maternity leave now or later?

Question

I need help deciding if I should go on maternity leave or not...
I get 16 weeks paid leave. 
I'm currently 36 weeks. 
the past 2 days, i have had to leave work early due to swelling. just 2 hours of being on my feet, and my legs and ankles begin to swell. 
I really want to keep going, and prove to myself that I can work until the end. I thought I was doing so great. Until now. 
now I'm not so sure if its smart to work... I walk all day at my job. and it starts to hurt when my ankles swell. 
but I reallllly wanted all the time off with the baby. 😭 but at the same time, I dont want to risk harming myself or my baby...and maybe it's my body's way of saying to stop and rest. 
help? do you think it would be a good idea to maybe get some compression socks and continue working/walking on my feet 8 hours a day?

Answer

I have a job where I am on my feet and had to stop at 36.5 weeks. My body just couldn’t handle the long hours. I would come home in SO much pain. For me, it was the best decision. I have been home for 2 weeks now and have able to spend that time getting ready for little one to arrive and also get to enjoy more time with my 4 year old before her baby brother gets here. I say go for it!

Answer

Oh man that’s a lot of time on your feet I don’t know how you do it. I sit all day and I’m contemplating making Friday my last day as I’ll be 38 weeks Sunday but getting up early in the morning is getting harder as well as getting dressed and putting shoes on. I also planned to make it to the end but the way I feel at the end of the day it’s exhausting. 
I would ask your doctor and see what they say or try the compression socks as well as incorporating more breaks into your day.

Answer

Where do you live? In Ca you can get short term disability before your due date if you are having medical problems like this. And you get paid

Answer

I would talk to your dr and see what they recommend. I would hate to loose roughly 4 weeks of your maternity leave. Maybe you could go on medical leave until the baby comes? I know here in Canada a dr can recommend medical leave if they feel it is best for you or if you cannot safely complete your job and your employer can’t modify your position to comply with the drs recommendations. At least that way you could be off now but not dip into your maternity leave .. just a thought, I wish you luck though! 🤞😊💕

Answer

I’m on my feet all day and I’m powering through, 3.5 weeks till my due date! And I think I’m going to make it, I’m working till my due date or baby’s arrival. Whatever comes first! 
I’m Canadian and we get a year off, and I still want every second with my baby. I know if I go off work early I’ll just sit at home going crazy while I wait to go into labour! Working really helps the days go by for me

Answer

I only get 10 weeks paid, but I decided to take 2 weeks unpaid before the pay kicks in. I wanted to spend as much time with baby. I am 36+ 6 & Friday 2/22 was my last day. Honestly it became too much & i had to start putting myself first. Turns out we only get till Friday until baby comes. Im glad i stopped when i did.

maternity leave now or later?

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