When are you starting maternity leave?

kaitielynnrichardson · May 2016

I am just curious when everyone is planning on starting their maternity leave? I was planning on working up until my due date, but it is getting hard to get up and going early in the mornings, and sitting in the office has become increasingly uncomfortable. I have the option to work from home, which I likely will do once I hit 37 weeks, I just don't want it to seem like I am "taking advantage"...

meggyme · May 2016

My situation is a little different since I live in CA. We're allowed to take from 36 weeks off as pregnancy disability, so it doesn't affect your time with baby. I'm taking off at 37 weeks. Although my level of motivation is dropping quickly as that date approaches.

NLewis1 · May 2016

Until this baby decides to come. I worked up until I had my son last time as well, went to work all day Thursday, had him Friday.

I only get 6 weeks paid leave and I don't want to waste any of that sitting at home sans baby. Though I probably could work from home, I hate working on my laptop, it's such a pain! Plus I would still have to get up and take DS to daycare so I would be up and going anyway and I don't see the difference between sitting at home or sitting in my office. Plus, at least at work I get to be social.

But ive also had two very very easy pregnancies and I'm very active anyway.

Lyette1206 · May 2016

I am also planning on working up until the Friday before my due date (the following Tuesday). I'm in Canada, so I get a year leave, but I'm sharing some with my husband and I don't want to have to go back too early (obviously, compared to some of you American mamas, that's relative), because childcare for infants is so expensive where I live.
But I'm also starting to drag at work (35+1) and wish I could take time off before.

newbabymakes4 · May 2016

My office encourages us to start our leave at 38 weeks (we get 6-8 weeks post-delivery depending on type of delivery, we can't add the two weeks onto the end, so it's like 2 weeks of free vacation time). So.... one week from today.

ahernandez16 · May 2016

Also in CA. We can start at 36 weeks and still get 6 weeks after baby. The only downside is the 40% pay cut when you go on disability.

So I plan on working through this next pay period which ends on the 1st and since that's a Wednesday I figure I might as well just finish out the week. So I'll start my leave on the 6th which is 6 days from my due date. Unless I go earlier, obviously. I was also going to work until I went into labor but I need a break.

jschlaud · May 2016

I plan on working up until this baby arrives because $$$. I'm starting to mentally check out at work, but we are getting to slow time around here so whatever. :-)

splsmama2016 · May 2016

I'm also in California but I don't get squat as far as disability or maternity leave, since I'm an independent contractor. I AM however promised my coaching job back when I start working again. I had to stop teaching back in March because I couldn't tie my ice skates anymore, and I was getting very unstable on the ice. I also work with mainly 3-6 year olds learning to skate so I was constantly sitting down on the ice with them and bending over to pick them up. My dr pulled me off the ice once he realized exactly what I do. I also sew from home and make some income that way, but I no longer fit comfortably behind my machines, and my back goes out within 10-15 minutes.

MistKeeper · May 2016

Next week 36w, but I don't actually get maternity leave. I teach at a community college, and that's just the end of the semester. I'm not teaching during the summer session, so my maternity leave starts when the semester ends. Convenient timing, but no pay.

jbailey213 · May 2016

I started my leave yesterday at 37 weeks and 2 days. I worked a half day and called it around 1pm. I wanted to work up until the last moment but I've been having painful, irregular contractions for a few days so I decided to wave the white flag and stop working. I am scheduled for a csection on Thursday (tomorrow- 37.4 weeks) due to health concerns with my gestational hypertension, so I guess I only went a day and a half earlier than I was hoping to.

mrsp2213 · May 2016

I am working in the office 1 day past my due date. Due on a Thursday so I figured I'd finish out the week. After that point I'll be working from home until I go into labor, so I will be working up until she's here, but will at least have the flexibility to work remotely after a certain point.

