when is it best to go on maternity leave?

Answer 1

my wife went when she started to get big but i think most doc. say after 9 mo. is good b/c most women work right up until they give birth

Answer 2

Go until your doctor says you shouldn't go anymore.

I live in California and I just found out that maternity leave starts the day you deliver your baby. A lot of new moms don't realize this and think that if they go on leave early, it cuts into their maternity leave -- not true. If you have some sort of disability like backahces, way too much swelling to the point where you can't function or an order for bed rest, your doctor can write you out for it and it won't affect your maternity leave.

Find out the laws in your state and what you're entitled to.

Good luck!

Answer 3

With my first baby, I worked until the day I had her. I was supposed to start leave the next day, but she arrived on what was supposed to be my last day of work. She was 4 days early.
It worked out ok because I was going to take 3 months off anyway. The only thing is, short-term disability takes two weeks pay as a waiting period and I only ended up getting 4 weeks of pay instead of 6 weeks.
Getting the most of your short-term disability is a real challenge.
With my second pregnancy, which was this year, I took off a week and a half before I had the baby and I loved it. It was a scheduled delivery.
I got almost all of the disability and returned to work when the baby was 6 weeks old. I took a total of 2 months. That seemed to work for me this time.
I'm glad I took the 3 months for the first baby because my post-partum was horrible. I bled for 2 months.
This time, it was a breeze and I was up and around the same day I had the baby. Bleeding stopped by one month.
It really depends on how much time you have to take off and what your short-term disability policies are. I would talk to someone else at work who has experienced your maternity leave policies and perhaps they can give you some pointers.

Answer 4

I took off two weeks before my due date, which was a good thing since I went into labor a week early. It really is up to you though, if you are really feeling the stress of the third trimester then you should take it easy. Some workplaces will accomodate you reducing your work day closer to your due date. Others require you to start your leave so that they can get a temp person to take over. Whatever you decide, get as much rest as possible now since you will be very tired once the baby arrives! Good Luck

Answer 5

get as much time in work as you can. I left for my 2 maternity leaves in my 8th month to relax.
If you and your pregnacy are in good health, stay at work as long as you want really.
Best thing to do is organize with your employer, give them ample time to cover you for the time you'll be gone (Canada maternity leave is 1 yr) (as a courtesy).

Answer 6

Not until you absolutely have to. I know ppl that worked up til they had the baby. Used maternity leave to be home the first month of the babys' life

Answer 7

I personally didn't go til flat out the day I had my daughter. lol Crazy I know!! I wanted to spend more time with her after she was born though and the program where I worked at gave you the same amount of time no matter when you went on leave. I would personally hold out as long as you can, but everyone is different.

Answer 8

It's really up to you and how you feel. I thought I was going to work until I came close to my due date but ended up having to leave because of severe back pain a month before I was due. Good thing I did because I had my daughter two weeks early. But you can stop working whenever you want, hopefully you have alot of money in the bank (smile).

Answer 9

I dont know. Most women go when therye in their 8th month. Since leave is only three months, they want to be home long enough for baby.

Iam a temp, so iam just not going to work again until iam ready and the baby is ready. I dont know how it works in the real world.

Answer 10

I work right up until I go into labor. That allows me to use all of my leave time for when the baby is here instead of before.

Answer 11

I would say if you can try waiting a week b/4 you have the baby, that way you have a week to rest and do any house work that needs to b done b/4 that baby comes.