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733930 tn?1286571409

For woman who worked during their pregnancy.

At what week did you start your maternity leave? Do you regret not going sooner or waiting longer? And how long did you take off of work before returning? What kind of job did you have? (sitting or standing)
24 Responses
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492921 tn?1321289896
I work two jobs 6 days a week so far the hotel job where I sit for 8 hours is hardest. I work graveyard so not much to do. I'm also a bartender and work 9-10 hour shifts on my feet and most the time I don't get any breaks. I am worried that once I get further along it will be difficult to work the long hours. I don't get any paid leave so the time I take off depends on how much I'm able to save.  I don't plan on going back to the hotel job though.  
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Avatar universal
I didn't go on "Maternity Leave" per se. I stopped working on December 31 ( that day was my 28 week anniversary) and didn't allow them to renew my contract (I'm a consultant, I get a contract every year). They didn't want to give me Maternity Leave anyway, nor FMLA, nor anything so I was like screw you lol
I was very active. It was a computer job but I had to run around going to meetings, getting stuff faxed, etc etc. I'm glad I stopped working, now I have free time to get ready for my baby and enjoy with my husband some alone time
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Avatar universal
I went on Maternity leave at 35 weeks. I work at a children's gym so it was very difficult for me to work till then but I would do it all over again.
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Avatar universal
Hi everybody

Just wondering, I hear most of you talk about 6 weeks, is this maternity leave? I live in South Africa and believe you me maternity leave here is full 4 months, fully paid and there it's a high risk pregnancy you can even have more months. Those days don't include all other kinds of leave you can take. Like your annual leave, family responsibility leave, sick leave and so forth. I think 6 weeks is not enough to bond with the little one. Can anyone explain how it works or if I've heared right.
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342988 tn?1299782356
oh and i took all 12 weeks of maternity leave because i saved up so much time off, like 30 full paid days and then i used my short term disability for the rest.
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342988 tn?1299782356
i worked the day i had him.  i was 38 weeks and 1 day and i got a phone call that my kidneys werent working and i had to go in for an emergency birth. but because i was feeling good during my pregnancy, i scheduled my leave to start at 39 and 1/2 weeks i think.  if i didnt get preclampsia i probably would have made it.

it honestly depends on what kind of pregnancy you have and what starts to happen towards the end of your pregnancy.

i was the manager of a group home for adult men with substance abuse issues.  so it was a high demanding job also.
Helpful - 0
145992 tn?1341345074
I was going to work up until the end since my company didn't offer FMLA and I was only going to be paid for 6 weeks.  However, it didn't work that way for me, I had to leave work at 36 weeks because I was so swollen, they were afraid I would get preeclampsia.  So they made me stay home and put my feet up.  I didn't give birth until 41 weeks and I just had to deal with having no pay.  I was actually glad that they took me out of work when they did.  I was in so much pain at that point, my swelling was so uncomfortable and I was so tired.  It felt good for the extra rest.
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1161848 tn?1275476184
wel i'm expecting my 1st child and i think i'm going on leave on the 35th week on wards. im taking 4 month its all unpaid but im not worried
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1023501 tn?1254833158
Hello!  I'm in the military and, unless something is wrong, we work up until the day we go into labor.  After labor, we get 6 weeks off from the day we leave the hospital.  I'm at 33 weeks and I work in front of a desk all day!  It *****, sitting here makes my back hurt all day!

We do get certain incentives, though.  Like for example, after 28 weeks we're only allowed to work no more than 40 hours a week.  Around week 38 or so, the doctor might chose to give us 20 hours a week.  That depends on how your pregnancy is going though.  My pregnancy has been 100% healthy!  But I'm hoping for my 20 hours a week!  Haha.
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478429 tn?1265244387
I went off work at 33wks...I'm a massage therapist and the job is very physical and puts way too much strain on the body in the first place, let alone being 8months pregnant lol! I had hoped to work until 36wks, but it's just physically impossible! My work doesn't have really any set rules for maternity leave and such, so it's just basically when I want to go back - I also don't get paid...I'm wondering if I'm eligible for unemployment though??
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202436 tn?1326474333
I voted 38-40 weeks.  With my first pregnancy I was actually AT Work the day I ended up having her.  I went to work and left for my regular check up, they did an u/s and determined I needed a c-section THEN, I had to call my boss and tell him I wouldn't be back.  I went back after 1 month.  