But yes, going to work at this point is wicked hard and not fun at all. I consider the fact that I wake up five days a week, shower, do my hair and put on makeup to be a tremendous daily accomplishment.

xc1148 · May 2016

I get two weeks before my due date, so i'll stop at 38 weeks. I'm also going to use a lot of vacation days in June, I want to maximize my time with my daughter before she has a sibling. Plus my parents pool is opening soon ;-)

Diesel615 · May 2016

I'm trying to last til I give birth, I just had my hours reduced so hopefully that helps get me to the end, but I'm sooo uncomfortable and hurting so I have no idea if I can last that much longer.

mamabird24 · May 2016

My part time job, outside the house is pretty much just one day a week now for 4 hours so I'll probably keep going until I go into labor, then I'm just quitting (they already know that) I'm also a nanny and will get one week off from that before the kids start coming over again. So, no maternity leave for me really lol my H will be off that first week with me and then work from home for awhile before going back to the office so I'll have some help, but it's going to be interesting caring for a newborn with 4 other kids at home.

NLewis1 · May 2016

mamabird24 said:

My part time job, outside the house is pretty much just one day a week now for 4 hours so I'll probably keep going until I go into labor, then I'm just quitting (they already know that) I'm also a nanny and will get one week off from that before the kids start coming over again. So, no maternity leave for me really lol my H will be off that first week with me and then work from home for awhile before going back to the office so I'll have some help, but it's going to be interesting caring for a newborn with 4 other kids at home.

Better invest in a dang good wrap or two!

Diesel615 · May 2016

NLewis1 said:

mamabird24 said:

My part time job, outside the house is pretty much just one day a week now for 4 hours so I'll probably keep going until I go into labor, then I'm just quitting (they already know that) I'm also a nanny and will get one week off from that before the kids start coming over again. So, no maternity leave for me really lol my H will be off that first week with me and then work from home for awhile before going back to the office so I'll have some help, but it's going to be interesting caring for a newborn with 4 other kids at home.

Better invest in a dang good wrap or two!

I was going to say, better invest in some tissues....cause I would be crying if I had to watch a newborn and someone else's kids a week after giving birth!

Alanna999 · May 2016

My last day of work is next Friday, at which point I'll be 37.5 weeks. Then I'll take 3 weeks of vacation before beginning my mat leave.

lalavg · May 2016

Live in CA

i already started my
leave Monday. Taking 4 week before and then my 12 weeks after. You actually get paid 55% pre tax paid so that's cool.

lalavg · May 2016

@ahernandez16 just wanted to let you know that the pay is actually 55% pre tax so you almost get the same pay as if you would be working. It would be sad to miss out on the leave cuse there is a 7 day waiting period non paid and you don't get to take that time after. Also you can apply for pfl right after disability which gives you another 6 weeks also paid around 55% but after tax.

knw007 · May 2016

I am working from home until I am induced on Sunday at 37 weeks 2 days. After that I will be on leave for 12 weeks which 10.5 weeks of that will be paid since I have saved my time up.

lolonvive · May 2016

I'm 36+5 now and starting to work from home following Memorial weekend, so almost 2 weeks before my due date. That will not count against my maternity leave, and I'll work up until the baby comes.

goldie987 · May 2016

I've been slowly transitioning off of bench work and moving over to all computer based reading and writing. I plan to stay as long as I can but the only person who's progress is being impeded by me going on leave is me so I don't need to give a whole lot of notice. I'm just playing it by ear between now and then.

kaitielynnrichardson · May 2016

ahh thanks for all the feedback!! It's nice to know my idea of taking off around 37 weeks seems pretty normal.

alileecam · May 2016

I started working from home back in December, but that had more to do with job changes than my pregnancy. It's been really convenient though!
Since I work for myself now, I don't really get any maternity leave. I have someone who works for me that will cover from the point I go into the hospital until whenever I can take back over. At one point, I thought that would be 2-3 weeks, but since it's been so busy (and I am a control freak), now I think it'll only be a few days. Whether or not this is realistic AT ALL... I guess we will see.

KRuthie25 · May 2016

I'm 37+3 and am working up until labor starts since I only get 6 weeks regardless if it starts before or after baby comes. I could easily work from home but it's frowned upon. However, I have used a few sick days in the past two weeks on days where I've had killer irregular contractions or pelvic pain. Jealous of all the moms that get time off before labor starts!

