Maternity leave...is it too soon?

LSchull · September 2015

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed at work, losing focus and just truly a lack of attention or caring...my boss knows the baby is due in 2 weeks and I think he understands where I'm coming from. Every little thing is setting me off, and I really don't want to snap on someone because of my hormones. SO the question is...with 2 weeks left till my due date is it to early to just start my leave?

LLynde5 · September 2015

Nope not too early, lot of people start well before two weeks:)

LSchull · September 2015

LLynde5 said:

Nope not too early, lot of people start well before two weeks:)

i just promised my job i'd stay up until I deliever, but i'm realizing more and more I don't think I can, or want too.

VioletandRose · September 2015

I also promised my job I'd stay until I deliver (more like that is the policy), but I can't do it. I am so uncomfortable and getting around is really hard. My last day is this Friday, 12 days before my due date.

perrysaurus · September 2015

It's completely up to you, being a FTM it's easy in the beginning to say you'll stay until you deliver, but you know what, things change. You have never had to work until you deliver. I left work one week before EDD and it was perfect for me! I bet I will go late though

.

Your job will understand if your mind has changed.

To consider, will this take from the leave time with your LO, for instance starting early wil you then have to return sooner? You may want to push through to secure more time with your LO at home.

redpandapop · September 2015

I officially start mine on the 6th which is about a weeks before my due date. I'm ready now!!

cbolton19 · September 2015

I'm pushing through until I go into labor. If I take any time off before it will cut into the time I will have with the baby. As uncomfortable and hard as it is getting, I want as much time with the baby as possible.

LSchull · September 2015

cbolton19 said:

I'm pushing through until I go into labor. If I take any time off before it will cut into the time I will have with the baby. As uncomfortable and hard as it is getting, I want as much time with the baby as possible.

That's how I am trying to be, but I just don't think I can make it. I am completely miserable.

Jadler22 · September 2015

I took off starting two weeks before and I'm so happy I did! I still have 6 days to go but this quiet peaceful time has been amazing. I have been able to meet up with other moms, and get things ready at my house. Don't feel bad about taking the time! You deserve it!! Feel good!

MrsL32 · September 2015

I'm having an RCS a week from today, and I can tell this is going to be a painfully long, dragging week. Unfortunately if I take time beforehand, it cuts into my time with baby, and I know that in the long run, I want as much time with her as possible. But there is SO much I can think of that I could be getting done at home!

cbolton19 · September 2015

LSchull said:

cbolton19 said:

I'm pushing through until I go into labor. If I take any time off before it will cut into the time I will have with the baby. As uncomfortable and hard as it is getting, I want as much time with the baby as possible.

That's how I am trying to be, but I just don't think I can make it. I am completely miserable.

Yeah. It is hard. I hadn't really anticipated how hard it would be. I am definitely not focusing as well at work as I should be.... Oi. At least I am trying?! Ha ha

How much longer do you have until your due date?

bhibbitts · September 2015

This is exactly why I got on here today. I'm due around Halloween and I put in my leave on the 26th, but I am so tired and ready to be off. Also, trying to sleep is very hard I'll get comfortable and then wake up in pain or have to pee, so im dragging at work.I am having a hard time focusing also, but I don't want to leave too early because money wise I really can't. I want to take off 8-9 weeks after he is born so, I'm trying to work as long as I can and save up money also. I really want to take my time off all the way through Christmas, so that's why I am pushing it.

maiatene · September 2015

With my first I stopped working 2 weeks before my due date and with this one I plan to stop 1 week prior bc I've been working from home since July. I thought I could handle it bc i was home but I'm just as uncomfortable, unfocused and tired as I would be at work. It's really hard being pregnant lol

babyvelasquez2015 · September 2015

I thought I would leave 2 weeks before my due date... Then my work started to decline (not like me) my body wouldn't allow me to keep up and I was exhausted and overwhelmed. My HR was so sweet she told me to go whenever I wanted and I left unexpectedly. I am a manager but they already knew I'd be leaving soon until January and were prepared for it. So I went out 4 weeks before my due date. So glad I did because once I hit 38 weeks I don't even have the energy to nest!

