Still working? Maternity leave

askerrysmile · November 2016

I am just wondering how everyone is doing at their jobs or if you have decided to take time off before baby comes or if you have had to stop working for health reasons? How is all of this going to work for you financially?
I really want to stop working for the last month, to enjoy the remainder of pregnancy, rest, dispose of unnecessary stressors related to work. Physically I feel like I could keep going, but I just want to focus on preparing for labor and the new baby coming! I have a few weeks earned time saved up but that will be it after that. I live in Vermont and I can apply for benefits (like welfare & food stamps) at week 35. I know that will make things financially very tight for me, but it just feels more important to get ready to be the best mom I can be, fully present for my little babe! Thoughts???

hjmorgan-2 · November 2016

My insurance doesn't allow time off more than a week prior to my due date..... ): However, I do get two weeks off during Christmas. So I'll only have to work two weeks once I get back from break before my maternity leave.

kashock-2 · November 2016

I plan on working until I physically can't. I don't qualify for FMLA or short term disability and have zero PTO. I'll be granted a 12 week leave of absence after the birth, and I want to use it ALL for after baby comes if possible. Still debating whether or not to go back to work to be honest.

AshleySparkle720 · November 2016

I can take whatever time off I need prior to the baby coming, but honestly, I'm not planning to. I will decide based on what my ob says at appointments, but I went into labor with DD a month early and don't want to take a full month off work just to go into labor at 41 weeks ha.

BAJDesigns · November 2016

I am planning on going out when we close for Christmas, which is about a week and a half before my due date. We get 3 paid days off for Christmas and 2 for New Years, so it won't eat into my leave much. Hopefully I won't go too far past due!

KarliQ88 · November 2016

It's been tough but I'm hanging in there. I'm a RN in a cardiac ICU. I work full time 12 hour night shifts. I am going to part time in January. I asked my manager for it to be sooner bbut she denied that request because she needs me as charge nurse until our other charge nurse gets back from her maternity leave. It just doesn't seem fair or right. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. The cardiac ICU charge nurses are the ones that carry the code pager and a couple weeks ago i got called to a code that was literally 3 buildings over. I used to be able to RUN to these things now it's like a waddle as fast as i can. I want to save up my full 12 weeks for after my son is born so...for that reason i am working up until the day i go into labor. It is going to be tough but i keep reminding myself i need to do this for my son. I am just so excited to be part time and have more time at home with my son after he is born.

My vote for anyone who can take more time off is to do it!! Take care of yourself, rest up but try and stay somewhat active (if allowed). Financially we probably could have me take lff the last month but my manager will not allow it without me using my FMLA. And like i said i want those 12 weeks for after.

litzi-2 · November 2016

I haven't been working since about week 24 after preterm labor and having no cervix left. I'm on short term disability which pays 100% (made sure of this before getting pregnant, our student loans would be too much otherwise at a ridiculous 6k/ month). I would love to go back to work at 36 weeks but the odds of making it there are like 1%. I know if I do go back it will be extremely difficult. I don't have FMLA, but my job is super understanding, thank goodness.

AlabamaRedhead · November 2016

I'm taking a week off for Christmas, just to chill at the house. But be working up until my csection date. So my last day should be Jan. 19, although I may take that day off and make my last day the 18. I did the same with my son last time, no issues. But I have a desk job, so it's not too hard.

canavara · November 2016

My due date is January 1st and my company has the week after Christmas off. We get 18 days of PTO a year that doesn't roll over and I had about 1.5 weeks worth of it still, so my last day of work is December 13th. This is all assuming the baby comes on time and not early, in which case I think they are forced to start my maternity leave over the PTO for insurance purposes which is kind of annoying

The funny alternative is if the baby doesn't come on time, and then I return to work after 3 whole weeks off only to vanish for 3 months when he's due a few days late

hayhay2501 · November 2016

Due jan 13 and December 23 is my last day. I officially start leave on my due date but am using this years leave, rollover leave and a few days from 2017 leave to start it early (I get 25 days). I cannot WAIT. I'm exhausted and work is so full on. Need some me time before baby arrives! Just hope I can get through it!!

bab&tjp · November 2016

With my first baby I took 2 weeks before my due date but he ended up coming 2 days late. I was so worried my water would break at work and didn't really know what to expect. (I was working a retail job so lots of moving around/standing) This time around I am going to work until baby comes. With that said, I have Dec 24th-Jan 2nd off from work (vaca time & days that are closed{bank job}) I am Due Jan 5th so I may go before then but if not I will come back to work for 2 days and leave starts ON my due date. Seems kinda of dumb to come back just for 2 days but I don't wanna use up leave time. Although I do have a feeling she is going to come about a week early but you just never know!

