Wondering When to Take Maternity Leave

I worked right up until the day I went into labor, one week earlier than my OB expected. But at the very end (last 2 weeks or so), I was miserable. I would have given myself a week or two leeway, but my situation only allowed me six weeks off with any pay, so I took it all after the birth and couldn't afford any unpaid time. If you have the option, perhaps you should go sooner than later.

Hi K.,

I responded becuase i know how you're feeling. I worked all the way up until my due date. (I had my baby 5 days later). If I had to do it all over again, I would have taken off a week or two sooner to do some real resting and nesting. After the baby is born, you will be up and down around the clock, so get some rest now if financially, you can afford some time off.

I had a desk job and worked until 37 weeks, a week before I was induced.

Some weeks were definitely better than others.
Good luck!

Everyone is different-every pregnancy is different. Mine was pretty easy-no nausea/vomiting. Only real problem I had was swelling (particularly feet) towards the last couple of months. I worked up until the day I went in to labor. Went home at 5:30pm and went in to labor the next morning at 3:30am. I also went on a business trip late in my 7th month...

If you take it too early-you have less time to spend with the baby...

good luck.

K.

I know it's hard, but try to work until you deliver....(unless you don't plan on going back to work.) You will want to spend your maternity leave recuperating and getting to know your little one. I'm also going into my 9th month,so I know how you feel! Hang in there!

I understand your misery! But, I'd tough it out as long as you can. As long as the baby is fine and you don't have any medical concerns (high blood pressure, etc.), try to keep at it another few weeks. Keep in mind that you could go as long as 2 weeks past your due date. You don't want to use up all your time off before the baby comes. A good compromise might be to go part time for all or part of this last month. I had scheduled C-sections, so I knew exactly when my kids would come and I worked part time for about a week before, then took the last 2 or 3 days off before the surgery for doctor visits, lunch with friends, date with hubby, etc.
The longer you work now, the more time you'll have with your baby later. You will need the time after baby is born even more than you need it now. It will be a while before you're sleeping more than 2, 3 or 4 hours at a time!
Good luck!

I left 2-3 weeks before my due date. It was a good thing too because I had my baby at 38 weeks. Also, once that baby is born, you won't have the chance to relax and sleep in for a long time so take time for yourself before he (or she) comes. You will be sooooooo glad you did. Hope this helps. Congrats and good luck!

R.

I worked up until 5 weeks before my due date. I stopped because my Dr put me on bed rest for hbp. I probably would have worked until I gave birth because I was going to stay home and I would have wanted to earn as much as possible before I stopped working.
I understand about being miserable though. You might want to check with your HR dept to see when your maternity benefits start. By law you get 12 weeks but if you take off early you might have to go back in 12 weeks. Every work place is different.
If you need time to get ready for your baby listen to your heart and body. It is good to get rest now because you will need it for after the baby comes. I'm not sure if I helped you or not. Good luck and congratulations!!!

I just had my 2nd child last Sunday and I worked right up to the end. I think you really just have to listen to your own body though. I felt pretty good up until that last week when I was having more trouble walking around. I wanted to have all of my time at home with my little one. Congratulations on your 1st baby.

I wasn't showing signs of going into labor and ultrasounds showed the baby was getting quite large, so my OBGYN suggested a C-section. If I had showed signs of going into a labor she would have induced, but since nothing was happening and I was past my due date, she thought c-section was better (75% chance of having an emergency c-section if induction didn't work). So I knew when I was scheduled for the c-section and decided to start leave two days before that date. Then I moved the c-section, because I really was hoping the baby would come on her own. I ended up needing the c-section on the original date because I started to leak but still no labor signs, so... long story short, I worked up until the day before I gave birth.

I really wanted to work up until I gave birth because I wanted to spend as much of my maternity leave with my daughter as possible. I had three months, which seemed so short.

I had a lot of back pain and was tired, but I managed to get through. I would imagine it depends how your pregnancy is going and what kind of job you have (for example, if you're standing all day, then it might make sense to start leave now).

Good luck -- do what feels right for you.