With my last pregnancy I worked up until wk 39.  I started my leave about 5 days before I was induced.  I went back to work after a month, but worked half days and took the baby with me until he was 6 weeks and could go to daycare, then I went to full time again.

Both jobs were in an office setting so there wasn't a lot of standing or walking or straining.  
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792540 tn?1285186997
with my son i went at 35 weeks and my waters broke they day after i went on leave but i worked 40 hrs a week on my feet all day! and with pregnancy i started leave wed due to high blood pressure but i was going on leave today anyway at 32weeks and again in this job o work 35 hrs and im always on my feet
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368785 tn?1270432283
I went on at 31 weeks, but that was because I was put on bed rest. I would have gone longer if I hadn't been.
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Avatar universal
Well I think what she is trying to say is she can not afford to stay out for more than 2 weeks and does probably not have STD or LTD! When I had my son I only got paid 6 weeks on STD and took 6 additional weeks unpaid! But at that time I was living with my parents and I could afford it. This time I don't know how it will work out! I am hoping for the best! And my Dr. would not let me out on Maternity Leave until my due date crazy isn't it!
I feel your pain! Giving you only two weeks off must be crazy for you emotionally and not offering you at least STD! But what can we do we gotta feed our kids we have a responsibility!

Thanks

Tina
Helpful - 0
1124350 tn?1291943828
Im a CNA, so im on my feet and lifting, with my 1st i didnt take leave until a week before she was born. now almost due with my 2nd my dr put me off at 30 weeks a little early for me,which i get to spend some extra time with my 1st before the 2nd baby gets here. But you may want to talk with you dr 1st to see what is best. with my 1st i took the 12 week of FMLA that my work has. with this one im not sure, may not even go back. lol  best of luck.
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1161604 tn?1388875598
thats ok then!lol!was a bit worried then as i didnt mean 2 offend you!lol! :)
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Avatar universal
No, not at all. I figure that :o)
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1161604 tn?1388875598
im sorry i forget that most of u are from the US!i hope i havent offended you in any way! x
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Avatar universal
Thanks.....I know I am allowed to take 6weeks off after having a baby but it is NOT payed here in the US. I do not get pay time off here at my work, we are a very small company.....So I am lucky that they do this for me...
Helpful - 0
1161604 tn?1388875598
how come you are struggling to get 2 weeks off paid?a work place is not legally allowed to let u work untill 2 weeks so if they make you go back before they are breaking the law!also every woman is entitled to maternity pay up to either 9 months or it might be a year now providing you have been in the same job for 6months and still be able to go back to the same job and hours!you need to look in2 this x
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470885 tn?1326329037
My last day olf work was yesterday - and I"m 39 weeks.  I also worked right up to the end with my first child.  

I work in an office where I do a desk job....so it's not very taxing physically (although I did find both times that sitting for long periods of time in front of the computer got a bit hard in the end.....but I just got up and took lots of breaks and I was fine).

I was late with my first, delivering at 41 weeks and I was glad that I didn't go off any earlier than I did - the waiting was hard.  This time, it remains to be seen whether or not I go late (I'm due on Tuesday) - if I do, I'm thankful to at least have had a couple of days to relax at home.  

Personally, I love going to work, so being there right up until the end was a no brainer for me....and I was fortunate enough to be well enough to do so, as well - I realize that some women have now choice but to take time off earlier.
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Avatar universal
With my first son I worked up intill the day I had him ((retail)), I did plan on taking my 6week off but the store close 4weeks later so I got on unemp. intill I found a new job.

With my 2nd son, I plan an induce day. I worked up intill that day (( Dental Office)) I only took 2weeks off, I wish I could have had at the least one more week at home, but you have to do what you have to do.....
  
With this one, I will prob do the same as above. At this time I really have to work. And I'll prob only take 2 weeks off again, if they give it to me payed like before, other wise I will be back to work that week....But on the brighter side, sometimes its just easier to be at work then at home taking care of soon to be 3boys! lol

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi! My Dr. would not let me go on Maternity until my due date when I was pregnant with my son. I delivered him a week later! At 5.4 feet i was carrying a 10.4 pound baby. My feet where killing me though. :)))
I am now expecting again and if everything turn out ok I plan to do the same thing.

Thanks,

Tina
Helpful - 0
1161604 tn?1388875598
hi!i went on maternity leave at 35 weeks with my first baby!i am now pregnant with my 2nd baby and i am hoping 2 work till at least 37 weeks!everyone is different tho and its often a good idea to w8 untill you are heavily pregnant to see how feel before u decide completely!gd luck
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