https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:51:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784786 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:27:26 +0000 ShootingStar 2784786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my 2nd I had prodromal labor from 37-39 weeks, and then a repeat C at 39 +1. I sort of worked from home for that time and I was really glad I didn't have to go into work, since I basically spent all day feeling like I was in labor. And with my first I was bordering on pre-e and miserable and couldn't work after a certain point. </p> <p>So anyways, I needed those weeks before giving birth and I wouldn't regret time to rest and prepare as long as it was financially feasible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784784 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:19:48 +0000 hellobear 2784784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i took all 4 weeks off for my first and i’m so glad i did! (also in CA so covered 60% of my pay during my 4 wks pre, then 18 wks post (partial paid leave that doesn’t come out of your PTO bank!!!)... i also supplemented with some PTO i saved for the remainder of the 6 wks job protected but unpaid leave). you can check to see if you can use your sick or vacation leave to supplement if you need to but we just planned to have a reduced income during my mat leave and I wouldn’t have done it any other way :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784752 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:46:54 +0000 wrkbrk 2784752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: I worked until the day before my induction at 40.5 weeks. </p> <p>BUT if I had the choice, I definitely would have taken maybe a week beforehand to rest and organize and whatnot? To me, a month would have been too long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784741 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:21:01 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2784741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the same 4wk option &amp; chose to go out at ~3 wks before my due date. I ended up going into labor on my due date &amp; loved having that time to prepare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784739 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:13:50 +0000 MsBAM 2784739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not in the States but I took about two weeks vacation off before my due date and would have loved to have more time off by the end, but I was trying to save my time off for when the baby was born. I was so exhausted and ready to be done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784699 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 06:24:39 +0000 Pumuckl 2784699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: I would use it if you cannot use it PP. And studies have shown that not working for the last weeks of pregnancy to have a positive effect on baby's weight and mom's health</p> <p>I live in a country were maternity kicks in 6 weeks prior to your EDD and while it might be a little boring hanging out at home it is also really nice to enjoy a book, go for a swim, DIY/craft or binge watch a show. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784681 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 22:58:58 +0000 Corduroy 2784681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went out at 38 weeks for LO1 and 36 weeks for LO2. I don't regret it at all and I had absolutely no guilt about the financial aspect. </p> <p>I had some guilt about leaving my team in a lurch at work but in the end I thought it was really good for my employer too. I was able to wrap things up at work with a specific target date. My team had a few weeks to figure things out with my limited assistance (technically not allowed) before I was of no use to them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784639 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:00:06 +0000 DesertDreams88 2784639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @looch: I wouldn't have used it with my first, I drove myself crazy with going just a week overdue and being stuck at home waiting for baby (I had everything done on my "baby list" weeks in advance because that's just me). Now, with a 2nd pregnancy, I'd like maybe 2-3 extra weeks beforehand to spend some more time with LO#1, as long as it didn't cost extra money or take from postpartum time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784630 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:20:18 +0000 birdofafeather 2784630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also in CA and it was use it or lose it. I went out at 37 weeks with my first due to a break in busy season and i loved it. Had her at 39w3d so glad i didn’t wait longer and still would have found something to fill in more time if needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784625 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:00:16 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2784625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh reading all these makes me feel like I missed out (technically am still missing out right now) on those lazy almost 4 weeks! I am happy to no longer be pregnant and have my sweet little girl here, but jeez I had a lot I wanted to do, including a fair amount of NOTHING! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784624 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 16:58:21 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2784624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: Well, this hits close to home for me! Of course my experience is no clue for how yours will go, but it could at least remind you of the options of how it could go. </p> <p>First: went out at 36 weeks, I decided since those 4 weeks disability were "use it or lose it", and I hoped that maybe he would come a little earlier than my EDD. Plus my job is pretty physical. I did start swelling a lot and get really uncomfortable after i went on leave, so I don't know how that would have gone if I kept working. But, he wasn't born till his due date, so those last 4 weeks were long and went by slow!</p> <p>Second: Born 10/27 (10d old today!). Which was supposed to be last day of work, at 36wks and 1d. I went back and forth on this, agonizing about if I should work a little longer. I ultimately decided to work one extra day past my DD, and then use a week of educational leave, so that my official maternity leave started at 38 weeks. Well, that obviously didnt happen, and I had nothing ready! We were so extremely unprepared, and I had so many nice thing planned with my son to enjoy the first few weeks of maternity leave while this baby was supposed to be still cooking! </p> <p>So my vote is, maybe work an extra week or so past 36 weeks, but remember that it is always a possibility that baby could come early! : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784616 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 16:27:30 +0000 Littlebit7 2784616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here in nj we have the same set up. I took the full 4 weeks with my first and I don't regret it. I ended up delivering two weeks late so I was off a long time...but still happy I did. I have a physically demanding job involving patient care and lifting/transferring. It got to the point where it wasn't safe for me or the patient (patients have to trust you...they weren't trusting my preggo belly)<br /> If you can swing it financially, I'd say do it. No one gets a medal for working up until your water breaks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784612 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 16:20:00 +0000 KT326 2784612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: I'm in CA too. With my first I didn't take it but my doc pulled me out at 36 weeks and I had the baby at 37+5 sonit really didn't matter. </p> <p>For my second I took the full four weeks. It was amazing to not have to rush anywhere. I could take my son to preschool and go back home and rest. I didnt feel guilty at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784595 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:56:22 +0000 avivoca 2784595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I had it available, I would have taken some of it for sure. As it was, I worked until my due date and then sat around for another two weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784591 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:52:06 +0000 Meowkers 2784591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: no you can't use the time afterward unfortunately. It's use it or lose it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784584 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:43:04 +0000 Purpledaisy 2784584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in CA and I took the full 4 weeks before my first was born and it was amazing. With my second I wasn't able to and worked up until my CS and I really missed having the 4 weeks off. If you can take them I definitely would do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784582 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:38:51 +0000 Mrs. D 2784582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in Canada, so I didn't have any qualms with starting my leave 4 weeks before my due date. I would have gone longer, but I worked in retail at the time and my feet were swelling to such a point that only my sneakers with the laces as loose as they would go would fit at that point, lol.