When in your 3d trimester do you plan to either stop going to work or start telecommuting???

[Anonymous]

I thought I would keep going into the office right up until the end, but I'm getting HUGE and I get tired from so little activity (I'm 34 weeks), I'm scared I might push myself into early labor if I don't make every effort to limit my activity, including my commute (I drive to the metro, and walk a stretch from the metro to my office). Also - it's getting cold out there! I'd be interested in hearing your game plan if you have one. thanks!

[Anonymous]

My son was due April 13 2007. I worked in a school, and spring break started the last day of March, so I decided to stop work then, two weeks before my due date. If baby arrived on time, I would have two weeks to rest up before hand. My worry about taking off more time that that was that I would be overdue and end up sitting around the house for a month bored silly. As is was, my son was born on April 8, so I had a week off to rest, and he came a little early. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm only 29 weeks right now, but my plan is to try and work right up until I go into labor (I want to try and save all my leave for after the baby arrives). I'm still pretty comfortable right now, but I have discussed the option of working from home with my boss, so I may try to start telecommuting some of the time if/when it becomes uncomfortable to commute and sit at a desk all day.

[Anonymous]

I had an easy, summer pregnancy and worked until the day I delivered at 39 weeks. That said, by week 37, I really felt like I was starting to drag. I think working kept my mind off of delivery worries, though.

[Anonymous]

I always worked up until my due date with my other 2 pregnancies, but mostly b/c I wanted to maximize my maternity leave for when the baby was born. It certainly is a drag the last week or so, but well worth it if you have limited leave.

[Anonymous]

i worked up until the day before i went into labor. (my water broke at 5:00 a.m. so i didn't go into work that day!) I had limited leave, so I didn't want to use it before the baby was born. i was pretty cranky and swollen the last month or so, but otherwise ok. i also took metro to work, but started walking from the closest metro stop (vs. the farther-out one I'd been using for extra exercise) in the final week. could you drive into work for the last weeks? would that be less taxing? good luck!

(note: i was paranoid about my water breaking on the metro or at work so I had a towel in my bag at all times, just in case, and I had an extra outfit at the office.)

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 weeks today and will work through Friday. Pretty tired and uncomfortable most days, but I think the activity actually does me good. I bus and walk to work, yes, even in this cold! It's also nice to get out of the house and see other people. I'm dreading waiting at home for the baby to arrive -- if he's late -- but don't want to work right up until I go into labor, since I'd rather have things all tied up at work. That said, you should do what feels right for you. Has your doctor given you any reason to worry about early labor?

[Anonymous]

I worked up into my labor. My water broke in our staff meeting and then I gave birth at lunchtime and got back to the office by around 3 p.m.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked up into my labor. My water broke in our staff meeting and then I gave birth at lunchtime and got back to the office by around 3 p.m.

Wow, you really are funny. Thanks for the sarcastic reply. So nice to know that even the most benign topic can get a snotty response.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm about as far along as you are - 33 weeks right now. I have been planning on working to the due date, but working the last 4 weeks or so mostly from home. As it is, I've worked the last few weeks at home b/c I have a miserable cold.

I hate hate working at home (I like people and getting out of the house) but I'm happy that I have that option. My biggest problems with going in to the office are not related to going into labor, either. I am worried about slipping on ice now that it is cold (not that I go out much, but still, I had a pretty terrible fall last winter when I wasn't pg) and I am having an ongoing battle with my office chair. The chair is winning, too - killing my back.

And no, they won't give me another chair. But I got 5 months of leave, so I don't want to press it!!

[Anonymous]

I'm 30wks pg with baby #2 and plan to work up until the big day. I worked up to the day before I went into labor with baby #1. I don't have that much leave saved with baby #2 and I drive to work and park in a parking garage under my office, so I am not out in the cold at all. Also, the hospital I'm delivering at is literally a 3-4 min drive from my office vs about 25-30 from my house, so I wouldn't mind going into labor at work. I also sit at a desk most of the day so I am not on my feet at all.

Given different circumstances I might decide to take off a little sooner, but I think I can make it through this one until the end also.

[Anonymous]

I gave birth two weeks ago and I worked up until the day before I gave birth. If I had to do it again I would have stopped working the week prior. I was lucky in that my water broke at night while I was at home, but if I was out somewhere it would have been difficult as my contractions became very strong shortly afterward. Everyone has a different experience, but in retrospect it would have been nice to rest for a few days before giving birth as there isn't much rest afterwards.

[Anonymous]

I am in week 29 of my second pregnancy and plan to stop one month before the birth. There is so much that I need to do at home that I'm too tired to now with full-time work. Plus I want to give my daughter all the love and attention I can in her final month as an only child.

[jgeetter]

My goal is to go into labor at my office desk! I'm at 30 weeks so I may feel differently when I get closer, but for now I'm trying to get as much done so I can leave projects in good hands when I'm out.

[Anonymous]

My work is actually closer to the hospital than my home - going into labor at work and heading straight to the hospital would be kind of practical in a sick and twisted sort of way.