When Did You Stop Working/When Do You Plan to Stop Working?

mldutton · June 2016

I'm 38w2d (EDD 6/28) and just don't know when to stop working! Ideally I would like at least several days to myself before baby girl comes (to get some final stuff done, take a load off, make some meals, take long naps, etc). Without knowing when she'll be arriving though, I have no idea when to take my last day of work! I will say that my boss is super cool and doesn't really care when I leave. I'm pretty much caught up with work and don't have much to do while I'm at work so the days are so looong. I'm afraid of not taking off early enough, but also taking off too early!!! When did you ladies stop working, or when do you plan to stop working? Thanks!!

meggyme · June 2016

I stopped at 37 weeks, but that's mostly because a) I'm in CA so I get paid disability, b) it doesn't affect how much time I can take once baby is here, and c) I also had to sell my house before she arrived. This is a very individual decision, which should be based on how you've been feeling, how it will affect your time off with baby, and if you've got a feeling (gut feeling or just mild early labor signs) that you might go into labor soon.

lm45678 · June 2016

I stopped at 38 weeks and had everything ready just in case LO came early. I am now 39+5 wishing I was still at work because I am so bored just counting the minutes until baby decides to make their debut!

BPaisley · June 2016

I'm planning to use my EDD as my last day (next Tuesday). That was my plan with DS2 and he came 6 days early. That would have been yesterday with this one. I think I've had that in my mind and, as a result, was not actually expecting to still be here at this point... which is hard.

Like you, if I knew when she would come, I would most definitely take a few days off. But, I'd rather not take off too early and use all my paid leave before baby arrives... I might as well be making more money; however, I feel that once my EDD is here, I will be so incredibly miserable to be around, I will draw the line there!

yoshi1230 · June 2016

My due date is Sunday so tomorrow (Friday) is my last day. I wanted to have as much time off after baby arrives so was trying to conserve my paid leave and benefits for after. Although it seems likely I will be joining the overdue club soon so may have more time than expected.

vintagevix2016 · June 2016

I stopped at 38 weeks as a "just in case." It allowed me to get stuff prepped without feeling rushed, relax, and have some much needed "me" time. I'm a FTM btw. My husband started working remotely from home when I was just shy of 39 weeks. My EDD is today and I started having false labor contractions at about 1:30am this morning. I couldn't imagine trying to go into work at this point.

xc1148 · June 2016

If it doesn't cut into your maternity leave, I'd stop at least at 39 weeks. Unless you are the type to be bored out of your mind, it's nice to have some "me" time (even if you sit there staring at your stomach waiting!) before baby. Go for walks, have lunch with friends, get a manicure...you're about to be thrown into some serious work haha.

I'm stopping at 38 weeks per my job's policy. I work on projects so it's not like I can start something new anyway. All my coworkers stopped giving me work, now I'm just tidying up loose ends.

AOliveira11 · June 2016

I stopped just shy of 39 weeks. My docs were convinced she would come early and here we are late. I wish i had stayed at least te extra week but my house is all prepped and ready to go. Ive repacked her hospital bag twice just to make sure i have everything we need. Hopefully she comes soon. The FMLA laws in MA now say we can take up to 6 months unpaid so i will be taking 18 weeks total using my disability. What are ya'll doing for hobbies during your time off? Ive been on pinterest and have started some wine cork projects to try and pass the time.

ahernandez16 · June 2016

I stopped at 38 1/2. I'm now 40+2 and I am bored as all hell. If I would've known I was going to be overdue I would've worked at least last week to help pass the time.

BPaisley · June 2016

xc1148 said:

If it doesn't cut into your maternity leave, I'd stop at least at 39 weeks. Unless you are the type to be bored out of your mind, it's nice to have some "me" time (even if you sit there staring at your stomach waiting!) before baby. Go for walks, have lunch with friends, get a manicure...you're about to be thrown into some serious work haha.

I'm stopping at 38 weeks per my job's policy. I work on projects so it's not like I can start something new anyway. All my coworkers stopped giving me work, now I'm just tidying up loose ends.

It's funny because I actually get more "me" time when I work! But, that's because I have a toddler and pre-schooler at home. I use my lunch break to get manicures, run errands, shop online, etc. At home, I'd be a slave to those tiny little monsters and physically exhausted!

With my first, though, I took off at 39 weeks and it was definitely nice to have some downtime. But, I was at a job where I actually got paid for STD prior to the birth, so it made more sense money wise. Also, my commute was at least 2 hours from the hospital on a good day, so I really couldn't chance it after that.

alitria · June 2016

I did my last day today because we finished the school year Tuesday and our training day was today. Otherwise, I'd probably still be waddling in just to save my leave.

stxaggie · June 2016

Tomorrow is my last day. The Dr. tried to write me a note last week but I needed this week to tie up loose ends. Due 6/27 but hoping to get my induction scheduled for late next week at my Dr. appt tomorrow. Im looking forward to getting a pedicure and massage and having some downtime before this baby arrives!

HeartLikeMine3 · June 2016

I stopped at 37.5 weeks because DS was out of school and I didn't want to pay for childcare. Was planning on having a couple weeks to get things done but she came almost two weeks early so I've been trying to get stuff done between naps and feedings.

AmberLiz99 · June 2016

With my first I took off at 40+2. Ds was born 5 days later.

This is time I work as an independent contractor from home, so no time off for me.

StayingFocused · June 2016

I'm 38+3 today and I'm scheduled to work through next Friday if he doesn't come sooner. I'm only working about 5-6 hour days now instead of 10. I'm really hoping he comes this weekend though because the pressure/bruised feeling every step I take is really slowing me down. I have a desk job but I am still up and down a decent amount. The last day or so has been pretty trying.

alileecam · June 2016

AmberLiz99 said:

With my first I took off at 40+2. Ds was born 5 days later.

This is time I work as an independent contractor from home, so no time off for me.

I also work from home as an independent contractor, so I worked up until I checked into the hospital (Wednesday evening at 38 weeks) and then actually started my work back the following Tuesday morning (day after Memorial Day). The first time, my water broke at work on a Friday afternoon, so I worked up until then, but it hardly counts because he was early. I didn't go back to work until over 4 months later (unpaid).

yycmama · June 2016

I was taken off work at 28 weeks. 9 weeks later I am going stir crazy. At least now that the risk of going into preterm labor is gone I can get some projects done around here. I have 9 more days until my csection. I really hope I recover quickly so I can get out of the house and get back to "normal" life.

Soverthis · June 2016

I am 39wks 5days and plan on working until I go into labor. I am a pto hoarder! I wish I could be done tho. I am like a high school sr on the last day of school. It's so hard to focus. Not to mention I am uncomfortable.

snowhite12 · June 2016

I stopped working at exactly 38 weeks. honestly, I wish I had worked til 39 weeks. On the upside, my house was sooo clean and it gave me time to rest and spend time with my 3 yr old. I gave birth on my due date.

trythebleucheese · June 2016

I'm in retail, and I worked until the day I went into labor

laurendiaz02 · June 2016

I stopped working at 37 weeks and had my son at exactly 39 weeks. I technically could have kept working probably a week longer then I did, but At least the house was clean, all baby related stuff was ready to go and I could relax for 2 weeks.

bentza1 · July 2016

Up until my due date. It ended up being a week past before she came.

Want a personalized experience?

When Did You Stop Working/When Do You Plan to Stop Working?

Re: When Did You Stop Working/When Do You Plan to Stop Working?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards