To stop working or not? That is the question...

[N27murray]

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[SRTBaby]

I think that is a hard personal decision. I didn't think you could start mat leave before the baby was born? when I filed for mat leave benefits with my son they wanted to know the date he was born.

I wish I could stop work too but financial stress is too scary for me, plus I want my full year of mat leave so. I am going to keep going until the start of my vacation. Good luck in your decision, could you ask for modified work?

 

[shinona]

I have worked til 36 and 38 weeks before and will do so this time. But I have a completely sedentary office job and not on my feet all day (I save that for my non working days!)
I'd sit down and make a proper plan for your home business and work out with your oh how much you need to earn and how much extra he can earn to cover the drop in your salary. If you can make it work and you will be busy working on your own business then I'd go for it. If you had nothing planned it would be much harder as it is still a looong time til you're due x

 

[kitty_el]

I worked until 35 weeks with my dd I would have worked longer but she was induced early. Here in the UK you have to be 29 weeks before you can start maternity leave or claim maternity benefits.
I do think it's a personal choice but I also think 17 weeks is a long time to be doing nothing & I would go mad lol

 

[N27murray]

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[GeralynB]

I am a teacher and will be finished for the summer break at the end of June when I am 22 weeks. I am not going back next year so that will be it for me. Baby is due the end of October. The timing worked out nicely for me.

 

[ItsJana]

I think that is a hard personal decision. I didn't think you could start mat leave before the baby was born? when I filed for mat leave benefits with my son they wanted to know the date he was born.

I wish I could stop work too but financial stress is too scary for me, plus I want my full year of mat leave so. I am going to keep going until the start of my vacation. Good luck in your decision, could you ask for modified work?

In Canada you can start collecting maternity benefits either up to 8 weeks before you are expected to give birth or at the week you give birth. Maternity benefits can be collected within 17 weeks of the actual or expected week of birth, whichever is later.

 

[zigee]

I worked until 12:30 pm they day I delivered ( delivered at 10 pm), my contractions were 5 min apart at that point and I was 4 cm dialated. I left on my lunch break to get checked at the doc bc the contractions were so close and they admitted me immediately.
We get at most 12 wks here in the US so I was determined to make sure I had the most of my time with baby.

 

[purplecupcake]

I don't plan on leaving until I go into labor. I only get 6 weeks unpaid, so I don't really have any other option. Luckily I have had an extremely easy pregnancy and feel great.

 

[DocMcStuffins]

With my first I stopped at 34 weeks, my second I stopped at 35 weeks and with this one I plan on stopping at 36 weeks as I'll be having a scheduled c section at 38 weeks.

I'd much rather struggle through a bit longer at work then get the longest time possible off once baby is here. I'd feel it was wasted if I took it off before and then had to go back to work earlier and miss out on time with my baby.

But it's a totally personal preference that will be different for each person.

I would also add that with my second pregnancy I suffered severe spd, so bad that I was having weekly physio sessions and on crutches from 22 weeks but I still persevered and made it to 35 weeks. Not saying you should, as I know only too well the awful pain.

X

 

[Kobes Mummie]

Wow its so strange to see what you ladies get in other countries. Im a lucky one an can get a year off but it splits down from full to half to unpaid. I would love to finish work now. Im a waking night support worker and the tenant I do 1:1 with can be very violent and can drop seizure at anytime. I have a risk asseaament in place but I have asked for advice from occupational health as iam currently in and out of hospital with ectropian bleeds.
Such a hard decision to make but only you know best for your family xx

 

[TryinFor1]

I worked on my feet with my first till I was 38.5 weeks and then after, I just couldn't. But I was working eight hour shifts like 4-5 days a week, standing the entire time. I went batty the week between giving up work, and having him like a week later but do whatever you wanna do. I think you would get super bored! Where do you work? Can you get a work aid like a chair to sit down while working? I could have one where I worked but I had to move around a lot so it didn't even matter. Lol

Eta, with this pregnancy, I quit last week at like nine weeks but had nothing to do with physical problems. I actually quit, as in won't be returning, to spend time with my son before the baby comes and focus on my schooling.

 

[N27murray]

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[Unexpected212]

I stopped at around 31 weeks last time after multiple chest infections and health issues.

I'm finishing at 31 weeks this time too. It gives me a chance to get prepared and spend some time with my son

You have to look out for you. you know whats best for you and that baby.

 

[pineapple91]

if you can do it do it. I would love to be done now. I worked on my feet to 37 weeks with dd but wasn't working at all with ds. I have an easy job and can sit whenever I need to, but would still be done now if I could afford it. GL with whatever you choose.

 

[PumpkinBump]

when did you stop working in past pregnancies?

My last pregnancy I worked until the day I had the baby. (I worked on a Monday, then Monday night I went to the hospital to be induced, had the baby that next morning). I did that because I wanted to save my entire 12 weeks off for when the baby was born.

 

[Buttercup84]

I worked til 36 weeks with my DD but she was nearly 2 weeks late so I was a bit fed up of waiting by the time she arrived so in hindsight I wish i'd finished a week or 2 later. This time i'll be finishing at 37 weeks so not much later but I need to take all my annual leave before I go on maternity leave or i'll lose it.

 

[Enasy]

Never realised how little time off you American ladies get after baby is born. I plan to work until the end of August then use 2 weeks holiday I have saved up before starting my maternity leave where I get a further 52 weeks off . So if all goes well I will be 36 weeks when I finish work

 

[LoveCakes]

Can your work change your role until the baby is born, for example admin work?

Or if you're unable to work could your dr sign you off sick, though I'm not sure what the rules are in your country

 

[N27murray]

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