https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:45:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734361 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:30:50 +0000 Mae 1734361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked through my 40th week. Planned (and did) work up until I went into labor. It was the right decision for me because I had limited maternity leave and I didn't want to waste any before I had the baby. And my job was not at all physically demanding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734353 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:27:39 +0000 ChitownRo 1734353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 40+1, a Friday. I went into labor the following Monday. I needed to save all 12 weeks off for post partum/baby time :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734287 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:59:14 +0000 LBee 1734287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am working until the day I go into labor in order to maximize my 8 week leave time with baby. I do echo @pui: that at 33 weeks, work is pretty miserable... and I work a desk job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734225 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:36:09 +0000 pui 1734225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm stopping work at around 34-35 weeks pregnant. I'm not really going on leave (I'm becoming a SAHM) and I own my company so I have a lot of flexibility for when I leave. I think this is the best call for me, as I have some time to relax and finish "nesting" before baby gets here. Working is already starting to get harder to do at 32 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734207 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:29:32 +0000 Corduroy 1734207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 39 weeks. I could have gone until my due date but my objective at work was a smooth transition. I really wanted everything wrapped up before I left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1734161 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:16:16 +0000 kml636 1734161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 40 weeks. After that I worked from home just because I didn't like everyone's constant questions about where the baby was, how did I feel, etc. Honestly to me I would rather work until the last minute because it's something to keep you occupied and make the time go by faster... Which I needed as my LO was 9 days late! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733484 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:05:36 +0000 maybebaby 1733484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>37 weeks and LO was born at 41w2d, so I had a full month off--I had finished school and a temporary job I'd been working, so I couldn't have worked longer even if I'd wanted to.</p> <p>I was SOOOOO bored by the time baby came! In hindsight I would have worked until 39 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733303 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:37:41 +0000 californiadreams 1733303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 40 + 2 and it was awful. I was sick in my last week though and it hurt to cough and blow my nose. Next time I plan to start at least 2-3 weeks before my due date </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733301 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:36:03 +0000 Applesandbananas 1733301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked the Friday before he was born (on a Sunday). </p> <p>He was supposed to be a scheduled c-section and I was planning to take a few days off before then (like Monday &amp; Tuesday, scheduled c section on Wednesday) but alas, he had other plans! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733298 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:17:37 +0000 MamaCate 1733298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 39+4 and was induced at 40+2. My last day was the day before thanksgiving so it made sense to stop then. In retrospect, though, my leave started that monday so i should have just been induced then, or stuck it out. I thought that if I took PTO my leave would not begin until I delivered but that was not the way it worked out. If you only have 12 weeks of leave, I would try to save them for post-baby. It is so hard to leave them when they are that little! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733253 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:07:58 +0000 MrsA 1733253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked up to about 37.5 weeks. I'd planned to take 2 weeks of vacation to get me to my due date/maternity leave (my situation was a little different than most and I needed to burn my vac time before my leave started). Turns out I delivered at 38 weeks and change, so I had a week off before. Knowing that I wish I'd gone out earlier, but it's not a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1733226 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:47:05 +0000 sera_87 1733226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First time I worked until 36 weeks and "wasted" 4 weeks of my mat leave, unfortunately.</p> <p>This time I went off at 33 weeks on (paid) stress leave and then will start my mat leave (a full year) once baby is here. </p> <p>Both times I had a pretty physically demanding job and was doing my last trimester in the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732957 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:12:29 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 1732957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was really struggling by 34 weeks, so I went to a three-day week at that point. I started my maternity leave at 38 weeks and LO was born at 41, so I was home for three weeks before the birth. </p> <p>I am so glad I stopped when I did. I was able to get our apartment ready for the baby, do some frozen meals, and just relax before the craziness of having a newborn. I ended up not going back to work, so I didn't lose that time with the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732899 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:26:03 +0000 MrsB2012 1732899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only worked until I was 30 weeks. It's different here though. I went on a medical leave at 30 weeks as it was getting difficult with my job ( long days, often no breaks, and on my feet all day. ) I was on medical leave from week 30 until I gave birth ( 37.6 ) and then I started my maternity leave for the full year after that. We're really lucky how it works here. I loved it as I went off in the summer, had lots of time to settle in, relax, get ready. I fully contribute that