https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 01:14:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742784 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:29:23 +0000 Sapphiresun 742784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning to work until July 26 (due date is August 12). I have a little bit of vacation time left to use up, so I'll use that, and then start my maternity leave officially on August 8. But, I have a year maternity leave, so there's less worry about each day being so precious, I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742705 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:16:26 +0000 mrsbookworm 742705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan to work until the Friday before my due date. I'm due on a Tuesday, so as long as he hangs in there until then I should have one day off : ) I decided I'd rather have the time after he's born... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742704 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:16:24 +0000 ladyfingers 742704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the same concerns. My last day was to be February 1, and I was due February 3. My boss let me go early on January 31 and I went into labor at 9 pm February 1! I would have died if I'd gone into labor after a full day of work. But in the end, you just can't predict what's going to happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742683 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:13:58 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 742683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had planned on stopping a week before my due date. I teach primary and was terrified of going into labor at school. I also couldn't handle the idea of going straight to the hospital from my classroom and not having a chance to go home.<br /> I think I stressed myself out so much that I started having pre-labor contractions at 38 weeks. I tried to keep working, but every night I'd be up late creating sub plans for the next day "just in case". I started my leave at 38 1/2 weeks and the contractions stopped coming. So I went back until 39 1/2 weeks. LO didn't come until 41 weeks.</p> <p>I think if you're comfortable physically and mentally being at work, it'd be a good bet to stay and save your days. If you're super stressed out, it won't hurt to stop work a few days before you're due and take some time to relax before the baby comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742040 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:22:44 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 742040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's looking like a mixed bag between everyone so far! I wish pregnancy hadn't made me so indecisive (don't get me started on my opinion for guests after delivery; I cannot make up my mind) because I really wish I just knew what would be best for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742014 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:14:38 +0000 MamaMoose 742014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked up until I had the baby (I worked through a Friday and went into labor on a Sunday night). I was actually scheduled to be induced Monday night and had planned to work ON Monday just so that I wouldn't be sitting at home all day going crazy waiting for the time to go to the hospital. I'm soooo glad I did it the way I did so I could maximize every single day of maternity leave to be home with my sweet girl. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-742003 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:11:14 +0000 Cherrybee 742003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My maternity leave is due to start two weeks before my EDD and I'm taking two weeks holiday before that so I will have 4 weeks off in total beforehand. I must admit that I'm quite worried that I will go overdue and will have wasted a good chunk of my mat leave - but at the same time I know I will need the time to rest and nest properly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741992 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:07:16 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 741992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I planned to work up until 2 days before my due date, but my fluid was low, so my doctor made me stop working two weeks early. I was upset at first, but looking back I'm glad I had those two weeks (really more like a week and a half since I was induced a few days early) to relax and have some time to myself. Next time I'll probably plan to stop working a week or two before my due date. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741984 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:06:07 +0000 2PeasinaPod 741984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was due during the most stressful time for us at work and I worked up until I delivered. There was no way I was going to give up a single minute of my time off before baby got here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741979 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:04:35 +0000 autumnlove 741979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My leave started two weeks before my scheduled C-section. I wanted to work a little longer but I was a sick mess with the flu and I'm glad I took time off earlier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741978 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:04:05 +0000 mamabolt 741978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked until my due date but I was not incredibly busy (had wrapped up big projects) and was able to WFH so that kept my stress about working lower as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741974 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:03:15 +0000 Rubies 741974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will soon be submitting some of my papers and have determined that my mat leave will being 10 days before my EDD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741950 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:58:09 +0000 Chillybear 741950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>every state is different and my friends in NJ are able to take 2 weeks before their due date and then 6-8 pp depending on their delivery type. I'm in PA and i plan on working until a coworker has to drive me to the hospital. but i may take a day or two off in the weeks leading up to my due date or if i'm past due to rest or get things done for baby. I have 2 friends (in NJ) that were 2 weeks late and this wished they would have continued working only if just to keep their mind off going into labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-stop-working-before-maternity-leave#post-741940 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:54:12 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 741940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Up until now (36W), I've been planning to work up until labor. I've read mixed stories on here on what you guys had planned to do. While I really want to have the full 12W with LO once she comes, work has been increasingly stressful (like 60ish hour work weeks) and I feel like I have no time to plan for her arrival or relax. I'm considering taking off just a few days before EDD, but then am worried - what if I go 2 weeks overdue? Then will I have wasted 2 weeks? The midwife told me yesterday to take a week off before EDD because our bodies have to know to make the transition from "work mode" to "baby mode". I had never heard this before, and wonder if she was just trying to convince me so that I get some relief? </p> <p>What has the experience been for you ladies? Did you work up until labor, did you leave a few days/weeks before? Were you happy with your decision? </p>