I get asked this question a lot. I mean seriously, there are a lot of things to consider when trying to decide how long to work. While there are no easy answers, there are some ways to help you make the decision, and some experts to bring into the mix. For example, when I made this decision with my first baby I talked to my boss, the doctor, my friends, my husband and the HR people where I worked. I do admit that I hadn't made a decision by the time that baby was born at 40 weeks and 5 days gestation, but I was getting around to it.
Related:
- How long should you work before baby is born?
- Telling the Boss You're Pregnant
- Will I have a burst of energy before my baby is born?
- Returning from Maternity Leave
With my first baby I was working for a company that started maternity leaves 2 weeks prior to your due date (and you still got 6-8 weeks after no matter what). I was so relieved. By that time, commuting to work was so hard on me (it involved a bus, two subways and a lot of stairs).
With my current pregnancy, I work from home and for myself so I am sure someone will pry my laptop away from me as I am being wheeled into the delivery room.
I was a bit obsessed with Twitter in labor. I even left a tweet a few minutes after she was born!
With my daughter, I worked until my due date but not after that. I felt like it was a good compromise at the time, but since she was two weeks over due, now I wish I had saved those days to be with the baby.
I totally get the baby being overdo and you twiddling your thumbs for 2 weeks. It gets really old really fast.
Like Catherine, I’m lucky enough to work for a company that provides two weeks off prior to birth, while still maintaining the 6 – 8 weeks post-partum leave (which isn’t nearly enough, but that’s another story…)
For both of my pregnancies, I chose to stop working one week prior to my due date. For me, that was the right choice. I used the time as a chance to wrap up loose ends at home, and just be calm. I became more centered and peaceful, which was a great benefit to me in labor.
SInce I work for myself and birth at home, I worked with my last two during labor, and was back on line within a few hours. Mostly because I was SO wired, and hubby was long since crashed, and here I was, alone and not the least bit sleepy in a quiet house with 4 or 5 other kids! I sure did get some work done lol.
I think spending those last few weeks focusing on yourself is really helpful. I took a whole month before my last baby and then he was 9 days over the ‘expected’ due date. I nurtured myself in preparation for several years of complete surrender to another person. I read, I wrote, I slept, I watched crappy daytime TV, I sewed. I did start driving myself crazy with Is today the day? I think I’d be doing that if I was at home or at home.
With my first I worked right up until I delivered. But with my second I am one week away from my due date and I’m going to go in for a few 1/2 days and then just enjoy my alone time with my first baby.
I live in Canada, where we get a year of maternity leave. We are allowed to start that leave when we are 30 weeks pregnant if we choose. I personally will work until I deliver, so I get the whole year with my baby, but it’s a really nice option for women who have rough pregnancies. In Quebec, which is not the province I live in, women can start maternity leave at 24 weeks gestation.
I live in Canada where maternity leave is for a whole year. We are allowed to start maternity leave at 30 weeks pregnant if we wish. I personally am going to work until I deliver, but it’s a really nice option for women who have rough pregnancies. In Quebec, which is not the province I live in, they can start maternity leave at 24 weeks gestation. I love Canada!
I was in college with my first and had a final exam on Wednesday and delivered on Saturday morning. 12 years later, I was working with my second one. I did work a 1/2 day on the day I was induced (due to size, he was induced 1 days post due date). I am planning to work upto when I deliver this time also (due September 17). I only get 6 weeks of maternity leave (unless I have to have a c-section, then I get 8 weeks) – and I can only get short term disability after the first 30 days! – So to keep the money coming in, I have to work as much as possible.