Try to stick it out as long as you can!! If you are like most folks you only get your 12 weeks FMLA. I have had 2 children in the last 19 months and you are going to want all the time you can get with your baby. With my first child my doctor made me go on bed rest, I put it off until I was 36 weeks and had my baby at 38 weeks. I would have done anything to have more time with my baby. Also, they end up having to go to daycare sooner not to mention it gives you more time to get them on a routine/schedule without you having to worry with work.

I say hold out! I worked til the day before I gave birth with both my boys. Since the FMLA only allows for 12 weeks of authorized leave, I wanted to ensure all 12 of those weeks were with my boys. I recommend the same. I know the last month is never fun, but a new baby will be such a huge adjustment, I recommend allowing yourself all the time to get to know the little cutie!

K.,
I know how miserable it can be. I am 33 weeks pregnant. I have a 3 old too. My recommendation is to keep working till the baby comes. I know this sounds impossible, but sitting at home will just make you ansy. Work will take your mind off the pregnancy. The last 4 to 6 weeks seem like never ending. Does your job require you to be on your feet? My employer was very supportive and allowed me to work from home. Can you work out a deal like that? Believe me you will need all the time after the baby comes and will hate yourself if you take too much time off before the baby comes.

how long are you planning on staying on maternity leave? Are you taking FMLA so you can be at the full 12 weeks?

I know you're miserable but I would work as long as possible because every day that you work is another day you get with your child and you will realize once s/he is here that you would rather spend that time with them than sitting at home waiting to go into labor.

I worked until the day before my son was born. Another friend took off about 10 days before her birth. She was kicking herself that she didn't have those 10 days with her son. You only have a certain amount of leave and if you use part of that before you give birth, that's less time with your child.

Just my 2 cents.

I did not take off until I had the baby. I thoght about taking off sooner but everyday with your new born counts. Believe me...you will appreciate everyday you have with your newborn before going back to work

Hi K. -

Early congrats on your upcoming arrival! And I understand the misery part. You need to consider what your maternity leave benefits are - do you plan on taking the full 3 months? More? Less? The minute that baby gets here, trust me, it will be so hard for you to go back to work. So if taking leave now won't interfere with how long you're taking once the baby is born, then go for it. But if it will "start" your leave time, you may think about holding out. Maybe switch to some part-time hours?

Of course, if you are miserable physically (above and beyond just being DONE being pregnant), you might talk to your doc about going out on disability. This shouldn't affect your maternity leave, but make sure you check with your HR department.

I know it feels like you're in your 27th month of pregnancy - the physical exhaustion, and the mental exhaustion of preparation - will all be worth it.

Good luck - S.

K.,

You poor thing! I'm sorry to hear you are miserable. I know that last trimester is very hard. I know several moms who worked right up until their due date, but I think that is silly.

Take this last month off and take time for yourself. Clean the house, make a few dinners and freeze them and then spend the rest of your time relaxing and enjoying the last little bit of "YOU" time before the baby comes. You deserve a break!!!

Good luck with the baby!

Hi! Almost there! I guess it depends on your maternity leave when you stop working. I worked up until the day before I had my daughter (2 weeks early!), but I was not sure how much longer I would be working! I planned on taking the full 12 weeks off, and was paid by my company for the first 6 weeks. After that, it was my vacation time that kept me paid for the other 12 weeks. I guess that is the biggest part of the equation depending on if you planned on going back to work! Good luck!

I had high blood pressure and my feet were so swollen that I ended up taking maternity leave at 8 months as well.

every women is different and we all know owr level for being uncomfortable. I actually worked all the way until the day before delivery. I had a dr check appt. on a Monday and she said everything was fine. She had asked if I wanted to induce labor in a natural way. She could stroke the membranes around the uterous to cause them to weaken therefore causing the water to break. I told her I was feeling fine and actually enjoyed being pregnant. The getting up and down was abit of a challeng and sleeping at night was not happening, but I was still 10 days away from my due date. Later that evening I was cleaning out my baby's closet and washing some last minuet clothing gifts. I remember telling my husband that if I went into labor that night I would have so much energy. We decided to go for a walk around the block. I felt great. I woke up about 3am feeling some light cramping similar to your period. It woke me several time during the night. By morning I would roll up into a ball on the bed. I had to wake my husband and tell him to get everything into the car cause we were going to have a baby soon. Don't be afraid of the contractions. Just stare at something in the room and breath through them. We got to the hospital around 9:30 am and I was 3 in dialated I did not deliver till 6:27pm. Sometimes it just takes awhile. Luckly I got the epidural when I reached 7 ins. from then on it was smooth sailing. Highly recomend the epidural. My daughter was born I got stiched up and within about 45 min I was walking to my recovery room. Feeling no pain. Just lots of cold ice packs in my panies. lol

