https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 15:45:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412806 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:55:48 +0000 Kemma 2412806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had planned to work full time until starting my leave at 36 weeks but I reduced my hours during my last week at work due to complications with my pregnancy.</p> <p>@daniellemybelle: I took a nap with my toddler just about everyday during my second pregnancy, glorious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412773 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:36:41 +0000 catomd00 2412773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes of course! I worked from home a bit more at the end but it was mAnageable. I went into labor 2 weeks early which helped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412650 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:35:51 +0000 Legowife 2412650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked up until the week before, but of course LO came a week early. I'm hoping to conceive number 2 this year and would like 2 weeks off before my due date this time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412580 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:47:44 +0000 alphagam84 2412580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. I was scheduled for an induction on a Tuesday due to being overdue so I made my last day the Friday before to make it easier in case I went into labor over the weekend. I would have gone crazy at home waiting and I'd rather save my time off for when the baby is actually here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412306 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:07:51 +0000 daniellemybelle 2412306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I worked sometimes 60+ hours per week until one week before my due date. It was a desk job and some women have it much, much worse but I am glad I will be a SAHM for my next pregnancy. It was hard! Though I hope and pray LO is still taking naps when I am pregnant again or else that is basically a full time job too :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412271 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:45:19 +0000 mamabolt 2412271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until I was 40w6d, then went into labor that night. I wanted to save all my time for after the baby was here since I had no maternity leave - only my paid vacation and sick time. I work a desk job and was able to be at home the last few weeks though.</p> <p>With this pregnancy I plan to do much the same, although I have a new job where I don't have to use my vacation time as part of my maternity leave, so I may take a day or two of vacation in the days leading up to LO's arrival depending on how I'm feeling. Somehow the idea of sitting and doing nothing is much more appealing now that I have a 3 year old at home... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/3#post-2412103 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 00:15:22 +0000 Portboston 2412103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. I was planning on taking 2 weeks off before my EDD (use it or lose it with my company) and LO decided to come exactly two weeks early. Apparently he didn't want me to have any down time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2412067 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 23:16:26 +0000 matador84 2412067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes with both. I was a teacher. I actually worked up until I had them, I didn't want to use any of my days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2412029 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:28:51 +0000 californiadreams 2412029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>with my first i worked until 2 days past my due date. i have a job where i sit down all day too, it just got hard at the end because i had to focus on writing reports and i was seriously sleep deprived. and i was sick.</p> <p>with my current (second), i am starting my leave 3.5 weeks before my due date and i can't wait! i am finding it more difficult maybe because i am more busy at work and i have toddler at home. and we moved a few months ago and i still have tons i want to get done before the baby comes, so those 3.5 weeks actually seem short to me! I have also been sick for a month. i also want time to netflix and chill and to have days for my toddler and me to spend together (he is in preschool full time now, so i can keep him there when i am getting stuff done and pull him out for "mommy and LO" days. so i guess that's why 3.5 weeks seems like not enough for everything i want to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2412007 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:56:05 +0000 Ms. RV 2412007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until the Friday before my due date (which was a Monday). I was working up to nine hours a day, walking around the factory everywhere, even walking laps at lunch! Though when I needed a break I took it (and was able to). One of my department's labs is super air conditioned (I was due in early August) and sometimes I would just sit there for five minutes. Being on my feet all day wasn't so bad, but I would get waves of exhaustion and it was nice to have the type of job where I could take breaks whenever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411968 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:34:03 +0000 lady baltimore 2411968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I told my boss I would be at work until 40+5 unless I had the baby first. I delivered LO at 39+5, and worked the day before (also a teacher, and I was on my feet, up and down the stairs, and sitting on the floor with the kids right up until the end). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411908 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:49:18 +0000 Canoli 2411908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I did for both of my pregnancies. Hopefully will do the same for this one too. I want all the time I can get after baby arrives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411809 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 19:11:21 +0000 Littlebit7 2411809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: yes this is what I did. Sometimes NJ gets some things right, like paid family leave insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411738 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:47:35 +0000 wrkbrk 2411738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: Yep. I worked up until Friday November 20th and had him on Monday the 23rd! My mat leave started that day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411723 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:27:41 +0000 ChitownRo 2411723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, worked until 2 days overdue with DS. This time, I'm due in one week and am still working (but now work part time, only 3 days per week)<br /> I'm a NP and actually spend most of my time sitting - those exam chairs are clutch. I don't do procedures, so it's all good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411720 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:21:51 +0000 MrsRcCar 2411720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. I worked both times right up delivery. I worked a desk job in a medical office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411719 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:21:43 +0000 LuLu Mom 2411719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first one, I literally worked the Friday before giving birth on Monday. my second, I took off Wednesday and had RCS on Friday. I used