I'm due Jan. 9 and am a teacher. School resumes Jan. 5 from winter break. I will probably start my leave right before that only because it will make it easier on my sub to start the semester off with the kids. My Dr is also expecting me to deliver early (I'm high risk for multiple reasons and I delivered my son 2 weeks early though he tried to come 2 months early).
As long as you and the baby are healthy then the longer you work the better. I am 38 weeks and I still work 12 hour days on my feet as a vet tech. My doctor said it will keep me and the baby healthier and make delivery easier because of staying active. I'm a ftm so I have no clue what labor will be like for me but it makes sense. Also it has kept me from gaining a lot of weight in the last month like everyone said I would. Bosses at my job wanted to put me on light duty a few weeks ago but my doctor actually wrote me a note when I told him and it said that I was perfectly healthy to continue normal work. But only do what your body will let you do, don't push yourself. Not everyone's body is going to let them do that....
As of right now my last day of work is my due date but that is subject to change. My supervisors want me to stop working now but I am not due til sept 23rd. I work on an ambulance and my partner is my hubby so he takes care of me. But there is another girl at work whom is due sept 25th and is already on liggtr duty and working in the office instead of on the ambulance so I guess that is why all the bosses want me to give up and be lazy. Lol