

trishee13 said:
Today was my last day too! My boss was begging me to come in next week.. Nope! I just have to put my car seat in which I'll do next week.

Are you having hospital staff install it?

trishee13 · September 2015

@brittanispears no they don't have anyone to do it at my hospital. My parents are police officers so a few of their friends are certified, so one of them is gonna come to my house and go over it with us

vamomtobe · September 2015

I'm starting maternity leave once my daughter's actually here, but my commute is kind of rough and I do not want to have my baby on the metro (even though my OB guarantees that won't happen ha) so I'm going to start teleworking maybe as early as next week. Can't wait!! I'll still be working, but it is soooooo much better to be at home, 5 minutes from the hospital, in comfy clothes.

brittanispears · September 2015

vamomtobe said:
I'm starting maternity leave once my daughter's actually here, but my commute is kind of rough and I do not want to have my baby on the metro (even though my OB guarantees that won't happen ha) so I'm going to start teleworking maybe as early as next week. Can't wait!! I'll still be working, but it is soooooo much better to be at home, 5 minutes from the hospital, in comfy clothes.

That's great you had that option! I couldn't imagine taking the metro, 9 months pregnant. My patience for people has worn very thin. Lol

margies2010 · September 2015

I'm working till I have the baby, but at my MFM visit yesterday, I found out that I may have baby on Monday. I'm treating each day like it is my last at work. It is the best feeling in the world!

LSchull · September 2015

Working up until the little man is here

I only have 8 weeks so I want to used it all with him! I have 5 weeks left, and just about everything finished up, just need a wash a few more clothes, and pack the hospital bags!

star8627 · September 2015

I'm working until the end. I would rather spend time with him when he's here.

gbead · September 2015

I'm working up until I have him! And then taking my leave after

Ljonas87 · September 2015

Well I work for my father at his pharmacy so the running joke so far is that my maternity leave won't start until I start screaming from contractions. But jokes on him, because he will have to drive my screaming butt all the way to the hospital 50 min away! Karma lol

orangeivy · September 2015

Was planning my maternity leave for the end of September, with 2 weeks of vay-cay until my maternity leave officially started.
Was just put on bed rest for kidney stones. So I guess my maternity leave has started early.
b-(

elmann1 · September 2015

vamomtobe said:

I'm starting maternity leave once my daughter's actually here, but my commute is kind of rough and I do not want to have my baby on the metro (even though my OB guarantees that won't happen ha) so I'm going to start teleworking maybe as early as next week. Can't wait!! I'll still be working, but it is soooooo much better to be at home, 5 minutes from the hospital, in comfy clothes.

Same- working until the very end but gosh im sorry you're still commuting! I stopped last month and thankfully we have a car that I've been using. Commuting is so hard, I hope you're feeling ok! soooo glad you'll be working from home soon!

Now I see why so many people ask me if i'm on maternity leave yet, but if I take it before she gets here, the way it works at my job, I get fewer weeks AFTERWARDS once she's already here

I so wish I could work from home!!

carmv01 · September 2015

I'm working from home starting 2 weeks before my due date (EDD 10/20). When he's actually here, I'll begin my leave. The arrangement I've worked out is: I get 2 full weeks of paid leave, then I will work from home when I can at full pay for the rest of the year. I'm sure I will take days off completely, check-in every now and then, get smaller work tasks done. It will be very flexible. My husband is able to work from home when needed as well, so that will be great.

Sometime in January when I'm ready to return, I'll be working 2 days from home, 3 days in the office. We're a very small company at a busy time and I'm a valuable resource, so I'm glad I can have this flexibility and not lose any income for the 3+ months.

BabyLackey · September 2015

pkfinnerty said:
I'm working until I go into labor... literally!
I told my coworkers today (jokingly) if my water breaks, one of you is going to have to clean it up, because I'm not staying a minute longer!

I am too! I work in the operating room and told one of the surgeons today that I hope my water breaks while I'm at work or in a case so all they'll have to do it wheel me up to labor and delivery and call my husband! lol
Fortunately I work with my ObGyn group as well, so if anything really does happen while I'm at work, I know I'm in good hands.
I don't want to waste any of my maternity leave before the baby comes. I plan to take all 12 weeks of leave.

tara133 · September 2015

I had planned to work until I had him, but I had go out starting today because of pain, contractions, and a physically demanding job. I work with toddlers and have one at home so I was never getting to rest and it did me in.

mjudson5 · September 2015

I haven't decided when to leave yet, but any day after Oct 1 works for me. I'll take paid sick leave until babe is born. I'm due 10/14. I get a year paid leave (Canada), but I just found out that I get topped up to 75% of my salary for 30 weeks not the 17 weeks I thought, so I'm pretty happy about that!
The to do list hasn't even been started, or written! We're still too busy enjoying summer! Maybe I'll get started after this weekend trip.

Blinkbaby · September 2015

orangeivy said:
Was planning my maternity leave for the end of September, with 2 weeks of vay-cay until my maternity leave officially started.
Was just put on bed rest for kidney stones. So I guess my maternity leave has started early.
b-(

I had the almost the exact same plan, not on bed rest yet, but with high blood pressure and other risks my dr had me start leave early. Little man is coming in 4 weeks and I'm using this time to get everything organized and cleaned and meal prep.

brittanispears · September 2015

orangeivy said:
Was planning my maternity leave for the end of September, with 2 weeks of vay-cay until my maternity leave officially started.
Was just put on bed rest for kidney stones. So I guess my maternity leave has started early.
b-(

Aww, I hope you feel better

yesipila · September 2015

Working as much as I can till delivery..

