What are the pros and cons of starting maternity leave early?
? Sweet Honesty ? asked:
I’m 38 weeks pregnant and really starting to feel tired and cranky! I have a cushy office job so I figured I’d just work up until I delivered to save vacation time. Is there a compelling reason to start maternity leave early? I don’t want to sit home with nothing to do, but it’s getting really hard to be at work!
I’m 38 weeks pregnant and really starting to feel tired and cranky! I have a cushy office job so I figured I’d just work up until I delivered to save vacation time. Is there a compelling reason to start maternity leave early? I don’t want to sit home with nothing to do, but it’s getting really hard to be at work!
ALSO–if you started maternity leave early, how soon before your due date did you leave?
Melvin
Tags: 38 Weeks Pregnant, Pros And Cons, Reason
September 1st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Actually, I’m taking a week vacation before my due date so that my maternity leave doesn’t start until after the baby is born.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 am
I did with my first by Dr’s orders. I got SOO bored staying at home though. The only plus side was not having to get up and go to work and I got everything ready for her arrival..she ended up coming 3 weeks early anyway.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I started mine at 28 weeks as I was huge and sooo tired! I got a chance to rest and prepare for the baby…I’m so glad I did it.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
im being induced tomorrow and im heading to work as a waitress tonight! i feel FABULOUS and have the whole time, so i figure why not! but, if i felt like crap and i was cranky and tired theres no way I would go to work. dont push yourself, theres no need! if you dont feel like it, YOU DONT HAVE to!!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I worked Friday Jan 16th 2004 I went into labor on Monday Jan 19 and I had my daughter early Tuesday morning. I did not want to take off before hand because I wanted the longest amount of time with my child. It can benefit though if everything is not ready or you feel that you are to exhausted to work. The problem though is if your due date is not right or you go very late you are screwed out of that extra time with your newborn. I think if you can work up until you deliver but if you can’t then go ahead and take off but not to soon before you due date. It is easier if you go early you still have the full leave if you go late and already left you do not get that time back.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I am a stay at home mom, so I don’t get maternity leave, but I use to work in a daycare and I know most mothers would work as long as possible. They did this so they would have more time with the baby after the birth. You might take your leave now and go two weeks with out giving birth. Thats two weeks sooner you’ll have to leave your little one and go back to work.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
If you can do it…I would leave work now. It will give you some time to rest before the baby. I think it sounds like a great idea. My first was a summer baby, and I was a teacher so I was home for two months. It was great…I felt pretty ready when the baby came. The other was a complicated pregnancy and they took her ealy. So I vote, take the time if you can. Good luck and congrats!!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I’m struggling with the same problem. I work full time on my feet, lifting, caring heavy stuff, bending etc. I dont want to set at home but work is becoming more and more difficult. I’m due Nov. 19th. Some positives would be to get the babies room ready, relax, sleep in and finish any projects around the house. Cons - use up leave time, get bored?