Good luck

K.,
It's been 4yrs since I worked while being pregnant. I was miserable and hot. I lived in Houston at the time, so you can imagine the great weather-NOT!! I worked up until the day I had my baby and even though it was hard, I'm glad I did. I got 12weeks leave that I got to spend with my little girl and I it was worth it. I know every company's leave is a little different, but maybe this will give you something to consider. I'd try to get as much rest as you can right now and maybe you could work half days or from home if your company allows that.
Congrats.

I took off at 8mos 1week because I was SO tired all of the time and had problems with my joints because of the hormones loosening my pelvis. In my case, I had short-term disability, so I earned 66% of my salary. It was very much worth it.

S.

hello-
each mother and her pregnancy are different. listen to your body and your emotions. you need to be relaxed and happy for the best for your baby. maybe part-time or reduced hours would help if finances are a concern. i was lucky and had an "easy" pregnancy so i worked right up until the day before. however - you know what you need and don't be afraid to give it to yourself and your baby!!
best wishes...you're almost there! rest up now. i know you can't wait to have the baby but once it's out you're on the baby's schedule.

Hi! I ended up working until the Friday before my daughter was born (she was born on Sunday) and although it was tough at the end, now I'm thankful that I have that much more time to spend with her on maternity leave. If you're physically miserable, it might make sense for you to go ahead and begin your maternity leave, but the downside might be that the baby comes later than expected and you don't get as much time off with him/her as you intended.

Good luck!

Hi. I worked until I gave birth ... though my reasonig was that I didnt want to waste any of my time off on me before my baby was born. I wanted to spend as much time with him before I had to go back to work. And I only got 6 weeks off. So, your situation may be different ... but I really wanted to stay home even longer than 6 weeks so I am glad I waited until I gave birth to take off.

Good grief lady! Time to put your feet up, past time even. Most woment that I've heard of take leave at the beginning of their 8 months, if not earlier. It's supposed to be about when you feel ready, and if you're miserable, then it's past time.

Hi K.,
I was working full time with both my pregnancies. I worked up until the very end with both. The first my water broke at the office (nothing messy, his head was in the way). I actually drove myself to the hospital. The second was scheduled. I just wanted all my "leave" time to be with the kids. I took 3 months with both. Usually insurance will only pay for either 6 to 8 weeks depending on whether it was a vaginal birth or C-Section.

I worked up to the day I delivered, I was uncomfortable but didn't want to sacrifice the time with my son. My company only give 6 weeks paid and I planned to take 4 unpaid. If your company offers more go for it. Be advised that under FMLA, you get a total of 12 weeks. I would talk to your boss and HR to see what your options are, can you work from home a couple days? Can they get you a more comfortable chair and foot rest?

K.,
It really depends on your financial and medical situation. With my first, I was in college & worked. I walked out of my last final and went into labor 2 hrs. later. With my second, I worked until 2 weeks before due date because my job gave me that in addition to 6 after having baby. Financially, I couldn't quit before that and I was in perfect health. I think what you are feeling is normal at this point in the pregnancy. So, it doesn't seem like anything is wrong. So, you could just resort to how not working will affect other aspects of life. Good luck with everything.

I totally understand what you are going thru, as I worked up to the day before I delivered, and worked retail (on my feet 95% of my day.

You really should check with your human resources dept. before going on maternity to find out how long you can be out. My company only allowed 12 period. If you went out before the baby, you lost time later on.

I know it's hard, and I was just relieved that my baby was born on her due date so that I didn't have to work while overdue, which is what I would of had to have done.

If I could have taken off before the baby came, I would have only taken off one week before to basically get rested, do laundry, and have the pantry stocked. Maternity time goes by SO fast, and you are sleep deprived thru most of it!
Good luck to you.