BlueTopazBride · September 2015

I'm working until the day I go into labor. I work an hour from home and even though people give me the side eye when I tell them, almost everyone has volunteered to help me get home if I can't drive.

senelly · September 2015

My last day is 10/1; 9 days before my due date(10/10). I'm hoping I'll make it sleeping is getting harder and standing all day is doing me in. Especially with a 5yr old at home. Wish you ladies luck...

EllioCor · September 2015

I'm not planning on leave until he's here! I would rather enjoy the time with my new little man than waiting for him to arrive. I have 2 1/2 weeks to EDD (October 1st), still hoping he comes at least 1 day late (currently my 12 weeks FMLA would go through xmas eve, a day late would go through xmas day).

I'm a waitress so there are no "intrical to operations" clauses that could cut my 12 weeks of FMLA short. I get part-time disability at half pay for whatever the doctor writes me out for (6-8 weeks @~$700/paycheck) and have 2 weeks of (full) paid vacation. I put away an extra $2000 on top of Est. Delivery cost to cushion bills for the 2-4 unpaid weeks although DH can afford the bills without me. DH will use FMLA/UNUM and his vacation time to spend 2 weeks with me after the little one arrives.

All the house projects are done, the room is ready, the clothes are washed, the pump is here, making freezer meals this week (chili and corn muffins), so all that's left is usual cleaning and bracing ourselves for our whole world to change.

*Full Disclosure: I've had a very "easy" pregnancy. It took ~2 weeks to get pregnant with a planned pregnancy, I had a lot of first tri nausea but no actual sickness, I had a six-pack to start with (now what I call a mini-keg) and am on my feet all day, so I carry very small and all of our numbers have been textbook perfect the whole time. The only remote concern is that where most women gain 25lbs I have gained 15, but baby seems a good size and I seem healthy so we're coasting with minimal discomfort and crossed fingers that everything just stays "so perfect it makes them paranoid". I can totally understand that we are VERY lucky and not everyone has the same experience.

Northstar1808 · September 2015

I was gonna work until the baby is here but my last day was Wednesday. Drs told me I can't go back bc they want to monitor my bp since I had a high reading and the next appt it was good but slightly elevated. I wanted to work until the baby was born so I didn't have to go back until the new year but that didn't happen.

jazzylaine89 · September 2015

pkfinnerty said:
I'm working until I go into labor... literally!
I told my coworkers today (jokingly) if my water breaks, one of you is going to have to clean it up, because I'm not staying a minute longer!

Same here! "My water breaks, make (male coworker I can't stand) clean it up, I'll be going out the door. Peace!"

BabyOIsComing · September 2015

My EDD is 10/3 so I'm planning on working until 10/2 or when the baby comes - whichever comes first. My (bizarre) colleagues are rooting for me to go into labor at work, but truthfully that wouldn't be the worst thing: it's easier to get to the hospital from work than home, one of my coworkers it's an EMT, my commute isn't too bad, and I'd probably just mope if i were home with nothing to do.

gorgeousdiamonds · September 2015

Yes me too last week like the only thing is I'm happy I'm leaving but I worked part time so like no money coming now I gotta depend on my hubby to provide for us but I still like my own money :-?

gorgeousdiamonds · September 2015

I was to but omg it got so hard being on my feet all day and trying to move around cause the baby is putting so much pressure on you down there..now it's harder doing a lot of traveling and moving around.So I had to go on leave early .i don't want to go in labor there at work

mlove71 · September 2015

I recently finished summer vacation but during that time developed gestational diabetes. It has taken alot from me physically and although I wanted to work one more month before I went on maternity leave I realized it would be too stressful on me and baby. Fortunately for me I'm able to use up my sick days until I give birth and then start my maternity leave. I live in Canada and we get one year maternity leave with pay.I'm missing the kids at school but I can't wait to meet my baby girl.

gerbies · September 2015

I had originally planned to work until I had the baby. My due date is 10/5, but I am being induced 9/28. I learned last week that my company will provide up to 2 weeks paid leave prior to the due date, but it requires a doctor's note. I now am thinking of talking with my doctor tomorrow about starting my leave next week. I am not quite sure how to ask for that? I have been a high-risk pregnancy due to age, prior preterm labor and high amniotic fluid. I am just not sleeping and having a VERY HARD time functioning at work. I can work from home, but it's the fatigue and mental stamina I feel challenged with. Is that terrible? How do I ask my doctor?

vamomtobe · September 2015

@brittanispears and @elmann1 - people are actually pretty good about offering seats on the metro, so it hasn't been THAT bad (aside from the "hot cars" w/ no ac, and the general stinkiness). But oh my god it feels good to be home today, with suddenly cool breezy weather and NO COMMUTE!!! aaaaaah.

margies2010 · September 2015

Well, I had planned to work through Friday of this week, with my rcs scheduled for 21st, but I unexpectedly started today due to high BP and pre-e scare. One week off before birth, then 11 weeks after, all paid at 100%. Can't beat that in the US.

(Sorry, I didn't mean it as a humble brag if it sounded that way to any of you, but I am very excited and quite scared/nervous about being on bedrest.)

shantyrae · September 2015

Lucky you!! It's true, that leave situtation doesn't come often in the US. @margies2010

fieldst25 · September 2015

I have just started reduced hours until my leave to days before due date 10/21... My office is def not happy, and that doesn't make for a happy work atmosphere for me. Especially while being a preggie. But def makes life easier with pay coming in until close to due date and breezing through my short days... Only 6 weeks paid leave for this momma

babyhansen15 · September 2015

My last day of work is September 25th, EDD is October 24th. Short term disability pre-baby, and maternity leave doesn't start until baby actually arrives, then I get 16 more weeks afterwards. I've done so much already that my husband keeps telling me I'm going to be bored once I stop working because I'll have nothing to do! I'm sure I'll find plenty of ways to occupy my days off, like lunch with friends, shopping, and binge-watching shows on Netflix lol!!

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