AmberLiz99 · May 2016

I work from home and it's all just how many hours I put in. No maternity leave for me! I'll be working as many hours as I can before and after baby.

vintagevix2016 · May 2016

May 31st is my last day of work before mat. leave. It's getting harder to go in though. Between heartburn, surprise diarrhea, and fatigue...the office is the last place I want to be. I've been training my temp since the beginning of April so hopefully the transition is smooth.

I was feeling nauseous this morning so I took the day off to relax...plus, more diarrhea. Anyone esle dealing with that, by the way?

kaitielynnrichardson · May 2016

@vintagevix86 I keep trying to talk to my boss about a transition plan for when I am out... he just keeps saying "we have time".... I guess 29 days isn't soon enough. eek!

jbailey213 · May 2016

vintagevix86 said:

May 31st is my last day of work before mat. leave. It's getting harder to go in though. Between heartburn, surprise diarrhea, and fatigue...the office is the last place I want to be. I've been training my temp since the beginning of April so hopefully the transition is smooth.

I was feeling nauseous this morning so I took the day off to relax...plus, more diarrhea. Anyone esle dealing with that, by the way?

Yes, me! Especially the last few weeks. Increased nausea and random bouts of diarrhea. Its awful.

karicontreras82 · May 2016

I'm due June 8th and plan on working until Friday, June 3rd (unless baby comes sooner). We get 15 weeks paid off work for maternity leave, which starts the day I have the baby. So any time I take before the baby will just come out of the vacation / personal time, which I have a ton of, thankfully.

vintagevix2016 · May 2016

@jbailey213, mine started up about a week or two ago as well. My husband thinks my body is just clearing out my system in preparation for the big day. All I know is that it sucks!

@kaitielynnrichardson, wow he really is cutting it close! Hopefully when it hits him that time is up, he doesn't throw that stress onto you.

SMLmom · May 2016

I was going to leave at 39 weeks... Now going to leave at 37 (just over 2 more to go!). I can't imagine working a day past that right now.

alitria · May 2016

jbailey213 said:

vintagevix86 said:

May 31st is my last day of work before mat. leave. It's getting harder to go in though. Between heartburn, surprise diarrhea, and fatigue...the office is the last place I want to be. I've been training my temp since the beginning of April so hopefully the transition is smooth.

I was feeling nauseous this morning so I took the day off to relax...plus, more diarrhea. Anyone esle dealing with that, by the way?

Yes, me! Especially the last few weeks. Increased nausea and random bouts of diarrhea. Its awful.

Oh good, it's not just me. I mean, sorry ladies, but also glad it's not just me.

Our last day of school is June 14, so I am desperate to make it to the end of the year. My due date is June 28 but my son was born at 34 weeks and I'm doing progesterone shots to try to prevent labor. I go every Thursday and every Tuesday/Wednesday I start feeling contractions and cramping which get worse until I get my shot each week. Then they settle back down again. I was scheduled to get my last shot 5/26 @ 35w2d but I just asked (and it looks like she will) her to approve one more on 6/2 at 36w2d to try and limp through the rest of the year. If I take any leave before the end of school it really would change things for how I planned my unpaid leave this fall which is planned down to the day based on when we can get this baby into childcare. The waiting lists around here are pretty out of control so I'm just crossing my fingers (and legs) that I can have this baby on or after June 15th! I'm uncomfortable for very lucky that my building staff knows the situation and is being really great about accommodating me.

alysemci · May 2016

I'm currently buying a gym and manage a construction company so I'm never really stopping or starting mat leave. That being said I can work from my bed with a laptop. The schedule is super flexible and I can bring my kids anywhere I have to go since I'm my own boss

mamabird24 · May 2016

Diesel615 said:

NLewis1 said:

mamabird24 said:

My part time job, outside the house is pretty much just one day a week now for 4 hours so I'll probably keep going until I go into labor, then I'm just quitting (they already know that) I'm also a nanny and will get one week off from that before the kids start coming over again. So, no maternity leave for me really lol my H will be off that first week with me and then work from home for awhile before going back to the office so I'll have some help, but it's going to be interesting caring for a newborn with 4 other kids at home.

