Working until delivery?

[Anonymous]

About a week before I delivered, I start feeling "off". It felt like PMS on steroids.
I drove for a living and could be 50-75 miles away from home at any given time. I could have worked longer at an office job. I took off at the beginning of the week and my water broke Wednesday am.

[Anonymous]

I worked on Wednesday, had my first contraction on the metro coming home that night, and delivered on Friday morning. About 5 days before my due date. From about 37 weeks on, I left the office every night as if I might be out for three months. And I made sure that my older, male coworkers understood that having a "due date" didn't mean I might not be out before then.

[Anonymous]

I worked until my due date. I had planned to go until delivery date, but found that the stress of leaving every night as if I might be out for several months was too much. Having to update my transition memo with a large, active caseload was frustrating. Other than that, I would have stayed and saved my leave. I did end up working from home a couple of days the following week when something unexpected came up in one of my cases. And I ended up delivering 8 days late. I wouldn't worry about going into labor at work. You have soooo much time to get to the hospital with #1. And I don't really think you need an elaborate plan (unless you work somewhere you can't even get a cab). You wouldn't likely need to go directly to the hospital anyway.

[Anonymous]

I was teaching, so I was off for the summer when my DS was born. School ended around the 17th and he came on the 27th... I was miserably BORED. I would suggest staying if you could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I would only worry if you are in an elevator, that gets stuck, your water breaks, the baby crowns, and the only person to help you is some high school teenager....don't worry, dramatic births usually only happen in movies or sitcoms.

Actually, it happened to my best friend - lives in G'town, worked on K Street. Went into labor during rush hour and couldn't make it to Sibley in time for ANY meds.

She had the worst childbirth experience I've ever heard, so I do think it's wise to stay somewhat near a hospital.

[Anonymous]

My water broke at home 2 days after my due date, a few hours after I came home from work. I had considered the possibility of that scenario happening at work and had a towel by my desk. Good thing it didn't happen there or on the metro - I did commute by metro at the time. I would have a plan in place for what to do if you are at work when labor starts etc. Labor is usually fairly long for a FTM, so chances are you'll have plenty of time, but that's not something that I would gamble on just in case. Also, I kind of disagree that you *know* when labor is imminent. Other than the fact that I was past my due date, I had absolutely no indication that I was going into labor right before my water broke (and I guess technically it wasn't labor - I had no contractions and ended up getting pitocin at hospital just to get labor going in the first place). I had no signs whatsoever, even when I arrived at the hospital I was still 0 cm dilated, not at all effaced, the baby still "floating". Maybe my situation is an anomaly but it shows that it's best to be prepared for any kind of situation. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

16:21 poster -- was this your friends first child? I know people who didn't make it in time for meds, but it was usually with their 3rd child.

[Anonymous]

I worked the day I went into labor. Felt fine. Went that night for my weekly check-up after work. Nothing noticeable. Went to get dinner after the appointment. Started feeling funny. Started having contractions @ 7pm. My water broke at 11PM and then my contractions really started! I delivered the next morning at 10am.

Second pregnancy: I was a SAHM. Felt fine all day. Went to sleep. Woke up about 2am with a contraction and knew it was time. Got up called the doctor. Got dressed and then I woke my husband up and went to tell my mom we were on the way. Delivered the next morning at 11am.

[Anonymous]

I worked until a week after my due date. Worked up until Friday, then was induced the following Monday. I felt fine and would rather save my leave for when the baby arrived.

As for my bag, etc. The reality is that all those books tell you about everything you need for when you are in the hospital. I don't think I ever even opened up that bag! I wore the gown they gave me the entire time. I even wore the same pants home that I wore into the hospital instead of my 'going home clothes'. So I think you could easily leave work and meet your husband at the hospital unless you have children or pets you need to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked until a week after my due date. Worked up until Friday, then was induced the following Monday. I felt fine and would rather save my leave for when the baby arrived.

As for my bag, etc. The reality is that all those books tell you about everything you need for when you are in the hospital. I don't think I ever even opened up that bag! I wore the gown they gave me the entire time. I even wore the same pants home that I wore into the hospital instead of my 'going home clothes'. So I think you could easily leave work and meet your husband at the hospital unless you have children or pets you need to consider.

I just posted this but realized there was one thing I did use out of the bag, the clothes for my baby to wear home So I guess you could just pack a bag with a going home outfit for the baby and you will manage!

And of course, the car seat.

[Anonymous]

One thing I wished I had done before delivery was use a couple of days' leave just for me--to go see a movie, stay home and read, or get a massage or something. I didn't anticipate beforehand how little time I would have for myself after baby arrived.