</p> <p>This time (yay!) I'm due in July. I'm also a teacher now, and we will be a few weeks into summer vacation, so I don't have anything to worry about! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784581 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:37:51 +0000 looch 2784581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was mandated to take off 10 weeks before my due date, but I got a special exception to work an additional 4 weeks and bring it down to 6 weeks.</p> <p>It was way too much time considering it was my first baby, but if I were ever in the position to have a second, I would have signed out at 10 weeks, lol, just to get that last little bit of time with my first born before the second born entered the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784579 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:35:57 +0000 Shantuck 2784579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took off 2 weeks before my due date with my second but I was given 2 paid weeks without it counting toward my leave for once the baby arrived. It was actually instrumental in making me feel ready for the baby. With kid #1, I had so much more time to get the nursery ready, etc. but it was so much harder with kid #2 to find the time. It was great to send him to school during the day for those two weeks while I made tons of freezer meals, set up the nursery, etc. I actually vowed that I would take off time before the baby even if I didn't get the paid bonus time that I got last time. I felt as rested and organized going into childbirth as was possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784576 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:34:34 +0000 Raspberry 2784576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If taking 4 weeks off doesn't reduce the amount of time you can take postpartum, and you are ok financially to do so, I would do it.</p> <p>Please don't feel guilty about "doing nothing" at home because I doubt that you will. I know I would be spending a lot of the time prepping freezer meals, unpacking and rewashing old baby clothes and gear, shopping to stock up the house and spending time with my only child. And don't discount sleeping while you still can to save up energy for the newborn! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784572 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:26:22 +0000 shabang 2784572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took time off before my second, mostly to get some quality time in w/ my first. There was a cost, but I don't regret it for a moment. </p> <p>With my first, I worked up until 41 weeks and my scheduled induction. I was a frazzled mess trying to tie up loose ends. </p> <p>The second time, I went into everything more prepared, and more calm. It was worth the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784568 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:22:59 +0000 Bluebonnet 2784568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: My company maternity leave starts 2 weeks before your due date (in my state). I thought it was the perfect amount of time - enough to get things done at home and rest, but not so much time that I was bored.</p> <p>I'm not sure I would have taken the time off if my maternity leave wasn't paid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784565 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:18:17 +0000 MaryM 2784565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I won't have this option because we don't have paid maternity leave and I'll barely have enough leave to cover my time off after the birth...but I'm hoping to maybe be able to talk my bosses into letting me telecommute more during the last month. My commute is up to two hours, and it's already kicking my butt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784564 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:16:21 +0000 jhd 2784564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I planned to work until I went into labor. I stopped at 39 weeks and LO arrived at 41 weeks. I had very few paid days saved up, but I’m glad I stopped work when I did. I was exhausted and spent lots of time resting before baby came. Full disclosure: I didn’t go back to work at all. I’m a teacher and he was born at the April so I wasn’t expected to be back before the end of school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784561 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:11:33 +0000 Ajsmommy 2784561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 weeks?!?!? Wow, nice. If you don't use it before can you tack it on after?? If so I'd do 1-2 weeks before, I think 4 weeks is quite a bit.... unless you have lots to do or get done before hand? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784558 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:00:55 +0000 Meowkers 2784558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@smocks: it's state law in California. 4 weeks disability leave before due date, and 12 weeks after (half disability, half paid family leave.) total of 16 weeks with some pay. My employer allows 6 months maternity leave (cumitively) but some of that would be unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784554 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:52:27 +0000 smocks 2784554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 weeks? That wasn't an option for my work, we got 2 weeks before due date off. I was good with those 2 weeks off (and went early both times) but I think I would have been driven crazy if I took 4 weeks, OR if I went past my due date. It was all I could think about all day every day. Work was a nice distraction and at that point I wasn't doing much challenging work to stress myself. I wouldn't want 4 weeks less at the end of my leave though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784544 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:38:46 +0000 gingerbebe 2784544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 38 weeks with my first, thinking 2 weeks was enough time to rest up and what not, but my water broke 5 days later and DS1 was born at 39 weeks after a failed induction and emergency C-section.</p> <p>DS2 was going to be an RCS scheduled at exactly 39 weeks, so I left at 36 weeks to give myself 3 weeks to prep or be ready if my water broke early. He made it to his surgery date, but I had BH and mucus plug loss the last few days and I was glad to be home. The other 2 weeks I cleaned, organized, and prepped our house from top to bottom and cooked a bazillion freezer meals and felt amazing. </p> <p>I had 50% pay for that period, but we have a 7 day waiting period (which means I had to use a week's vacation time for the first week I took off), so it wasn't really that much money in the long run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-regrets-taking-time-off-before-due-date#post-2784540 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:33:30 +0000 Meowkers 2784540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone regret taking the permitted 4 weeks disability leave prior to their due date?</p> <p> I didn't take any time off before my due date with my first. However, this second pregnancy is kicking my behind. I'm exhausted all the time and barely functioning by the end of the day.....and I'm only 6 months along. Strongly considering taking 4 weeks off before hand but feel guilty about our family loosing money while I do.......nothing at home. </p>