TexasGal24 · November 2016

I plan on working until the baby comes. We get the week between Xmas eve and New Years off plus I have a couple vacation days that don't roll over so I will get a nice break before baby comes. My due date is January 7, so I have a feeling I will go back to work on January 3 and work for a week before she comes. I work from home so this is no biggie.

Financially? It wouldn't make sense for me to leave early because my STD doesn't kick in until after I've used up all sick days and other accrued PTO days (which I don't get unless I go into labor).

I'm already thinking about our next baby though - FTM here. I have a feeling I will stop working/go to school/start a contract business at that time because we would pay more in childcare than I make a month at my current job.

#parenting #adulting

azwildcat62 · November 2016

I am going to be working as long as possible to save my time off for when baby is here. Luckily starting the week of Christmas I should be able to work from home. Eeekkk! Need to start all the transition planning now, just in case baby comes early. Time is flying by!

Kurtni · November 2016

I actually let my employer know that I won't be returning after the baby is born today. I still plan on working through December or until they find my replacement. I'm due Jan 25 so that still gives me a few weeks off (I hope!) I'm really hoping they find me a replacement quickly though, I am so burnt out and ready to be done. I'm a hotel receptionist so I certainly don't have a strenuous job but being on my feet 8 hours is rough.

ChristineO36 · November 2016

I have a 3 hour commute every day (by train) so I started working from home two days a week just to give my back a rest. I have to stat working from home full time on December 19 because my doctor doesn't want me more than 30 min away once I hit 35 weeks. I'm planning to go out on maternity leave either January 6 or the 13th. I need to talk to Human Resources about that. I'll do my 6 weeks short term disability and then another 6 weeks of FMLA.

newyearsbaby5 · November 2016

It really depends when baby comes. I'm due New Years. It's my hope that baby comes right before Christmas (I know I can't plan these things) and I'll work up until the day he arrives. If he comes after Christmas, I'll consider taking a few days, like Boxing Day and maybe the 30th just to enjoy life without baby and relax. But then I'll go back to work until baby really arrives.

kaytastic25 · November 2016

With DS1 I took time off a month before he was due. This time I will work until I pop! I think I had a lot of anxiety before my first and wanted time to rest and nest...There's so many unknowns. I feel comfortable and ready for this baby so don't need to take any time off until he's born.

ETA: I had disability with my first. this time I get nothing. just hope that saved money stretches until I can work again.

urbanorchidgirl · November 2016

Guess I'm on maternity leave now, since my son was born at 33 weeks! I have to figure out how I'm going to stay in a town 2.5 hours from home while he is in the hospital for the next month or probably more! Then when we actually get him home, I'll probably only get a few weeks off, since I'm only allowed 12 total.

MaryNog · November 2016

I'm hoping to start short term disability 2 weeks before my due date (assuming I can get a note from my doctor), which makes my last day January 5, but these last few weeks have been tough. We've had a ton of urgent deadlines, which means long days, working nights and weekends. It's starting to take a toll on my body. I'm hoping to work from home more often and rely on coworkers to share the workload.

Salliejabl · November 2016

I am working up until the little one arrives or close to it. I'm scheduled for a c-section January 3rd so will probably use my time the week prior as I have days that won't carry over. I can take up to 12 weeks on FMLA but only get up to 8 weeks on short-term disability so will only take the eight which is what I did with my daughter. I might take some more time prior if I can wrap up my work that will be needed at the beginning of 2017. I am definitely getting tired and not sure how it is going to get as I get closer to my due date.

ashanne88 · November 2016

@urbanorchidgirl I hate that you don't get extended, paid leave for preemies. It seems so unfair that you lose that bonding /adjustment time at home. Maternity leave just sucks so much in this country

My last day will be no later than December 16th (at exactly 37 weeks), if I even make it to then. I've been debating making my last day the 9th instead because the exhaustion is wearing me down just sitting at my desk most of the day. I'm so hesitant to take too much time before they're born though. I get 12 weeks with partial pay and I'd rather spend that time with them. With DS I worked past my due date and basically until he was born but I also felt so much better with him.

jsl82 · November 2016

@ChristineO36 I have a long train ride commute as well- but not as bad as your commute. I'm going to try to remember that my commute could be worse next time I start complaining.

