When did you leave work before having your baby?

Question

I am a teacher and this is my first child. I'm trying to plan when I will leave work...I am due in the first week of March, so I'm thinking that I will leave after February break. When do you think I'llhave to stop working?

Answer 1

This is my first pregnancy too and I am due in February. I am planning on leaving January 7th. So, that gives me about 20 days before the due date to relax, set up baby room, and not stress about work. I teach 6th grade and leaving before or after a break is perfect for you, the kids and the sub.

Answer 2

I've known people who worked up until the day they had the baby. With my first child I stopped working one week before she was born. I wasn't working when I had my second. I think it really depends on how you are feeling and what kind of leave you'll be able to take. Is the February break early in the month? If so then you might want to go back for a couple of weeks, but if it is late in the month then that would probably be the ideal time to take off. You will probably want the time off more after the baby is born than before, so if you only get a limited amount of time off, then you should probably work as long as you are able before the baby is born.

Answer 3

Well, I haven't had my baby yet. He is due September 26th. But, I plan on working until about a week before my due date as long as he isn't born early or anything. I think you taking off in February is a good idea because it will give you time to rest. As long as you don't have any complications where the doctor tells you not to work I think you'll do fine.

Answer 4

I am a teacher too- and I would work right up to the due date. Why? You will have to pay back the district if you take more time than you have saved. I did that because our youngest had some stuff going on after she was born and took 12 weeks after she was born and left the day before I went into labor knowing labor was coming. We are still paying for it. Work up until the end though it is exhausting and that way you have more time to spend on your baby. Good luck!

Answer 5

I took off about a month before my daughter was due but I was having some complications I was planning on taking off about 2-3 weeks before my due date this time if I can make it that long. Beginning to Middle February sounds about right.

Answer 6

It varies for different people. I've known people who've worked up until the day they delivered. But I've also known people who were on bedrest at 20 weeks. It depends on how well you tolerate your pregnancy and whether or not you have complications. If you have no complications, then going on leave 2 weeks to a month early sounds reasonable. Since you are in a profession that will require you to be on your feet some and interact with children on a daily basis, you may need to evaluate your tolerance with that in late pregnancy. I work in telemarketing, so I'm sitting at a desk on the phone most of the day. Due to that, I'm planning on working until a week before my due date (unless complications arise.)

Good luck!

Answer 7

With my first I worked up until 4 days before I had her, I was a dental assistant at the time. With my second I worked up until about 2 weeks before I had him, I was working as a waitress in a busy cafe at the time. With my third I had to leave work about 2 months before I had her, I was doing CNA work at the time in a convalescent hospital, but I was having complications with that pregnancy.

It all depends on how well you are doing, and what your doctor says. To plan ahead, go ahead and assume that you will need 2 weeks prior to your due date. If your doc wants to put you on maternity leave sooner than that there is usually enough warning to give your employer.

Good luck, and congratulations!

Answer 8

I too worked right up intil all of my children were born. My thinking was that I want to spend as much time as I could with the babies after they were born and save money by working until they came.

What if your baby was two weeks late? Then you have used up an extra two weeks of your time you could have spent with this wonderful newborn, that you really don't want to leave anyway!

Answer 9

I worked until the day before going into labor with my last two. I was fortunate enough not to be working with the first two.
February break would be a perfect time.

Answer 10

If you plan on using family medical leave, you'll have to obtain a doctors note. Unless there is complications most doctors will not give the note until 36-38 weeks.