Better invest in a dang good wrap or two!

I was going to say, better invest in some tissues....cause I would be crying if I had to watch a newborn and someone else's kids a week after giving birth!

Haha, yeah it's gonna be tough for awhile, but my 6 year old will be out of school for the summer and she's a big help with the younger kids. I honestly want to stop watching them all together (not gonna lie, they annoy me lol) but we need the money right now and their parents have no one else to watch them, other than a day care which would cost at least twice what I charge them. So I'll tough it out, if I can, and hope for the best.

ahernandez16 · May 2016

Liesvg said:

@ahernandez16 just wanted to let you know that the pay is actually 55% pre tax so you almost get the same pay as if you would be working. It would be sad to miss out on the leave cuse there is a 7 day waiting period non paid and you don't get to take that time after. Also you can apply for pfl right after disability which gives you another 6 weeks also paid around 55% but after tax.

Oh thanks for the info! I wasn't aware it was 55% pretax... I haven't looked into it much. H will be taking a month off completely unpaid so I was really worried about how quickly our savings account was going to diminish.

meggyme · May 2016

ahernandez16 said:

Liesvg said:

@ahernandez16 just wanted to let you know that the pay is actually 55% pre tax so you almost get the same pay as if you would be working. It would be sad to miss out on the leave cuse there is a 7 day waiting period non paid and you don't get to take that time after. Also you can apply for pfl right after disability which gives you another 6 weeks also paid around 55% but after tax.

Oh thanks for the info! I wasn't aware it was 55% pretax... I haven't looked into it much. H will be taking a month off completely unpaid so I was really worried about how quickly our savings account was going to diminish.

Check with YH's HR dept, but he may be eligible for child bonding leave if he's paying into CA SDI.

NicknShan · May 2016

I get no paid leave. So, I have my RCS scheduled for 6/1. I plan on working through 5/31. Cuz, $$. And, we get holiday pay for Memorial Day, and I might as well take it, right?

ahernandez16 · May 2016

meggyme said:

ahernandez16 said:

Liesvg said:

@ahernandez16 just wanted to let you know that the pay is actually 55% pre tax so you almost get the same pay as if you would be working. It would be sad to miss out on the leave cuse there is a 7 day waiting period non paid and you don't get to take that time after. Also you can apply for pfl right after disability which gives you another 6 weeks also paid around 55% but after tax.

Oh thanks for the info! I wasn't aware it was 55% pretax... I haven't looked into it much. H will be taking a month off completely unpaid so I was really worried about how quickly our savings account was going to diminish.

Check with YH's HR dept, but he may be eligible for child bonding leave if he's paying into CA SDI.

Yeah I'm looking online and I don't see why he wouldn't qualify for PFL instead of taking a leave of absence.... as far as I can tell there is no amount of time he'd have to be working for a company to qualify.

Tawny87 · May 2016

I went on leave at exactly 35 weeks. I work as a server and had been working a few days a week. I'm planning on going back in August.

meggyme · May 2016

ahernandez16 said:

meggyme said:

ahernandez16 said:

Liesvg said:

@ahernandez16 just wanted to let you know that the pay is actually 55% pre tax so you almost get the same pay as if you would be working. It would be sad to miss out on the leave cuse there is a 7 day waiting period non paid and you don't get to take that time after. Also you can apply for pfl right after disability which gives you another 6 weeks also paid around 55% but after tax.

Oh thanks for the info! I wasn't aware it was 55% pretax... I haven't looked into it much. H will be taking a month off completely unpaid so I was really worried about how quickly our savings account was going to diminish.

Check with YH's HR dept, but he may be eligible for child bonding leave if he's paying into CA SDI.

Yeah I'm looking online and I don't see why he wouldn't qualify for PFL instead of taking a leave of absence.... as far as I can tell there is no amount of time he'd have to be working for a company to qualify.

At least then he won't be completely unpaid.

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When are you starting maternity leave?

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