My company only allows for 2 WFHs a MONTH. Mind you I don't actually work with anyone in my office and can do my job from starbucks as long as the wifi connection is good. When I asked about WFH for a few weeks leading up to my due date I was told that we do not allow extended WFH. Luckily having a early January due date is working in my favor. I have PTO to burn through before the end of the year and can only carry over 3 days. I am planning on having my last in office day being 12/9 and WFH the 12th, 13th and 14th (my boss knows my plan and I may just make myself for payroll as being in office everyday). I'll carry over 3 days which I will use on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of January (unless baby arrives early), making my maternity leave officially start on the 6th- 2 days before my due date. Canceling my monthly train pass at the beginning on November was one of the happiest moments I've had regarding work in a long time. I am so ready to be done with this place. As of now I'll be returning 3/31 and giving my notice since we are looking to relocate once our lease is up on the 15th of April.

PrettyGuardianoftheGalaxy · November 2016

I work part time at a library shelving books and I've already put my two weeks in, I won't be going back after thanksgiving. it's getting too exhausting physically, and even if I could work until I deliver, I get no maternity leave or even paid time off as a part time worker. Then I'd have to pay for childcare while I'm at work and it wouldn't pan out, financially.

I'm unmarried and living with my parents, and I feel very lucky that I'll be able to be a stay at home mom for a couple years until she goes to kindergarten. it'll be tight financially though, and unfortunately I don't think I can get government aid

christac1010 · November 2016

Well I was planning on working until I gave birth, but preterm labor screwed up that plan. I'm out on Short Term Disability now and unfortunately it's also counting towards my 12 weeks of FMLA (so I've already used 3 weeks). It's really unfair and it upsets me that I'm losing time with my son while trying to give him the best opportunity to grow. Depending on when he comes, I might have to fight to even have my 6 weeks of STD after birth because I'll be out of the FMLA umbrella. I'm hoping my job will understand but it's ultimately their call if they want to let me have that time home. Honestly, the whole situation just sucks. Prenatal/maternity care in this country is awful.

hjmorgan-2 · November 2016

@christac1010 omg!! How is that legal?? For one you need time for your body to heal! Especially if he's late. That is so scummy, I can't believe they would do that....

ashanne88 · November 2016

That makes me mad on your behalf @christac1010. I really hope they grant you as much time as you need. Maternity leave, care, etc. is so messed up.

momof2girls+? · November 2016

I will be quitting my job on Dec 22nd. That will give me about 1 month before baby is born. Although I think she's gonna come early. I'm part time anyways so I wouldn't get paid leave of I wanted to stay on. Plus daycare would be too much with an infant and a preschooler.
@christac1010 I hope you'll be able to at least take a few weeks off after your baby is born, that's just messed up.

Teach123 · November 2016

I'm a scheduled csection. I plan to take off the 2 days before the procedure. That's if I go that long and don't go into labor early. In that case, I'll just be working until I go into labor and have to go in for an unscheduled section.

TinaBelcher · November 2016

As of this week I'm cutting back drastically. I have to take 1.5 days off every week just for monitoring appointments, and the rest of the week I'm working from home mostly, just going in to smooth things over and make sure everything is covered. I'm salary so I'll continue to get paid thank god. With 2 I'm SO huge and moving/ functioning is really getting difficult

@ashanne88 your doctors are letting you get to/past 37 weeks?

mommy2ane · November 2016

I'm planning on working until my doctor pulls me off work or until the baby comes. I'm due 1/10 but I have two weeks off for Christmas vacation, so that'll be nice. Hopefully the baby comes towards the end of my vacation so that I can get things done and I won't have to go back to work for the week between! Unfortunately, due to the fact I just started with the district, I'll only be taking 6-8 weeks post delivery to stay home (depending on a c-section). It sucks, but I did the same with my son. I'm hoping we won't have to put her in daycare right away.

andrawrmeda2 · November 2016

With my son, it was so much easier, I technically had the summer months off from school/my work study job and my boss at my second job insisted I leave a little early. but my son decided to be nearly 2 weeks late so I ended up having almost 2 whole months from there off. I did go back to work when he was 5 weeks old though, cause school started back up. this time, since I just started 2 months ago as a temp, I tell them when I want to leave, and I can take as long as ic want since they technically can't hold my job. but there there are several people that are working to get me hired and and if they did, I would would get 6 weeks. which is all I'm taking anyhow, as my fiance is starting a new job next week, and hopefully his will work out great. we get like a week and a half off for Xmas/new years and and they want me to work the next week after we we go back. my due date is Jan 16, and I kinda thought of working til labor point but I don't think they'll let me as they have to replace me to keep our department running. my team leader said I could work til my water broke but I don't see how.