to having a good pregnancy after the leave and a good delivery. I will probably work until about 34 weeks this time. I need to work a little longer to get maternity leave as I'll be pushing it to get the minimum hours needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732695 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:57:05 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1732695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped at 35 weeks, which was one week before I was going to be induced or sectioned. For me, it was really wonderful because I was in sooo much pain by then and I could just go to the gym and float in the pool all morning which felt so great. I think in a regular pregnancy I would have kept working until the end just to save on maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732479 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:25:42 +0000 matador84 1732479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until the day (went into labor on my own) with both kids. I didn't see a reason to take off beforehand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732456 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:19:26 +0000 fussygal 1732456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Originally I'd planned to work until I delivered but I handed off all my projects early wand was getting bored so I stopped at 39 weeks. It was great to have a week to prep and be lazy. I think anymore and I would have been bored! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732412 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:05:08 +0000 KT326 1732412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had planned on working until 38 weeks but my doctor pulled me out at 36+1 because of my blood pressure. I was too stressed out at work. I'm really glad he did because I ended up having DS at 37+5 so I had a little over a week to relax and get a few things ready. The next time I'm pregnant I plan on taking 3-4 weeks off before my due date. I didn't know this at the time of my last pregnancy but since I am in California I can get up to 4 weeks paid before my baby is born. Will take advantage of that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732391 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:59:27 +0000 birdofafeather 1732391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 36+3 as CA disability kicks in at 36w. This was right before Christmas when our office closed for a week and then the new year was always very slow. So I made more being on disability than going into work. It was perfect for me because of the holidays! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732361 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:49:00 +0000 RsMom 1732361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 37 weeks and was induced at 38 +3 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732346 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:38:36 +0000 MrsTiz 1732346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I left work on my lunch break to go to the hospital. My maternity leave was unpaid, so I wasn't going to take any time off just because! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732331 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:33:32 +0000 Radish 1732331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped working on the Friday of my 38th week and had my LO on that following Monday. Worked out perfectly. I would have been so antsy without something to distract me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732310 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:27:14 +0000 mdf106 1732310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until I went into labor. I worked on Friday 39 weeks, and did a half day from home Saturday 39+1. I went into labor the middle of the night 39+2. I work at a stressful desk job with a short commute by car. No regrets. Some rest would have been nice, but the extra money was nice in light of my unpaid maternity leave. I don't think I would take time before unless I had to medically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732205 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:54:28 +0000 BlueWolverine 1732205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started working from home on a Tuesday and was induced a week later. Being able to work from home was really great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1732109 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:28:55 +0000 dagret 1732109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked up until the Friday before I gave birth. My work is closer than home to the hospital anyway. </p> <p>I think i would have gone stir-crazy at home - my plan had always been to work up until I had the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1731978 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:01:08 +0000 katsupgirl 1731978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until about 35 weeks. No regrets. I was able to get focused and relax. Plus I was getting uncomfortable. It was nice having that downtime before the newborn stage. I'm a homebody so I wasn't bored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1731464 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:48:31 +0000 NovBaby1112 1731464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My due date was on Monday, and my last day was the previous Friday. I only had 12 weeks so I wanted all of my time to be when the baby was here. I ended up going into labor on Saturday and had her on Monday, so it worked out perfectly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1731460 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:47:20 +0000 avivoca 1731460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until 39 weeks. I wanted to start my leave at the beginning of a pay period and I used accrued comp time that week so I got paid. I also had two weeks of vacation and one week of sick time, so I spaced it out over my maternity leave so that there was only one month where I didn't receive any pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1731455 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:45:49 +0000 MrsKoala 1731455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked a full day the day I gave birth. It was worth it to me to keep going so that I could spend every day of my maternity leave with my baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-weeks-pregnant-did-you-start-maternity-leave-looking-back-did-you-make-the-right-choice/page/2#post-1731450 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:44:32 +0000 ShootingStar 1731450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked up until 37 weeks, when I had to go on bed rest until my induction at 39w. </p>