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When did you stop working?
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Anonymous
| I am now about 34 weeks and am wondering when I should stop working. I know this is somewhat workplace-specific, but, ignoring that, when is a good time to go on leave? I have horrible swells (my BP is actually on the low side so no preeclampsia), am having trouble sleeping and am therefore ridiculously tired all the time. That being said, it seems excessive to stop now, assuming I could even go on STD. What have you done in the past and what are your current plans? |
Anonymous
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With number 1, I worked until the day before I went in to be induced at 41wk 3days. I was able to work from home which allowed me to put my horribly swollen feet up. I should point out that I had a huge deadline the day after my due date and then was trying to get another project dealt with before I had the baby, so there was a lot to do. I never had the nesting urge, so sitting at home not doing work would have been boring.
This time I'll probably do something similar. |
Anonymous
| I worked up until I gave birth at 38w5d. My director did let me start coming in a little later. That helped tremendously as I could sleep in a little bit and wasn't stuck in as much traffic since driving was so uncomfortable. I had always planned on working right up until delivery. Not because of issues with leave, just because I prefered to be busy. It made the days go by faster. Sitting at home was horrible for me. |
Anonymous
| I worked right up until my water broke at 40w2d. Had I taken any time off before that, it would've counted against my total leave, and I wanted as much time as possible with the baby (I only got 12 weeks off). I was also horribly swollen, and this was in July so the heat was unbearable (and I commuted by metro to boot), but I am glad I did it this way. There is something to be said for having work as a "distraction" too - had I been at home, I would've just been moping around waiting for labor to start (which as you get closer to your due date gets to be quite frustrating). |
Anonymous
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same here - worked up to the day of my scheduled induction on 40w2d, but my water broke in the very early morning hours that day.
I'm currently 37wks today with baby #2 and I plan to again work up to the day I go into labor or are induced. I do telework 2 days/wk so that helps. As for swelling, can you put your feet up a little at work. I'm at a desk most of the day, so I prop my feet up on a box under my desk. |
zumbamama
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| If you can take it, take the time off. I got a month before delivery to take off (thank god I worked for a British company generous with maternity benefits). You will need the rest for sure! Second time around I was not so lucky and used up all my maternity leave in the NICU. |
Anonymous
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With number 1 I worked 80 hour weeks (paralegal) and worked right up until I went into labor....I knew I was going to quit my job so I was trying to make and save as much money as I could.
With number 2 I was told to have a C-Section and did not want that so I was over due 2 weeks and 2 days and worked up to the day before my C-Section....ended up having the C-Section since baby would not come down into the birth canal. I think it all depends on what you can handle towards the end of the pregnancy and also how much leave you have from your job if you work. |
Anonymous
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With all my kids i worked up to the last minute mostly because i was trying to expand my maternity leave + vacation time to be all with the baby not with me alone at home waiting.
But i would say with the last one, i worked from home for work starting at 36 weeks (i delivered at 37 weeks). I didn't realize how tiring it was commuting etc until i did this. i felt so much better (and ultimately more productive) working from home. Also many people get nervous seeing you huge walking around the office. You might go into labor on the spot! So your boss might be ok with it. |
Anonymous
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I stopped about a month before DD's birth. My job was/is very stressful, so I found it difficult to follow my gestational diabetes diet at work (I just forgot to eat). Taking the time off was the best thing I could have done: I got to sleep for 12-15 hours a day, read novels, watch TV, and take care of myself...it felt like the long vacation that I'd never had.
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Anonymous
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Worked up until DD was born.
I had flu like symptoms that morning so I knew something wasn't right. and stayed home. Plus, I had been having light random contractions for the past 2 weeks. Be careful with using STD. Check with your HR dept. because in some instances you have to take 7 days PTO/vacation before STD kicks in. PLUS, for STD to kick in you have to have valid medical proof (doctor's orders for bedrest, reduced work hours, or whatever). Sorry, but feeling tired and pregnant at 34 weeks may not be enough to "qualify" for STD. But don't compare yourself to DCUMers. You do what is right for you. We all have different pain thresholds and the wuss-factor. |
Anonymous
| OP here - thanks for all the replies! I should qualify my post - my doctor is threatening bed rest because my workday is extremely long and taking a toll on my body. She said she would fill out all the paperwork so I could apply for STD before DC is born (according to HR, this STD is different from the PP STD I will take after the birth). My plan had always been to work up to my due date. I was just wondering whether this was unusual. |
Anonymous
| There was a recent article, maybe in the NYT, but I can't remember, that said a recent study had found that your c section likihood goes down if you take some time off bf going into labor. I think it said a week or two. I stopped working a week before my due date and found that was a good amount of time to make sure things at work were wrapped up and that I was rested, etc. I didn't have a c section, but of course I have no idea whether the time off was a factor. |
Anonymous
| I plan to stop working two weeks before my delivery date. There's a provision in my STD coverage that provides an extra week of pay beyond the 6/8 weeks if you take off no more than two weeks before expected delivery date so I intend to take advantage. Also, I was initially planning to work right up until the big day but realized that I didn't want to be exhausted from a long day of work and then possibly go into labor. I want to try to save my energy to make it through. Of course, this baby will come when and how he wants so I'm also realistic about the fact that I can't control all the variables. |
Anonymous
| Why are American maternity benefits so stingy? |
Anonymous
| I went to work in the morning, left for a Dr. appt during lunchtime, and then admitted myself into the hospital for observation the same afternoon. I had an induction the following morning. This was five days before my due date. I had planned to work up until labor. |