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Why don't you just go on maternity leave on Monday, then?

Knowing my doctor they would not allow this and personally I wouldn't ask. I would take pto or fmla if I wanted to stay home from work.

Maybe you'll have the baby this weekend and can't go in Monday anyways.

@Mrs. Tricycle: Ah. well that makes sense. I'm pretty sure my dr wouldn't write me a note just because I didn't want to keep working, either, though, so it's just sucky

My midwife did. She looked at me like i had 2 heads when I told her most women in my office got a doctor's note at 38 weeks. She told me no way in no uncertain terms. I think my leave was similar to yours so I just had to wait.

Eta I was induced and it took 3 days. Doctor wouldn't even sign off on the two days I was in the hospital being induced! I don't understand why they do that kind of thing. I lost two days of pay because of it

Personally I don't think pregnancy is a reason to be excused from work because you're tired and uncomfortable. If you have more complications going on, sure. But not just that. Sorry.

@birdofafeather: Yeah, I wanted to work longer but my Dr made me stop after a dehydration/food poisoning stint at L&D Triage at 37 weeks.

Wow that is crazy. My doctor told me she would write me out whenever I was ready, but I am a nurse and work 12 night shifts so she understands how difficult it is when pregnant. Everyone in my unit goes out way early and have never had any issues getting put on medical leave until the baby arrives.

My doctor didn't sign anything until after I had the baby.

I guess I'm spoiled being in CA too. My dr asked me at every appointment after 32 weeks when I wanted to stop working. He told me to just let him know and he would write a note. He ended up pulling me out of work at 36 weeks anyway because of my blood pressure. I also had a 45+ min commute which really sucked towards the end. There were times I almost had to pull off to use the bathroom because I just couldn't hold it that long!

I think that since you are a teacher (well, I don't know what you teach, so I guess that could vary) you should get a note written if you feel like it. Teaching is exhasting--having to be on your feet and engaging in kids all day long, not to mention the lunch and after school duties that all teachers have to take turns doing.

My first job was a very long maternity leave where the teacher left on disability at 7 months, because she was having major issues with swelling from being on her feet all day--like, couldn't wear shoes at all (it was winter), and was ordered by her doctor to sit with her feet elevated. You can't do that and still teach (she was a special education teacher in a self contained class and those kids were super high maintenance).

I ended up long term subbing for her for 5 months.

@skipra: that is crazy that they wouldn't sign off on the days you were in the hospital!! What the?!

I'm pretty sure my doctor wouldn't sign a note for me either unless my health or my baby's health was at risk. Hang in there!

Wow you lot have it rough! In the UK it is common to start mat leave paid from a month before. I've also come across research saying that working in that last month can have negative outcomes for mother and baby (it was reasonably easy to find if anyone wants to). These doctors just sound cruel!

I didn't have this problem as I worked until my due date and took off after that because my boss was not a good boss. BUT, beyond that I was able to do all sorts of things until the birth and I expect to do that for this pregnancy. But just because I think I can do it does not mean that EVERYONE should do it. If you don't think you can do it (and teaching on your feet I can see that) you shouldn't be shamed into not taking the time you need. It's probably easier on your job as well to know you are done and get the sub in and going instead of this day to day don't know.

Edited to add:
The OB I met for this pregnancy heard one of my jobs is teaching gymnastics and she asked at 10 weeks if I wanted a note to get off of that job.

My midwives told me 4 week early for STD in Cali.

@ShootingStar: Agreed.

I stopped working just shy of 38 weeks. I was supposed to work until the end of that week but I was so exhausted that I went into work that Monday and said I needed to be done. I was willing to go one more day but I was told to wrap things up that day and be done.

Working while pregnant it exhausting. I hope you go into labour this weekend and if not then on Monday your doctor could be nice and write you a note.

@Mrs. J: In CA, state disability (that we pay into) gives you 4 weeks before your due date - use it or lose it. It's not 100% (came out to about 50% for me) so if you can work and make 100%, you might want to, but there's not a fear that you'll get in trouble with your job or lose tons of money because you can't work. I went out in my 36th week due to the holidays and slow season at work. Had it been busier, I probably would have kept working.

My doctor took me off early- her idea, not mine, because she wanted to make sure that the kids were in there as long as possible. Im a fifth grade teacher, so I *could* have worked the whole time, but it wouldn't have been fun.

ETA- I'm the only teacher I know IRL that got off early. I know a teacher that is went into labor at school.

@birdofafeather: that's amazing! Our disability kicks in late, but it's 75% of our pay, if I remember correctly. I took off after my due date, but that was unpaid because my son was late.