millette2015 · September 2015

I think it depends on how much time your mat leave is going to be. It's different for everyone. Do what you think you can handle. I am off for a month before my delivery date, but mat leave where I am lasts a year. If I was living in a place where it was 3 months, I'd probably make a different decision.
Do what is best for you, based on what you can handle, what your baby needs, and your plans for after the baby comes. All of our situations are very different.

jham201 · September 2015

I started my mat leave a month before her due date. although not entirely by choice. I was supposed to work one more week. It has been too much lately and I had a string of bad luck health-wise in the past 3 weeks or so. My husband and I (with the support of our OB) decided that this was the best course of action for us under these circumstances.

I think the main thing is to listen to your body. I was not 100% on board with starting my leave early because I wanted to be able to wrap some things up and was afraid of how it would look to my colleagues, Each person is different and you need to do what is best for you and your baby.

LSchull · September 2015

cbolton19 said:

cbolton19 said:

I'm pushing through until I go into labor. If I take any time off before it will cut into the time I will have with the baby. As uncomfortable and hard as it is getting, I want as much time with the baby as possible.

That's how I am trying to be, but I just don't think I can make it. I am completely miserable.

Yeah. It is hard. I hadn't really anticipated how hard it would be. I am definitely not focusing as well at work as I should be.... Oi. At least I am trying?! Ha ha How much longer do you have until your due date?

Friday will be 38 weeks it feels like so long!

LSchull · September 2015

bhibbitts said:

This is exactly why I got on here today. I'm due around Halloween and I put in my leave on the 26th, but I am so tired and ready to be off. Also, trying to sleep is very hard I'll get comfortable and then wake up in pain or have to pee, so im dragging at work.I am having a hard time focusing also, but I don't want to leave too early because money wise I really can't. I want to take off 8-9 weeks after he is born so, I'm trying to work as long as I can and save up money also. I really want to take my time off all the way through Christmas, so that's why I am pushing it.

I think thats ultimately my issue too. I just can't sleep than it seems like once I get to sleep I have to pee or im uncomfortable. Than when I get to work its just frustrating. I have no attention for what my tasks are, no energy and very short tempered.

leah665 · September 2015

I'm taking off a week in advance and I wish it was more, but I know we could use the income. So I'm powering through.

LSchull · September 2015

JessicaHam201 said:

I started my mat leave a month before her due date. although not entirely by choice. I was supposed to work one more week. It has been too much lately and I had a string of bad luck health-wise in the past 3 weeks or so. My husband and I (with the support of our OB) decided that this was the best course of action for us under these circumstances.

I think the main thing is to listen to your body. I was not 100% on board with starting my leave early because I wanted to be able to wrap some things up and was afraid of how it would look to my colleagues, Each person is different and you need to do what is best for you and your baby

For my job, there are three of us in my department, so leaving them to early would put A LOT on the other two. Although my manager is FULLY on board with me starting when I need to, I have a feeling they won't feel the same way. Technically I have 12 weeks, 6-8 paid, and the other 4-6 unpaid. Im just getting to the point where work makes me miserable and coming in makes me hate life.

cbolton19 · September 2015

LSchull said:

cbolton19 said:

LSchull said:

cbolton19 said:

I'm pushing through until I go into labor. If I take any time off before it will cut into the time I will have with the baby. As uncomfortable and hard as it is getting, I want as much time with the baby as possible.

That's how I am trying to be, but I just don't think I can make it. I am completely miserable.

Yeah. It is hard. I hadn't really anticipated how hard it would be. I am definitely not focusing as well at work as I should be.... Oi. At least I am trying?! Ha ha

How much longer do you have until your due date?

Friday will be 38 weeks it feels like so long!

I feel you. I'm 36 weeks on Friday. I saw your other comment too about your leave. I have the same situation. That makes it even harder to decide what to do. Good luck!! I hope something works out!

