how many moms out there worked until your due date?

[Anonymous]

I worked until a few days prior. I was happy to have a few days to work on the laundry, nursery, etc.

[Anonymous]

I worked the day I went into labor (got home from work at around 6 PM, was at the hospital by 9:30 PM and bay was born early the next morning.)

[Anonymous]

I took off a week or so prior to my due date, but it wasn't an issue with my leave, and I was due in early Dec., so just worked up until Thanksgiving and stopped. I was glad to have the time off before the baby arrived, but in talking to a friend I think that was in large part due to the time of year - i.e. it was that time after Thanksgiving that allowed me to actually be ready for the Holidays that year. If it had been another time of year, I might have just tried to take an extra afternoon here or there for things like haircuts, car inspections, etc. that are harder to do after the baby arrives.

[Anonymous]

Worked past my due date since there was 1) NO signs that she was imminent and 2) I would have gone out of my mind sitting at home waiting. An induction was scheduled about a week after my due date for a Wednesday. I worked until Monday (that Monday, working from home). Tuesday I took the day to relax, get a pedi, etc. Checked into the hospital Tues night. Induced in the morning.

[Anonymous]

I went into labor at work. I stayed for a few more hours and then left an hour and half early.

[Anonymous]

I worked until 36 weeks. At that point, I was too uncofortable to be productive at work and took a month off of annual leave before DD was born at 40 weeks. Frankly, I was amazed how unsympathetic my OB was in recommending that I start my leave early...in most European countries (I am originally from one of them), you stop working at 36 weeks or even earlier.

[Anonymous]

PP here...I meant "uncomfortable"

[Anonymous]

I worked past my due date because both kids were a week late. Both were born on a Saturday night/Sunday morning and I worked the Friday before with both. I wanted to keep as much maternity leave for post baby rather than pre. I was able to take if pretty easy the last two weeks as I had transitioned most projects already.

[Anonymous]

I worked Wednesday until 6PM, had the baby the next day mid morning.

This time I plan on working until the last second. Like many other posters, I want to maximize my time off with the baby and not waste a single drop. I did not find it too hard to work while pregnant. My job is very busy and I don't have time to think about much other than the task at hand.

I used to wait tables with a lady who, on her 3rd baby, went into labor at the restaurant, finished her shift and then went to the hospital where her husband met up with her for the birth. She was amazing!

[Anonymous]

I was due on a Tuesday and worked through the Friday before I was due. I had everything wrapped up at work and just didn't feel like going in on Monday, so I started maternity leave that day. I went into labor on Tuesday, my due date, and delivered midday the next day.

If we have a second, I definitely plan to work until the end if I can.

[Anonymous]

I never took a day off before the delivery of my 3 kids (conserving maternity leave). However I did work from home the last week on the last 2 and everyone appreciated it. No one wants to see you huge and about to burst in the office! I didnt realized what a difference that made. I was so much lass tired not driving to work.

[Anonymous]

I'm due in three weeks and just told my employer that I'm starting my leave. I'm uncomfortable at work, and although it's not unbearable, I just feel like my head isn't really in the game because I'm so excited about having this baby. Not to mention that I'm having an awful time sleeping and so I feel my brain isn't very sharp. This way I can take all the naps I want. And like an earlier poster, the comments about how I look like I'm going to pop, etc., are getting really, really old. I have a lot of projects around the house to take care of and I don't plan to sit home all the time, but meet friends for lunch, run errands, catch a movie here and there, try to get in a swim every day -- all if I'm up for it and in small doses. I figure it's the last bit of "me" time I'll have for quite awhile and I want to take full advantage.

Obviously, this doesn't work for many women because of the leave issue. But it's worth it for me.

[Anonymous]

honestly, I am so happy I worked all the way up because I was week post delivery date and that week absolutely sucked! Everything was done and I was just sitting around twiddling my thumbs

[Anonymous]

Go with what makes you happy.

I had no particular plan, and ended up going into preterm labour at work on a Saturday, which at least resolved the indecision...!

[Anonymous]

With my first, I worked until I went into labor. And he was late -- due the 8th and arrived on the 15th. I was glad to be at work because it kept me occupied. Being at home was exhausting. One load of laundry involved traipsing up and down the stairs about 6 times and made me want a nap!

My second was induced because #1 was pretty big. I worked on Monday, took tuesday off and went in for the induction on Wednesday. I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on Tuesday and I wanted another day to play with DS before the little one took over!