When to start maternity leave?

Question

Hey ladies! 
For first time moms : when do you plan on starting your maternity leave ( days/ weeks before due date)? 
For seasoned vets: now when would you , if you had to do it all over again? 
I’m seeing posts where women are talking about being broke and not working well before their due date and it makes me nervous. Any friendly advice is appreciated 🤓❤️

Answer

I guess it depends where you are and what you qualify for? My last pregnancy I had 12 weeks of vacation/sick time saved up so I got 12 weeks with full pay. I worked the day I was induced so I could spend it all with my baby. This go round I have disability pay but it only covers about 6 weeks. I do have some sick time, but If I take the full 12 weeks of FMLA I will have about a month unpaid. I’m having a C-section so It’s scheduled, I’m going to take 2 days off before hand to spend time with my toddler, but I want as much time as possible with the new baby so I’m not taking any time off before hand.

Answer

I’m in Canada so we get 12-18 months paid at reduced rates. My first pregnant I went off at 37+3 and took a week of sick and a week of vacation to get my to 39+3 (which was a Friday) anyway, I ended up going into labour at 38+2 so was very happy I went off early. This time around I’m having twins and will be going off at 31 weeks with 2 weeks vacation plus 1 week sick so would be 34 weeks. I will be taking 18 months off this time.

Answer

FTM here and scheduled for induction next Saturday, 5/14. My last day of work will be 5/13. I work from home so that makes things a bit easier especially this late in pregnancy but I am beyond ready for the time off. I wanted to work up until I gave birth to ensure I get my full 12 weeks to heal and bond with my baby.

Answer

With my first, I took off ten days before I was induced. I wanted to relax and do laundry and what not before she arrived. I'm so glad I did cuz mentally I was so done at work. I'm now almost 28 weeks with my second and I'm a sahm this time around.

Answer

I’ve worked up until labor with both my kids. I’m currently on maternity leave with my second ❤️

Answer

I will start maternity leave when baby is born

Answer

I’m a barber, I thought I wanted to work until I gave birth but it’s getting so hard to stand all day and I have SO MUCH left to do to prepare at home (painting, washing, organizing, furniture setup) I’m deciding between 37&38 weeks to stop. I’ve gained 20lbs since the start of the pregnancy, but I have a stomach condition & am very underweight due to it, two years ago I was 40lbs lighter than this, and again with standing all day my ankles and hips are shot. I still throw up every day. I live in south fl, feels like it’s been summer here for a month already😩 
We are just trying to save as much as possible, I won’t be paid at all while I’m off!

Answer

I would take it the day of labor ( or in my case induction) I’m on week 9 and I’ve desperately needed all of the time. I’m still not ready to go back (12 weeks) because we are still figuring so much out.

Answer

I worked until my due date with the 1st and took two weeks off with my second. I had a toddler at home and I really just loved hanging out with him.
My job can be a little physical in patient care. I think both are fine. When I was home I busted my ass repainting & removing wallpaper in my bedroom so it wasn't a total vacation.

Answer

My first I was induced so obviously it was all preplanned. I was induced on a Monday, so I worked until the Friday before. This time I’ll work until I give birth more than likely. I’m a teacher and can’t afford to take off early let alone it’s just more work for myself to plan 🤣

When to start maternity leave?

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