OT-rant about work

[QueSeraSera]

Argh! So today is my due date and, obviously, I had hoped not to be at work today. At my appointments for the past two weeks, however, my doctor has indicated that I would probably go past my due date because my LO isnt dropping and I'm stuck at 1cm. So I told my work that I would probablly be at work through the end of this week. Yesterday I asked my doctor if she would approve me starting my leave on Monday, since they are going to induce next weekend if the baby hasnt come naturally by then. I am starting to get really uncomfortable and its hard to focus on work while I'm having BH contractions incesantly. My doctor told me no, that she wouldnt sign the forms. She said that I was fine, there was no medical reason for me to start leave, and that work will "do me a bit of good and keep me from going stir crazy." Seriously?! I think I can manage a week off without going stir crazy...

And, if that wasnt frustrating enough, I come into work today and have to be in a 4 hour meeting. I am working on a project with another lady who is my superior and gets paid a lot more than me, but she pushes all of her work off on me and never has worked a full day the entire time Ive been on this project. She is not my boss, but just higher up the ladder than me. And, throughout this entire pregnancy I've only missed work for my required doctors appointments and nothing more. So today she comes into the meeting 30 mintues late and then after it ended she announced that she is leaving because "she doesnt feel good." But before she left, she asked me when I thought I would be starting leave. I told her that my doctor wont approve it before the baby comes and I will most likely be induced next weekend. She was upset that I'll only be here one more week because "theres still so much to do..." Are you kidding me?! Im most likely working more than a week past my due date and this is upsetting?! Argh....I just cant handle this crap today!

Sorry ladies, but I just had to rant. On the positive, I do feel a bit better now..

 

[anna matronic]

So different to how it works here in the UK.

Sorry it is crappy for you, but seriously it is a matter of days. I'd just chilax at work and do the bare minimum. You are 40 weeks prego surely they won't be crappy with you. Well done for still working is all I can say x x

 

[kittykitty]

Can I say I'm highly surprised that you work up to and over your due date? Here in the UK most women finish between 33ish and 37/38 weeks (some as late as 39).

My maternity leave had to legally start at the latest the Sunday before my due date so even if I wanted to I would not be allowed to work now.

Can you take sick leave without a doctors note and if so how long for? Depends what H&S laws you have over there but in the UK companies have a duty of care and have to make sure your adequately provided for so to speak.

I'm really sorry you can't get any leave before hand to physically and mentally prepare for a child, including sleeping loads!!

 

[QueSeraSera]

So different to how it works here in the UK.

Sorry it is crappy for you, but seriously it is a matter of days. I'd just chilax at work and do the bare minimum. You are 40 weeks prego surely they won't be crappy with you. Well done for still working is all I can say x x

Thats pretty much what Ive resigned myself to. I keep getting a lot of work to do, but I've decided that I'm just going to stop busting my bum and try to do it all as leisurely as possbile If my doctor wont let me rest at home, I'm going to try to get as close as I can to resting at work! Its just annoying that people get snotty about me leaving soon when its only because they know that then they will have to do the work themselves!

 

[QueSeraSera]

Can I say I'm highly surprised that you work up to and over your due date? Here in the UK most women finish between 33ish and 37/38 weeks (some as late as 39).

My maternity leave had to legally start at the latest the Sunday before my due date so even if I wanted to I would not be allowed to work now.

Can you take sick leave without a doctors note and if so how long for? Depends what H&S laws you have over there but in the UK companies have a duty of care and have to make sure your adequately provided for so to speak.

I'm really sorry you can't get any leave before hand to physically and mentally prepare for a child, including sleeping loads!!

I thought that it was pretty normal for people to stop work at least a few days before their EDD here too! But my doctor looked at me like I was crazy for even inquiring about it... It is a military hospital though, so maybe that has something to do with it. For the most part my work was okay with me starting it monday (except for the one lady I work with who would probably be happier if I toted my newborn into work with me!) Its really just my doctor who is saying she wont approve it until the baby is born.

I could take some of my personal time off, but I only have 9 days because I have to use the other 10 days for the first part of my disability (maternity leave). I was hoping to save it because we have an issue with daycare where it could take over 12 weeks after the LO is born to get a spot for her. And I only get 12 weeks of leave. So I may need my PTO to tack on to the end of my leave... :-/ Its all soo up in the air, its annoying!

I was hoping for at least a couple of days to sleep in before the baby comes...but it looks like I better just settle in and try to rest as much at work as possible!

 

[anna matronic]

What happens if you go sick without the doctor approving it? Here in the UK we can self certificate our sickness for the first 8 days before we need a doctor to sign us off. I can;t believe your doctor hasn't approved it. That is just really mean. Maybe go back on Monday and see her again, you will be 4 days over and just moan until she agrees. Refuse to leave her office, rant, moan, cry, do whatever, might help you go into labour

 

[aurora]

Holy your doctor sucks!

