Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by E. Louise on February 1, 2012 at 1:00pm

I had to leave a month before my baby's due date because of debilitating sciatic nerve pain (I'm on my feet for 12 hours as a nurse). So the decision was made for me.

I think it just depends how flexible your work schedule is (i.e. could you schedule all of your appts first thing in the morning, then go to work and stay later, or something like that, or do you have to be there certain times...) And how close you are to the place you'll be going for NSTs and appts.

Are you planning to go back to work after the baby is born? If so, you will probably want to stay at work as long as possible so that you'll have as much of your leave time with your baby as possible.

Permalink Reply by Holly Ramey on February 1, 2012 at 2:05pm

I've been trying to schedule my appointments early, during lunch, or really late as it is. But the amount of time I'm away from my desk is still too much for my sick time to keep up with. I'm roughly 15 minutes away from my doctor's office from work, but sometimes waiting in the lobby makes it a long appointment.

I'm actually planning to stay at home once the baby is here, so trying to save any time at work is not a priority.

Permalink Reply by E. Louise on February 1, 2012 at 3:51pm

If you're not going back to work anyway, why not go ahead and leave early? Sounds good to me! :)

Permalink Reply by Holly Ramey on February 1, 2012 at 4:12pm

Haha! I do have some projects at work that are depending on me being there until March at least. I think it would be easy to justify leaving as early as the beginning of May.

Plus, I haven't exactly told work that I'm not coming back. I just need to get some balls and do it. =/

Permalink Reply by kestrel on February 1, 2012 at 7:53pm

Ugh. Luckily my work schedule is VERY flexible right now -- I have loads to do, but can do it at 2AM if I want -- but my doctor is an hour away. NOT looking forward to twice weekly NSTs, though maybe I can get an OB closer to home to do them.

Are you quitting quitting, or taking FMLA leave? If you're just flat quitting, what difference does it make if you annoy your boss etc. by overstepping your sick time? Make the extra money while you can.

Permalink Reply by Holly Ramey on February 2, 2012 at 6:13am

I'm quitting quitting, putting a pause on career, what have you, etc. But yeah I want to stay as long as I can to get the most salary before my leave. I'll still get 6-8 weeks of disability pay, too, after I leave.

I just wish I had a manual on how to do this the right way. Even though I'm leaving, I definitely don't want to burn any bridges because I'd like to go back to work once the kid starts preschool in roughly 2 years or so.

Permalink Reply by Kate on February 2, 2012 at 2:20pm

Hi Holly! 40 weeks for me is February 27. My last day was last Friday, January 27. Like you, I'm done done with work :)

For me, that timing was just about right. At 34 weeks, I started seeing my perinatologist 2x/week, my endo weekly, and the OB every 2 weeks. It was just too much to juggle with work and I wasn't really focused on my job. I probably should have cut back to half time at around 34 weeks in order to get some more rest, but I just pushed through.

Good luck making your decision!

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 2, 2012 at 11:17pm

Yeah, I definitely wondered about this myself before having my own baby. My last day at work was 4 weeks before my due date (ended up being 3 weeks before baby's birth, as he came on his own a week early). However, the last 2 weeks that I did work I was able to get reduced and flexible hours. It was insane trying to fit in all the doctor's appointments! Also, I worked a fairly physical job, so in those last few weeks I really wasn't in a physical condition to be carrying out my job effectively anyway.

You'll probably just need to consider all of these factors and decide what will be best for you. Best of luck!

Permalink Reply by Super_sally on February 3, 2012 at 12:49am

My work is flexible, and also only 5 minutes from my home.

With my last baby I had a few weeks bedrest from week 35 - 37 1/2 and after that worked up until my waters broke (mind you, reduced hours) just 3 days later at 38 weeks on the dot. I was back a few days after giving birth - on flexitime - with the understanding that I do what's needed to be done.

This time will probably be the same, though hopefully without the bedrest. I can't afford not to be working and am lucky to be on a flexible schedule / work.

Good thing I'll be having my baby just before Easter and will have a week or so of leave anyway over Easter.

So far I'm 32 weeks and still on monthly appointments - with my next appointment in about a week. They haven't made any mention of NSTs. I pressume I would go to 2 weekly appointments after this depending how I'm doing.. will have to see... they don't seem very concerned about the diabetes. STill only see my endo monthly and he basically leaves the management completely up to me.

Permalink Reply by E. Louise on February 3, 2012 at 6:13am

As others have said, I think you will feel less focused on your job as it gets close to your due date anyway. I ended up being home for three weeks before my baby was born, and it felt about perfect (of course you can't predict when your baby will show up, though!) I was so tired at that point, too, that going to all those appointments (I was also going to physical therapy twice a week) was just about all I could handle. Good luck!