Here's my advice. Obviously only you can determine just how unbearable your current situation is. But I'm a first time mom also and worked until 1 week past my due date, when I was induced. My maternity leave is almost over and I can tell you I'm so grateful for every day I've had. I don't know how much time you'll have to take off for your leave, but if you do it now, that's one month less time you'll have with your baby. Believe me, it absolutely flies by and you may regret not having the full amount of time to spend with the new arrival. It is such a special time that you can never get back. I hope that helps. Hang in there.

When I was working, my job allowed maternity leave 2 weeks before your due date, so that is when I took mine. This seemed to work for me, then I could clean everything and get ready for the baby to come. Didn't go back to work afterwards though.

I worked up until my daughter was born. I workd that Monday and was induced the next morning (Tuesday). My advice is work as long as you can so you spend the majority of your leave with your baby.

Good luck!

I would check with your employer to make sure you understand how they administer your leave. By law you are entitled to 12 weeks, but if you leave now, the 12 weeks starts now and then you will have less time with the baby when he or she gets here. Just something to consider.

I quit working a week before my due date and then I was a week overdue. So I ended up being quite bored in those two weeks. That said, I did not return to work, so maternity leave was not an issue anymore. Good luck!

Hi! Depending on how your job is... you may want to wait until the day of delivery! I know I wanted to leave a week or 2 before my due date but Human Resources advised me that I would have to dip into my vacation time if I wanted to leave "before" the date of birth. "Maternity Leave" did not officially start until the day of the baby's birth, according to company policy. Anytime before the birth would be considered vacation time. If you plan on going back to work...you may want to hold onto that vacation time to use at the end of maternity so you can stay home w/baby longer or use later on during the year OR do what I did and use the $$ for the vacation time in my last paycheck because I decided not to go back to work at the end of my maternity leave.

You may need to ask your company's Human Resources dept. to make sure when maternity leave can start.

It is do-able though. I worked the day I went into labor...came home from work and went into labor late that night. The walking and getting up every day for work, I think, helped keep me busy, keep my mind off the birth, and kept me from getting too nervous, etc. And I had all this maternity leave time to stay with my baby because I didn't use any before the baby was here. You may want to try to tough it out to the very end -- you can do it!
God bless! Email me if you have any other questions.....
Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

Hi K.,
First let me say, Congrats! and as a mother of two girls I totally sympathize. I worked until the last day for each but would have loved to have taken some time off before. The only reason I did it that way was to have as much maternity leave as possible after they were born. Good luck and remember, if taking extra time off before baby comes is what you need to do to take care of yourself, don't let anyone else make you feel bad for doing it. You will need all the energy you can get once your precious one gets here ;-)

As a working mother it is probably best to wait as long as you can before you take maternity leave so that way you have more time to spend with the baby unless of course you can get a note from the Dr putting you on bedrest.
Which I did. You don't want to push yourself too much cause that can lead to complications.
Good Luck!

Hi K.,
Wow, I remember that feeling. I consider myself to be somewhat intelligent and rational but at that point and up until I delivered I was just SURE that pregnancy had become a permanent state of being for me. The baby would NEVER come!!!! I guess the good thing is that he or she will be here soon. I worked until the day before I had my 20 month old son. I was going to just work until I went into labor but during that last week my blood pressure went up so I had to go home on bed rest - and had him the next day on his actual due date. It worked out well for me to do that since I needed to have the money for after I had him and the clock started ticking once I went on maternity leave. I never did go back - and am thankful everyday I can stay home. I guess it is up to your own financial situation if you take leave now or not but if you are returning for work and you take leave now - you may miss out on some days with the baby before you go back. Good luck to you - and congrats on your little one!
A.

K.,
I'm sorry you're so miserable. I too worked through my entire pregnancy...till the day before my son was born. You're probably exhausted, swollen, achy, not sleeping well. I can totally understand why you'd want to just check out now. But if you can hold on just awhile longer, I think you'll be glad you did.

Your maternity leave will just fly by once your little one is here. You are not going to be getting much sleep and will need as much time as possible to get into the swing of things. Not to mention getting over the complete and utter exhaustion. And...last but not least, it's so hard to leave your little one to go back to work. I'd put it off as long as possible.

That is just my opinion...do what you think you need to. You'll probably get opinions all across the board!! You'll find this true with any question you ask about your child as well (eating, sleeping, potty training, discipline..anything.)

Good luck!!!