 

[QueSeraSera]

What happens if you go sick without the doctor approving it? Here in the UK we can self certificate our sickness for the first 8 days before we need a doctor to sign us off. I can;t believe your doctor hasn't approved it. That is just really mean. Maybe go back on Monday and see her again, you will be 4 days over and just moan until she agrees. Refuse to leave her office, rant, moan, cry, do whatever, might help you go into labour

i could use some sick days before i have the baby, but it would mess with my maternity leave and pay. we dont really have a proper maternity leave here and so the compensation i get is through my disability insurance (its not great, but way better than what most get here). its based on the number of days you worked in the 8 weeks previous to your disability. if the doctor were to sign off right now, it would kick in immediately. but since she wont, i could take sick days but it would reduce the number of days i worked and the amount of pay i earned before my disability was established. in the end it would mean that if i go more than a few days overdue, i would get paid quite a lot less for the entire 12 weeks of my disability (maternity) leave.... bleh! so when i look at it that way, i figure i should just do my best to shoulder through the last days. :-/

 

[anna matronic]

I kind of understand! What a bugger that is

Just a few more days x x x

 

[QueSeraSera]

I kind of understand! What a bugger that is

Just a few more days x x x

thanks! i will just keep telling myself that! i keep informing myself that i can indeed do this...i figure if i repeat it enough it will be true!

 

[Aus_Amy]

As the other lady went home "Not feeling well" I'd put my feet up and rest a bit! I've had to go on mat early due to complications.. So I have no idea how you feel.. But If you're active b4 it does get boring.. Even with people helping you to fill in the time..

GOODLUCK

 

[QueSeraSera]

As the other lady went home "Not feeling well" I'd put my feet up and rest a bit! I've had to go on mat early due to complications.. So I have no idea how you feel.. But If you're active b4 it does get boring.. Even with people helping you to fill in the time..

GOODLUCK

I definitely agree that maternity leave could get boring, especially because I am the sort who always needs something to do. But I was pretty sure going into my drs appt yesterday that I could handle a couple days! My doctor apparently doesnt agree though I have pulled over another chair to my cubicle this afternoon to put my feet up because they are just disgustingly swollen and beyond sore...I figure I deserve at least that!!

 

[Aus_Amy]

As the other lady went home "Not feeling well" I'd put my feet up and rest a bit! I've had to go on mat early due to complications.. So I have no idea how you feel.. But If you're active b4 it does get boring.. Even with people helping you to fill in the time..

GOODLUCK

I definitely agree that maternity leave could get boring, especially because I am the sort who always needs something to do. But I was pretty sure going into my drs appt yesterday that I could handle a couple days! My doctor apparently doesnt agree though I have pulled over another chair to my cubicle this afternoon to put my feet up because they are just disgustingly swollen and beyond sore...I figure I deserve at least that!!

I agree!! Need to put your feet up and relax!!

 

[subaru555]

Your an inspiration to me right now as I won't be finishing work at all, just taking a week off when the baby is born. I hope I can keep struggling through like you. There's just things you've got to do in life! Won't be long now!

 

[QueSeraSera]

Your an inspiration to me right now as I won't be finishing work at all, just taking a week off when the baby is born. I hope I can keep struggling through like you. There's just things you've got to do in life! Won't be long now!

oh wow! i shouldnt be an inspiration at all! youre a much stronger lady than i am...ill be taking 12 weeks off after the baby is here. but honestly, you can do it, the hardest part isnt the working really...its just that everyone around you starts to get more and more annoying. i think thats the reason i wanted to take some time at home more than anything else...some peace and quiet just seems like a lovely concept lately good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and i hope you make it through at work without any troubles!

 

[MrsNovBaby]

Holy cow - will not complain about my maty leave at all. What a moo cow your DR is! Good luck with everything and do as little as poss xx

 

[QueSeraSera]

What a moo cow your DR is!

i thought so too! i was really caught off guard when she said absolutely no. i didnt think i was asking for too much...5-7 days off. i mean she is a military doctor, but even active duty people get half days starting two weeks before their due date! :-/ bleh. oh well...im just kind of relaxing at work now! just making it through the days

 

[SilasLove]

I hope your baby girl comes soon! What a crap doctor, jerk. But I suppose there is not much that can be done now. I hope you cope well.

 

[QueSeraSera]

I hope your baby girl comes soon! What a crap doctor, jerk. But I suppose there is not much that can be done now. I hope you cope well.

thank you for the hugs! i think i just needed to get a little rant in and hear that it really is okay to take it a bit easier these last days at work. im feeling much better now that im not feeling guilty about taking a bit on the relaxed side at work! im pretty sure i can make it another 5-10 work days max, although i wouldnt be upset if the LO just decided to show up this weekend!

 

[amandaawesome]

i am shocked they wouldn't give you a silly few days off. that's crazy!!! guess it shows you are good and healthy. but still. that dr sounds rude and controlling. i'm sure she does her job well but seriously??? i wonder if she has ever been pregnant.

you have a great attitude though!!! good for you! i am working until i pop too but for financial reasons. i just hope and pray my water doesn't break at work. LOL