Working until delivery?

[Anonymous]

I'm just at 30 weeks in my first pregnancy and I'm beginning to think about my plans for wrapping up at work, developing the delivery plan, etc. I'm interested in knowing what people mean when they say that they worked until they delivered. Initially I was thinking that I would also work up to my due date (or even after until the baby actually arrives), but now I'm thinking through the logistics of that and I'm not really sure how it would all play-out. For those who did work until you delivered, what type of plan did you have in place if you went into labor at work? Did you have someone lined up at the office who was prepared to help get you to the hosptial? Did you have a bag packed at home and at work (or car)? What other factors did you consider? I may be over-thinking this, as I'm not completely sure what to expect when first going into labor (though I do expect that I will have some time between when labor first starts and the baby actually arrives), so I would appreciate any insights into this aspect of planning for the birth. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I arranged to start working from home beginning on my due date (I was horrified at the idea of going into labor at the office), and actually went into labor that day. I can still remember calling the person who would be covering for me and telling him that I thought I was going into labor! I worked on my laptop between early contractions for the first hour, because I wasn't sure if it was really labor or not. So I was timing them and working at the same time. Thanks for bringing back a fond memory from 7 years ago.

[Anonymous]

I worked until the day before my son was born - full time, no issues, mildly distracted that last few days because I could tell the birth was imminent. I sort of figured why create a situation where I'm wasting maternity leave just sitting around waiting for the baby to come out when there is no reason to do so? Anyway, you should have a plan either way - make sure there is a colleague who could drive you to the hospital, if your drive to the hospital would be with nasty rush hour traffic than maybe build in a little extra time to get out of the office early every day, etc. But unless your drs tell you to stay home or unless you feel, emotionally or physically that you should, I guess I don't see a reason.....

[Anonymous]

I worked until the day before I delivered. Spent most of the last couple of weeks working from home due to terribly swollen ankles. It was easier to sit on my couch with my laptop and my feet on the coffee table. But my job was extremely flexible. I realize not everyone has that luxury.

I did have a major deadline the day after I was due. So I tried to get things done early and made sure that there was a copy of my work available to my group just in case. I ended up being induced 10 past my due date so it wasn't an issue.

[Anonymous]

For most moms-to-be you sorta "know" when it's time. True, not all, but most. You start feeling off, flu-like, mild cramping, etc. plus in the later part of the 3rd trimester you'll be going to the doc. every week to get an update on your dilation, etc. so you sorta have a clue. These "symptoms" should give you enough time to make a few phone calls and get to the hospital (or call en route).

For me, I woke up not feeling well and called my boss to let her know I would a few hours late because I wasn't feeling well...duh preterm labor. Never went to work that day and had DD that PM.

Leading up to the pending day I ALWAYS made sure I tied up loose ends and briefed coworkers just-in-case.

As for the hospital bag - leave it in the car or have hubby go home and get it later (assuming you live nearby)

[Anonymous]

If you are in a real bind (especially if it's rush hour) - like at work, running errands alone, in the grocery store - you can always call an ambulance to take you (and most insurance co. will cover the cost so don't worry about the extra charge)- that is what happened to my mom when she had my sister. She left my oldest sis. with a neighbor, went into labor, my dad had the sole car at work about 45 miles away and so my mom called for an ambulance and my dad met my mom at the hospital (he beat the ambulance there)

[Anonymous]

I worked up until the day before I was induced with my second (but was on bedrest with my first). DH works pretty close to me, so he would have been my ride. My only fear was having my water break at work. But, with both kids, they had to do that for me at the hospital. As for getting to the hospital... the vast majority of people have PLENTY of time with their first. Plus, it doesn't much matter where you are; you really shouldn't drive yourself to the hospital. So, either your DH (or whoever you plan to be your ride) just needs to be on notice that he/she needs to be ready at the drop of a hat. The bag...that was the big joke in my house. My DH was so worried about having everything packed. The only thing I used in the first day was a toothbrush. Don't stress about that. If you don't have it, or forget something, someone can bring it to you. Sure--it's nice to have it packed. And I would carry a camera (the other thing I used, now that I think about it) if you plan to be away from home for any length of time. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Worked on Wednesday, went into labor Wednesday night, had baby Thursday.

I just made sure each day when I left for work everything was closed out.

I knew there would be no public catastrophe's at work. Child birth for your 1st takes a long time and your body gives you ample warning befhore hand. On Wednesday at work, I was having quite strong contractions. I too did not want to waste a SECOND of maternity leave on time other than with the baby.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks for all the insights, particularly the fact that I will likely "know" that I'm going into labor from general body signals. I do have a some flexibility at work, so I will also consider working from home the day or so before the due date and go from there. All the posts reassured me that it can work and it won't be a drama-filled (which I'd like to avoid) event. Thanks for all the feedback!

[Anonymous]

I know lots of people who worked until the very day of delivery. In my case I planned to but by the end I was too miserable and uncomfortable. My position then had zero flexibility and my boss got very annoyed with me when I tried to work from home for the last 2 weeks. The company insisted that I go on maternity leave and forbid me from having any further contact because our maternity leave was short-term disability (I had wanted to wrap up my projects even if I was technically on leave.) The whole thing made me very bitter, and presumably they weren't happy either since I had altered my original plans (by a mere 2 weeks, but in a big legalistic corporation and very male-dominated industry, I think they saw this as unreliability). I only relate this to suggest that it's good to leave a little ambiguity with your employers depending on how your pregnancy is going.

[Anonymous]

My water did break at work (I was 39 weeks that day), and you know -- no one noticed. I was having lunch with colleagues. I got up, pushed in my chair, and excused myself. It wasn't like a flood, more like a small gush. For my 2nd kid though, I kept a towel in the office After my water broke, I wasn't having contractions, so I just drove myself home. But I second what other posters have said about having plenty of warning in all circumstances. For my 2nd kid, I spent most of a day with mild sporadic contractions. It was a Saturday, but if I'd been at work (as I was the previous day), I would have been fine to drive myself home again.

[Anonymous]

I stopped working 3 days before my due date and was totally bored and cranky sitting around waiting for the baby to decide to come out! I was too huge to do anything but take long (very slow) walks with the dog and I was too tired to read. Luckily, I went into labor on my due date. This time around, I'm stopping work the day before my due date and hope that it's not too long a wait.

[Anonymous]

I worked up until the last day with both of my kids. In both cases, I was pretty uncomfortable the last week -- i.e., Braxton Hicks contractions waking me up every night, just generally not feeling up to snuff. In both cases, it was during the last week that I considered potentially taking time off -- but I really didn't want to sit at home alone. In both cases, I wrote a good-bye e-mail to my colleagues on my last day of work (a Friday in both cases). With baby #1, my water broke on Saturday morning (a leak, not a gush) while DH was at a conference. My contractions never started, so when DH got home I called the doc who told us to go to the hospital. Baby was born early Sunday morning. With baby #2, my contractions started Saturday night, we went to the hospital Sunday a.m., but were sent home. Contractions came back Sunday night and baby was born Monday morning.

In both cases, my boss would have been fine if I had decided to start my maternity leave early (under short-term disability), but I really didn't want to sit at home alone and just wait.

[Anonymous]

OP-Normally your water does not break. Oftentimes that happens at the hospital. Sometimes its even a slow leak.

Yes, you will know when you start to be ready to have the baby. It will not be a suprise and your body will give you pleanty of warning. Don't watch too many dramatic recreations on TLC.

[Anonymous]

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.