BrennansMom2012 · November 2016

I'm working right up until my water breaks or my OB says I need to stay home. She's pretty old school and working, staying on your feet and moving all help labor come on versus sitting around relaxing (given you're healthy to do so). Plus, I'm a teacher and it's harder to take time off than to just go into work. Dreading planning for my leave but the more I work the more leave I accumulate so win-win. I have no fears if my water breaks at work. It's natural and that's what the big pads are made for. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I took time off work before the baby was born?!? Probably drive myself crazy. Lol

krissycole510 · November 2016

I had planned to work right up until he was born, just like I did with my son. Yesterday I called the dr to say that I was having a lot of lower pelvic pain, cramping and back pains. They told me to come in and examined me and my cervix is short and they could feel his head, so now I'm on bedrest at 29.5 weeks

CAndrada · November 2016

I'm scheduled for c section Jan 27th but my last day at work is tomorrow. I'm a psychiatric home health nurse and don't want to be driving around in the winter so I'm taking 10 weeks early. I'm staying home for a year anyway so it doesn't really affect my time with Emerson

cjs260 · November 2016

Due on 1/4, and we get from Dec 23 to Jan 3 off. So, I'm really hoping that baby decides to come in that time frame. If not, I'll probably waddle into work until she comes. My hospital is on the same campus as my lab, so I can very easily walk over there in the case of something exciting happening at work.

ashanne88 · November 2016

@TinaBelcher Both my perinatologists and OBs have said nothing about inducing earlier than 38 weeks. I even have a growth scan scheduled with the perinatologist 2 days before 38 weeks(!). However, at my last appointment, my OB told me he thinks there's no way I'll make it much past 36 (this is the OB that delivered DS and has been practicing for 30+ years so I really trust his experience). So basically I'm not really sure. I have an OB appointment tomorrow and plan to ask (different OB) because I've heard so many conflicting things about going past 37 weeks and it kind of stresses me out. Also, like you said moving around and just getting through the day is becoming increasingly difficult.

mudderbear · November 2016

I'm a waitress at my families restaurant, I currently only work 2 days a week, but after next week I'll go down to maybe 1 day and possibly just be the cashier. After working last night for 3.5 hours on the super hard tiles we have I just feel like crap today. Not even out of bed yet and I can tell my hips are messed and my feet are really tender. I'm due jan 3rd so I'll likely stop working around December 20. I'm in Canada so I get the whole year off.

I feel so so bad for all you mamas that get shit for time off. I don't understand how "the greatest country in the world" can just treat mothers like trash

ChristineO36 · November 2016

LilLynch2015 Lots of luck to you! Commuting is not easy...no matter how long the trip. I'm very fortunate to work for a company with flexible WFH hours. My due date is 1/20 and since I'll be WFH already, I'm really hoping they will approve my last day being 1/13.

TinaBelcher · November 2016

@ashanne88 I know the modi groups are slightly doom and gloom but the literature on not going past 37 with a single placenta is worth a share to your OB, my OBs kept mentioning 37-38 and I kept having to point them to the MFM's notes, my MFM says absolutely no later than 37 on the dot (which is a Sunday for me so I'm aiming to schedule 36+3 or 36+4 because of the particular doctors on call those days- they're more likely to do more toward helping me stick with a vaginal birth, vs giving up and going right to a section like some of the more old school OBs at my practice)

vssbrm · November 2016

We had to do fertility treatments, and due to the stress of my job I stopped working a few weeks b4 we really jumped into IVF. The finances have been hard (esp since we had to do some major structural repairs to our home - it's a 100 yr old bungalow) but somehow we are making it work. I'm going to take 6mths after baby is born, then go back to work. It's def not financially helpful, but we worked damn hard to get this baby, I am going to enjoy as much time with him as I can b4 going back. I do have to go back, Bc he is the worlds most expensive baby - well probably not, but if we want to send him to college there is no choice.

wpowell · November 2016

I will be working up until I have her. I can take 12 weeks off with FMLA but of course none of it's paid. I have saved up about 4 weeks of Sick time I can use when I'm off. I'd like to take the full 12 weeks but, it's going to be tight with me not bringing in anything and I'm only returning to work part time. So I' definitely not taking off anytime before i have her. I want all the time i can get with her when she's here.

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