that 2 days to get house in order and ready and spend a last full day date with my daughter before her world got rocked! I only had 12 weeks non-paid, I wanted to spend my days with my newborn! I do work a desk job though and have a very understanding boss. I would head down to our cushy pumping room and use the recliner to put my feet up and work from my laptop to relax if I needed it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411712 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:14:38 +0000 peaches1038 2411712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did! Had to save that time! I'm a physical therapist, which means on my feet all day. Went to work Friday and had him Saturday! I think keeping active helped make my medfree delivery so easy and quick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411700 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:02:40 +0000 pinkcupcake 2411700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: wow 2 hours! That's impressive :) My supervisor was famous because her water broke while she was on the record in court - and she was determined to not get a continuance so she kept going even though the judge was like, umm...counsel?... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411551 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:23:43 +0000 DesertDreams88 2411551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I posted about this when my OB first resisted early leave, and got lots of great feedback:</p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-start-leave-before-baby-comes-teacher-style#post-2259461" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-start-leave-before-baby-comes-teacher-style#post-2259461</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411549 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:23:04 +0000 birdofafeather 2411549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With DD1, I was at an office job and went off 3 weeks before my due date because of the slow holiday season and in CA, we can get disability up to 4 weeks prior to due date which is use it or lose it. With DD2, I was now full time photography and I shot a wedding 3.5 hours away from home less than 2 weeks before she was born. It was fine!</p> <p>ETA: but I was stressed about missing that wedding my whole pregnancy. It was booked before I found out I was pregnant so given the choice, I would have had more time before my due date for a wedding but those things can't be changed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411545 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:21:31 +0000 babypugs 2411545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely! My job is a mix of desk work and running around, so I always had time to rest, and I had a pretty healthy and active pregnancy. I left work early for my 38 week appointment and the doctor told me I was in labor when I got there...so I worked literally until the very end! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411542 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:18:13 +0000 DesertDreams88 2411542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a teacher too and due Jan 19th, 2 weeks after xmas break. I originally really wanted my maternity leave to start after xmas break, at 38 weeks, but my doctor resisted and said I should save all my FMLA/sick time for baby.... he said that every month, new moms are calling him and begging him to extend their maternity leave but he legally can't. </p> <p>Now that I'm 38 weeks pregnant, I'm actually glad to be at school. I rested a TON over break and got all my "baby checklist" done. I was soooo bored and antsy the last two days of break, so going back to work has kept me occupied! Sure I am uncomfortable (I'm HUGE) but, beats being at home cranky about waiting and using up paid time. I designed all my lesson plans for this week and next week to be sub-friendly and allow a lot of sitting :)</p> <p>My maternity leave is scheduled to start January 19th, whether or not baby is here. Because of MLK Jr. Day and the weekend, technically I'm starting leave at 39.5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411502 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:53:07 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2411502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also a teacher. With my first, I worked until about 38 weeks, with summer break from around 6-8 months pregnant (he was due end of September). I was teaching 2nd grade &amp; wasn't so much physically uncomfortable as mentally exhausted. I had weeks of false labor &amp; couldn't deal with anymore last minute sub plans that never got used!! Once I took off, contractions stopped completely and I ended up induced at 41 weeks. </p> <p>Now I'm teaching preschool &amp; am 39 weeks. I have/am getting a lot of comments about still working. But I only have 20 days of paid leave, so what can I do? I plan on going until 41 weeks if need be. I hope working &amp; being very active will help me go into labor sooner than watching Netflix on the couch &amp; napping (which is what I WISH I was doing!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411500 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:52:48 +0000 blackbird 2411500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: ahhhhhh that sounds like a nice option! Except the less pay part :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411483 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:43:41 +0000 Mama Bird 2411483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did. But the last week was from home. DS was born over the weekend, but DD was born on a Friday and I was still getting calls and emails that morning. I wanted to send an email saying I was on leave as of that day, but I was afraid to jinx it and end up in false labor :grin: </p> <p>It kind of sucked because it's very stressful work, but it paid off in the end both times because my boss let me take a longer leave / work from home afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411480 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:41:46 +0000 LBee 2411480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was put on part-time bed rest at 34 weeks, but still worked FT (albeit in the afternoons at home) until my scheduled c-section. My boss even joked about me coming in on the morning of my c-section since it wasn't until noon! :shocked: </p> <p>I did have a client who met with me the day before I delivered who was super confused when the announcement went out. Somehow he had missed that I was pregnant?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411466 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:31:18 +0000 Littlebit7 2411466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes but I went out 1 month before the due date. I'm a physical therapist; my belly was getting in the way of safe patient handling (and ugh, I was just over it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411463 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:30:05 +0000 chibee 2411463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did - worked full time at a desk job until 37 weeks. With a total of 4 hour commute by bus and all! it wasn't that bad, but the commuting in the hot weather got to me towards the end and i called it quits at 37 weeks. i planned on going all the way up to 40 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-work-full-time-throughout-your-pregnancy/page/2#post-2411460 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:27:59 +0000 Keybee 2411460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I was a teacher too and I didn't go back in the fall. I was due in December and wasn't going back to work after DD was born, so I didn't see the point in starting a school year that I wasn't going to finish. </p>