Maternity Leave

When is too early to take maternity leave?? My due date is february 7th. I am 34 weeks along and I have gestational diabetes. Due to the gestational diabetes I am having bad swelling. None of my shoes fit, I had to go up a size and buy a new pair of tennis shoes. I am a teacher who is up at 5:30 am and out the door at 6:15 am to be at school by 7:20 a.m. I am home by 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. I have an hour commute each way. I am on my feet all day long. I am starting to have some sciatic nerve pain and i believe I am having braxton hicks. My principal wont allow me to sit unless I have a note from the Dr. I have not asked him for a not yet, but I dont know if he will give me one... What to do?? I would like to start maternity leave starting January 25..I plan on taking 9 weeks.. Advice comments?? Help!

I would have asked for a note a LONG time ago. The principal cannot refuse to let you sit...  

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" When is too early to take maternity leave?? My due date is february 7th. I am 34 weeks along and I have ... [snip!] ... What to do?? I would like to start maternity leave starting January 25..I plan on taking 9 weeks.. Advice comments?? Help!"

What kind of school to do you teach in? I can't imagine being told I couldn't sit!

Yes, I probably should have. It was never an issue of me sitting until she approached me right before Christmas Break. She said it is not appropriate for me to sit while teaching. She said if i had a not it would be different story. I told the story to my ob, yet he didnt offer to give me a note. I believe next week I will just call the nurse and ask her for one.

I'm personally not planning on taking any leave until I give birth. I'd rather be able to be home with the baby and getting used to having 3 kids.

I'd have a stool or something to sit on in the classroom. A very easy modification that your principal shouldn't have an issue with (and I'm sure your OB would write a note for if absolutely necessary for the school's records)

I teach in a public school kindergarten through second grade.

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" Yes, I probably should have. It was never an issue of me sitting until she approached me right before ... [snip!] ... the story to my ob, yet he didnt offer to give me a note. I believe next week I will just call the nurse and ask her for one."

Is your principal new to administration?

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" I teach in a public school kindergarten through second grade."

I'm sorry but that is just unreasonable. I get that you need proximity and you can't be sitting 100% of the time. But there are plenty of opportunities where sitting is perfectly fine. I used to sit with my kids on the floor all the time. One reason I never, ever wore a skirt! Does your principal allow you to sit on a stool?

Quoting clay matthews:" I'm personally not planning on taking any leave until I give birth. I'd rather be able to be home with ... [snip!] ... shouldn't have an issue with (and I'm sure your OB would write a note for if absolutely necessary for the school's records)"

I was sitting in a rolly chair (computer chair). I hadnt planned on taking maternity leave early, untill now. I feel as if things are getting difficult (ie logistics at work, colder weather, tired, body aches)

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" Is your principal new to administration?"

This is her fourth or fifth year of being a principal. This is my second year teaching under her. I teach art. I have been told by other teachers in the district I am teaching for the toughest principal in the county.

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" I teach in a public school kindergarten through second grade."

Obviously you cant sit all day but sitting when you need to is acceptable. I teach technology k-5 and sit often as my pregnancy is getting advanced. My principal has never said a word. Get the note but I also would think about contacting hr if she pushes it.

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" This is her fourth or fifth year of being a principal. This is my second year teaching under her. I ... [snip!] ... her. I teach art. I have been told by other teachers in the district I am teaching for the toughest principal in the county."

Sounds like she must be. Luckily I've never had a principal to be that strict. Most of mine have been pretty laid back and one I became very good friends with and we're still friends to this day. It's a shame because one can be an effective principal without making his or her teachers miserable.

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" Sounds like she must be. Luckily I've never had a principal to be that strict. Most of mine have been ... [snip!] ... still friends to this day. It's a shame because one can be an effective principal without making his or her teachers miserable."

Yes, if you were me would you take maternity leave starting at 38 weeks
? Is that too early?

Quoting Amelia Margaret:" Sounds like she must be. Luckily I've never had a principal to be that strict. Most of mine have been ... [snip!] ... still friends to this day. It's a shame because one can be an effective principal without making his or her teachers miserable."

Yes, if you were me would you take maternity leave starting at 38 weeks
? Is that too early?

Quoting Whitney Wardlow:" Yes, if you were me would you take maternity leave starting at 38 weeks ? Is that too early?"

Yes I would if I had a principal like that. For your sake and your baby's.