VioletandRose · September 2015

For those of you worried about cutting into your time with the baby, check with your employer. You may be able to begin disability early, if the doctor indicates that it is medically necessary. That is how it worked for me. It wasn't easy getting everyone (the doctor & my employer) on the same page – it took a lot of coercing on my part, but they are allowing me to to start disability at 38.5 weeks because I literally cannot do it anymore, I'm in so much pain. But by working it this way it won't come out of my time with the baby, and I'm grateful.

dchiapella · September 2015

This is me, too, @leah665. If it were up to me I would have stopped about a month ago, haha. But a week in advance will have to do. At least I'm mostly working from home this week!

edavis926 · September 2015

We had a lot of things happen at work in the last 6 weeks that made it way more stressful than normal so we decided that my last day would be Friday (due on the 15th). I've been too tired and such to get anything done at home or relax at all. I don't have a medical reason for my doctor to pull me even though she was supportive so I'm just taking vacation and unpaid leave until I deliver and STD kicks in.

MamaBear345 · September 2015

I'm starting my maternity leave at 39 weeks. (So this is my last week) My mother keeps telling me that I need to go until I deliver so that I can have the extra week with baby, and I keep telling her she's not the one miserable everyday! Plus I deserve to sleep in a few days before I can't anymore!;)

jessrl · September 2015

I've been planning on going until I deliver, but I'm just exhausted and now I have an awful infection on my foot which is making me feel even more miserable. It doesn't help that none of my shoes fit because my feet are so swollen. I've decided I'm stopping at my due date which gives me a week and a half left (unless she comes early of course). My husband thinks I should stop now, but I can't bring myself to. I feel like if I start leave early she'll end up coming two weeks late.

chereelh · September 2015

Friday is my last day of work, two weeks before my due date and I couldn't be more happier! I have been waiting for this day forever and I can't wait to take some time off!!! Absolutely 100% do this if you're miserable. Why fight it? I can't even imagine doing one more week. I am so excited for baby and to have some time off before baby is going to be nice! Can't wait, don't fee guilty, treasure time off from the daily grind of work. Blah.

MamaOwl15 · September 2015

When my son was born, I had planned to go out a week before my due date, hoping he'd show up on time if not a couple days early. I ended up working until the day before I delivered because I had an emergency c-section due to pre-e.

In hindsight, I think that extra week at home would have worked out just fine, because by the time I went back to work at 12 weeks, I was ready. I actually missed work!

I'm a SAHM this time, and my RCS is scheduled for this Friday. I can't imagine trying to get through work this week. I've barely left the couch (and I have a 2 year old!).

I'd stay as long as you can handle it to maximize your time with baby at home (FTMs can go up to 10 days past their due date so consider that), but if you need to start your leave a week or so early, go for it.

j14fsr · October 2015

I started maternity leave 4 weeks ago and I'm not due until another 3 weeks.. But I had 4 weeks of holidays to take so that's why Iv had 7 weeks

LSchull · October 2015

hobo920 said:

I've been planning on going until I deliver, but I'm just exhausted and now I have an awful infection on my foot which is making me feel even more miserable. It doesn't help that none of my shoes fit because my feet are so swollen. I've decided I'm stopping at my due date which gives me a week and a half left (unless she comes early of course). My husband thinks I should stop now, but I can't bring myself to. I feel like if I start leave early she'll end up coming two weeks late.

That's my worry! Is if I start my leave early than he'll come late..and I absolutely want as much time as possible!

whitemn04 · October 2015

There are 3 of us in my department. We actually start the new schedule next week so there is coverage for when I'm gone. I will just work my shifts until it's baby time. I'm already taking two weeks beyond what disability will pay so I can't really afford to take time before. And of course disability doesn't kick in until the 8th day so I have 3 vacation days to use to cover that first week. The only way I will be able to go on leave early is if the doc says it's necessary. Until then I will just push through working two jobs.

axoseraph · October 2015

I've been out for a week and have a week left till baby comes. I was worried at first but having these days to relax and run small errands has been great.

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