A question for working moms...

Hi Ladies! Is anyone planning on taking time off before their little one gets here? I was planning on working up until my water broke but I've talked to several friends who have said they took time off before hand for themselves.. I kind of like this idea but then I'll be taking more time off unpaid. I have 6-8 weeks paid depending on if it's natural or c-section... so, I'm not really sure what I want to do..

Quoting AnGeLa_H.:“ Hi Ladies! Is anyone planning on taking time off before their little one gets here? I was planning on ... [snip!] ... time off unpaid. I have 6-8 weeks paid depending on if it's natural or c-section... so, I'm not really sure what I want to do..”

Eventhought I am not expecting anymore.. I decided to take off about a week before me due date just because I was so tired. Getting up and working all day was terrible and my back was killing me..

Yeah, I'm kinda of leaning that way now.. I was totally dead set on waiting until my water broke but I'm kinda liking the whole "me time"... my hubby is in the military and in school so I'd get some time to myself.. plus I like to fact of getting some extra things done around the house... I guess we'll have to see.. I've had a really easy pregnancy so far so I'm hoping it continues...

Your little one is ADORABLE by the way!  

I'm taking off 2 weeks before I'm due. Just so I'm not stressed and can just relax (as much as possible) and enjoy the last bit of "me" time before the big day!

I took the week off before my due date, because my Dr said I wouldn't make it that long~ I couldn't afford to be off any longer, so I went back to work for 2 more weeks. I had her on a Sunday & mt last day of work was the Friday before~ I was 42 weeks

Quoting Baby~Jack's~Mama:“ I took the week off before my due date, because my Dr said I wouldn't make it that long~ I couldn't afford ... [snip!] ... so I went back to work for 2 more weeks. I had her on a Sunday & mt last day of work was the Friday before~ I was 42 weeks”

Holy hanna... see, I'm afraid of that happening to me too.. oye vey.. decisions, decisions.. Maybe I'll work up until my due date, which is October 13th.. If I don't go by then.. then I'll take some time off..

Quoting AnGeLa_H.:“ Holy hanna... see, I'm afraid of that happening to me too.. oye vey.. decisions, decisions.. Maybe I'll ... [snip!] ... Maybe I'll work up until my due date, which is October 13th.. If I don't go by then.. then I'll take some time off..”

That might work~ I had no choice but to go back to work~ the week I took off was vaction & my job only paid for 6 weeks of maternity leave, so I would've been off for 2 weeks w/out pay &I couldn't handle that.

I didnt have PAID leave because i was only part time. but i took the full 12 weeks

You're so lucky that you get some paid time off. My work offers 12 weeks UNPAID, so I'm planning on working up until Halloween (I'm due Nov. 17). You probably will want at least a couple weeks off to just relax and enjoy what little time to yourself you have left.

Quoting AnGeLa_H.:“ Yeah, I'm kinda of leaning that way now.. I was totally dead set on waiting until my water broke but ... [snip!] ... to see.. I've had a really easy pregnancy so far so I'm hoping it continues... Your little one is ADORABLE by the way!  ”

thanks mama!yea I didnt have any morning sickness and my back didnt start bothering me tillmy 9th month.. good luck.. do what feels right for ur body

I'm taking the full 4 weeks before i deliver and the 6 to 8 weeks after..   and its paid for... (i go on maternity leave in 3 weeks!!) WOO HOO!!!

Quoting Kimberly [MAEK's Pres]:“ I'm taking the full 4 weeks before i deliver and the 6 to 8 weeks after..   and its paid for... (i go on maternity leave in 3 weeks!!) WOO HOO!!!”

okay... now.. i need your job, lol.. where do you work? haha.. and are they hiring? must be nice!

Quoting AnGeLa_H.:“ okay... now.. i need your job, lol.. where do you work? haha.. and are they hiring? must be nice!”

Its a small company... (there is only a total of 4 of us...) And when i leave there is only gonna be 3 people.. haha

nope.. not hiring..   Maybe after i get back from maternity leave.. if i can find a better job!! hahaha.. but you would have to come to california to get my job.. hahaha.. Even though there are offices in PA i think!!

Oh, i work for a staffing service... Like Apple One.. But i'm an internal employee.. not one that goes out on assignments..

and its not my company that is paying my maternity leave.. its EDD.. Its disability insurance... And from what I understand, pretty much everyone is elidgable!!

hah, I got laid off recently.
So I get employment insurance at 55% of my income up until my due date (in 3 months)

And then once my due date comes, or the baby comes, which ever happens first, I get 1 yr of paid maternity leave- 6 months at 70% of my work income, and then 6 months at 55%

So REALLY, you should just move to Canada  

Quoting AnGeLa_H.:“ Hi Ladies! Is anyone planning on taking time off before their little one gets here? I was planning on ... [snip!] ... time off unpaid. I have 6-8 weeks paid depending on if it's natural or c-section... so, I'm not really sure what I want to do..”

Also, on the thought of taking leave early
A lot of women enjoy having the extra time to themselves to get last minute things ready, but most women I've talked to said that now they have no excuse to not sit there and analyze every little twinge and feeling thinking, "is THIS labour?" So they recommend staying as late as possible at work unless you have a ton of stuff that will keep you occupied until the baby comes.