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I teach 7th and 8th grade, too. I didn't plan to just work until 36 weeks but that just happened to be when the school year ended. There were times I wished the school year was still going because I was out of my mind with boredom. It's really hard to relax, etc when you are so uncomfortable and just waiting, waiting, waiting. I made freezer meals, cleaned my entire house top to bottom and was generally in a piss poor mood. My situation is different though because I have a full time aide and my class sizes are average of 15.
Basically, the end of pregnancy sucks no matter what. Now that my LO is here, I would have regretted using time that could have been spent with him. Like I said, my teaching situation is different. What about a compromise and work until 39 weeks?

I think your OB is right. I went on leave at 39 weeks because of being stressed out & was induced at 41 weeks. I regret taking leave early and wish I had kept working. For this second baby, I plan on working right up to labor. Plus, there really is a difference between a 9 week old and a 12 week old baby. I'd much rather spend my time with the actual baby and just power through a few more weeks of class.

I worked as a teacher with my first two pregnancies. With my first pregnancy, I worked until my duedate, and my OBGYN excused me from work until I was induced. I'm not sure if that actually affected my FMLA, but I did go back to work at 11 weeks, and had the month of June to work. With my son, I worked until he was born at 37 weeks a 1 day (in fact I had planned to call in sick the next day and had sub plans laid out... whoops! talk about caught red handed!)

As much as it might suck starting a unit you can't finish, it'll be even worse waiting for baby to come if he or she is super late! Can you imagine if you made it to 41 weeks and just at to sit around at home over analyzing each twinge and twitch? And, I will say, my students and fellow teachers were super duper nice to me towards the end, so maybe it'll be easier than you think!

@buttermilk: That sounds so hard, I can't imagine being at the end of pregnancy and a pastry chef! I totally agree though, sitting at home with nothing to do is so much worse, I hope baby comes any day now.

@buttermilk: I hope your baby gets ready soon!!!

@DesertDreams88: I fully agree with the others. The end is terrible, but sitting at home bored and just waiting is way, way worse. Your coworkers and students will make the time go much faster.

I am sure you have thought of this, but is there any way you can use sick days for those two weeks? In my district you can take 20 days immediately preceding the due date and 20 days immediately following in addition to your FMLA.

If not, I would probably go back for those 2 weeks to have the extra time with the baby afterwards.

Sounds like the ideal situation would be to go into labor right at 38 weeks, so... break out the breast pump and drink some castor oil right before your break ends? fwiw I worked until the bitter end and it was tough but I was glad I held out to have the full time on the other end with my baby. And I went over my due date which was miserable but at least I was still earning money and keeping my mind somewhat occupied.

Not a teacher, but in higher Ed with a similar holiday break and due date

I have JUST enough leave to cover 12 weeks of FMLA, so I dont want to take any more (local laws allow up to 16 unpaid).

I'm hoping baby wants to come early so I don't have to work for a week and a half after break. Or that maybe my OB will say I shouldn't commute (I drive 1 hr+ each way) by that point

Agree with others. Although it's so hard to be pregnant and working at the end, having a newborn and working is even tougher. I wish we didn't have to make choices like this! ️