https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 12:05:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-451014 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:40:43 +0000 photojane 451014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the insight and input, ladies! I have a growth scan this Thursday, so I might wait to see how she's looking, and if the midwife thinks I need some time off before my due date. Right now I'm leaning towards just taking all of February off since its just part time/extra money, but we'll see since I know that extra money will be helpful when she gets here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-450982 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:39:42 +0000 wheres_c 450982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I scheduled my leave starting at 39 weeks but I was soooi ready to go by 37 weeks and that was without any kind of physical work.</p> <p>I thought id get a week to myself to focus on relaxing and pampering but ended up going into labor at 39w2d. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-450981 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:37:41 +0000 mrsmenow 450981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am due in 8 days and am still working. I work 12 hour nights shifts (I'm a nurse in an ICU). I worked the last two nights and it was tough, my body defiantely was sore and having a ton of contractions. I have two more shifts (I am only part time so that is my typical schedule) this week and then I am done. But I am glad I am pushing through so that I have as much time off once baby gets here. I would have guessed that I would have had the baby by now, since it is my third and I would not be happy just sitting waiting.</p> <p>If you have the leave and don't mind spending it before the baby comes then I think you have a lot more to think about then I did:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-450952 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:00:47 +0000 tororojo 450952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My due date is Feb. 28 and I'm planning for my last day to be Feb. 2. I was born a month early, and if LO happens to come a few weeks early I would rather have a little time off first! Plus I already goof off all the time at work and I figure it'll be even harder to stay on task later on. If you can manage an extra week or 2 off, I think it would be great to relax since your job sounds so strenuous! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-449988 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:14:32 +0000 sslm 449988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going off 1.5 weeks before my due date, at the recommendation of my sister and a couple of friends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-449933 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:17:41 +0000 creativemomma15 449933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That can be a hard decision to make. I work in child care which was also physically demanding and wasn't sure if I would work until the end or not. I ended up having my DS 4 weeks early so I didnt have to end up deciding.</p> <p>My question is, if you are already having hard days at work, what are the chances that it is going to get easier for you or stay the same until then? As you get closer to your due date it could just get more tiring and harder for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-449922 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:09:28 +0000 sotomorrow 449922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, honestly, you could go into labor at any time. I took off 2 weeks before my due date anymore because I was so swollen and HOT (it was June and in the 90s every day). I had a doctor's appointment the first day of my maternity leave, and my blood pressure was so high that they would have yanked me off work then anyway. I really enjoyed at the end knowing I only had 2 more weeks, 6 more days, whatever until being off work because I was so physically uncomfortable even at my desk job. </p> <p>I would talk to your doctor/midwife and see what they recommend. My OBGYN does NOT recommend working up to your due date, if you can possibly avoid it. The baby wound up coming 5 days after my due date, so it sucked having less time off with her at the end, but I got to have a healthy delivery and it may not have been the case if I had pushed myself to work longer. </p> <p>Think about it from a business owner's perspective: Are they going to be in a bind if you go into labor BEFORE your due date? How easy is it to find someone to sub for you on short notice. Newborn photos are time-sensitive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-449900 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:53:37 +0000 T.H.O.U. 449900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I would ask what would happen if you put in until the 11th and then went early? Is that so terrible? </p> <p>Also, how bad do you need the income? It sounds like its just a part time job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-maternity-leave-1#post-449893 Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:46:44 +0000 photojane 449893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, I'm trying to figure out when I should start my maternity leave, and I'd love some input. We make our schedules about a month out (I love that this job allows me to make my own schedule!), so we'll have to have our requests for February in by either the last week of December or first week of January. My due date is currently February 11th.</p> <p>Some background: I only work two days per week, but the work is pretty laborious. I work for a company that does newborn photos at a couple of different hospitals in the area. The work includes pushing a 100lb cart, carrying heavy bags, bending, lifting, crouching, getting up and down from the ground frequently, and lots of walking/standing. My hours are usually 9am-4pm, but there are times I haven't gotten out until 7pm. </p> <p>My original plan was to work until my due date, but I'm already having a really hard time at work. I have major BH every time I work, but usually sitting &amp; water help with that. Sometimes I feel like I was rolled around in a cement mixer by the time I get home, and other days I feel fine. So, now I'm not sure if I should just try to push myself until February 11th, or if I should just start my leave earlier. This is my first pregnancy, so I really have no idea how I'll be feeling by 39 or 40 weeks! I hate to be put into the schedule for February, and then not be able to work &amp; have to be covered for, but I also would hate to not be on the schedule and then feel great. </p> <p>So, ALL OF THAT to say, what do you guys think? When did you start your maternity leave? What would you do in my case? The end of December is approaching quickly, and I'm not sure what to do! </p>