I'm due August 8. I was just wondering when is the best time to take your maternity leave. A week before or two weeks before? I'm just scared cause I don't want to be one of those people who start labor three weeks before there due date and still working. I don't want my water breaking while at work. When did you all start taking your maternity leave?? Also, what do you put in a bag to get ready for labor or just in case you go into labor?
2007-03-20 09:22:11 · 14 answers · asked by ~mother of 2 beautiful girls~ 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Your water only breaks at work in movies. No seriously, most water is broken in the hospital. Yeah sure it happens sometimes, but majority of it, no. I worked almost up to my due date with the second one, about a week before with the first. You want as much time off afterwards as possible. Wait and see how you are feeling closer to the time. You'll know when it's time to stop.
As far as what to bring. PJ's for you, going home clothes for baby. Sanitary pads (hospital ones usually suck!), a book, puzzle, etc..., labor items (music, item to focus on, etc...), slippers, pillow ( if you don't like hospital ones), camera, video camera (?), phone numbers, calling card (for long distance). And whatever else you can think of.
2007-03-20 09:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by punkin_eater26 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get your bag ready at least a month in advance. I was induced when I was 37 weeks because of fetal distress, and I was not ready. I asked if I could go home and pack my bag, but of course the doctor didn't let me leave. I had to make my husband a very detailed list of everything I wanted.
As for maternity leave, it's your personal choice, how comfortable you feel towards the end. I was still working at 37 weeks and had planned to work for one more because I was just tired and uncomfortable. Your water breaking is actually not very common, and the likelihood of it happening at a public place is very little.
On your bag, pack toiletries like shampoo, soap, razor, deodorant, etc. A lot of underwear, nursing bras and maybe a pair of pajamas or nightgown. For the baby, his going-home outfit, diapers, baby wipes, burp cloths and receiving blankets. I'm sure there are some things I'm not mentioning!
Oh, yeah, I was induced with my first and only child. First children don't necessarily come late. It's all on the baby!!
Best of luck!!!
2007-03-20 09:36:34 · answer #2 · answered by ilovethe90s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on how you are feeling and what you do for a living. In my case, I am a CNA, I worked 12 hour shifts and did alot of lifting and bending and was on my feet all day. I worked up until 8 months pregnant but after that my blood pressure was getting really high and my doctor wanted to put me on bedrest, plus I was just exhausted, so I went on my maternity leave (which ended up being maternity retirement, lol, I just couldn't bring myself to go back to work). If you are having a low risk pregnancy and you work somewhere less physical, like an office job, you can work right up until your due date as long as your comfortable and you have someone to cover you incase you go into labor.
As far as packing your bag:
find out what your hospital provides, my hospital would only let me wear the hospital gowns and that great mesh underwear stuff, blek, so no need to pack much.
-bring something very loose to wear home (you'll still look about 5 months pregnant and be really sore)
-toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, scruncie, chapstick)
- makeup if you're the time that won't face the public without it.
- something to keep yourself and your husband (if you're married) entertained, first labor can take forever (I brought books, magazines, cards, a small stereo- didn't have time to use them, but i imagine that would be helpful)
- a copy of your birthplan if you have one
-something for baby to wear home
-camera!!
good luck and congratulations!
2007-03-20 10:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by boo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where I am from you need to watch for maternity for two weeks and it then can nonetheless take as much as 28 days in your cash to get to you, why now not take your vacations as a pay out, this manner your final paycheck shall be tremendous and aid you get by way of the ready interval, you would fail to notice the final month of maternit although so I might seem into it, if now not, guide your holiday after which have the monday you might go back to paintings as your first day of maternity
2016-09-05 09:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wanted to wait until I basically went into labor to stop work...I had planned on this the whole time...however, I am now in my 8th month and getting very uncomfortable. It was a great plan until my 3rd trimester hit. I'm physically miserable at work. I am going to stop 2 weeks before my due date just because I physically can't do it. I'm exhausted. I'm swollen, I'm sore. I'm UNCOMFORTABLE! I thought I could go the whole time but I just can't. If I had the money (my leave is unpaid) I would stop working now!
I'll have less leave time available after the baby comes but I'm doing the best I can...I only get 12 weeks total...so whatever I take before baby comes, takes time away from after baby comes...BUT I JUST CAN'T DO IT!!!
Just listen to your own body.
2007-03-20 09:32:49 · answer #5 · answered by LittleRoo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am being induced on Friday. 3 more days! Today was my last day of work. I am a mother or 1 already and I worked on my due date with her. I really dont see any reason to take off work early unless you are having problems. It really just depends on what kind of work you do also. As far as the bag goes, you will need: night clothes, a comfy outfit to come home in (keeping in mind that you still wont be able to wear your skinny jeans just yet) your undergarments, shampoo, toothbrush, hairbrush, hair ties, baby book, video cam, camera with batteries, phone charger, deodorant.....Thats about it but some people want to take other things. Good luck!
2007-03-20 09:31:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am also wondering the same thing! I have heard from experienced maternity leavers...haha that they prefer to take an entire month prior to having baby off, but not using maternity, using disability, vacation time, or leave of absence instead, depends on what your job will cover you for i suppose. That way you have time off before baby but leaving early wont sacrifice your year after baby is born
2007-03-20 09:31:45 · answer #7 · answered by lin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get your bag ready around mid-July. You never know! Also, 1st kids are usually late - my first was 11 days late! I took leave 2 weeks before she was due and ended up using a bunch of my leave before she was even born!! If you're feeling good I would wait until a day or two before your leave - just so you don't use it up early!! Also depends on how you're doing - dilating, etc.
Good luck!!!
2007-03-20 09:27:05 · answer #8 · answered by Suzanne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm planning on starting to work from home about 7-10 days before my due date.
There is a great list on this website for what you should bring with you. Essentially, it's a "souped up" overnight bag.
2007-03-20 09:28:54 · answer #9 · answered by Waiting and Wishing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about it this way: the longer you stay working before baby comes, the longer you get to stay home with your baby!
As for the bag, you have a while to go yet, but here are some essentials:
couple pairs of granny panties (ones you don't care about ruining)
slippers, if you intend on walking during labor
brush
make-up (for after baby pictures, if that's your thing)
your own shampoo (the hospital usually gives you some,but i like my own)
baggy going home outfit
something to do during labor
baby's going home outfit
baby book (for footprints)
change of clothes for hubby (that's just being nice, lol)
camera
2007-03-20 09:30:40 · answer #10 · answered by duckygrl21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