When did you start maternity leave?

[BellyBelly]

The right time to begin maternity leave is an issue that can often weigh heavily on pregnant womens' minds! Some workplaces may be unaccomodating, unsuitable or unsafe for pregnant women causing them to leave early on in the pregnancy. Some women work until their due date due to financial reasons, work pressures or just because they want to!

This poll and discussion relates to what women think about maternity leave and what decisions they have to make compared to what they would prefer to make. For example, you might continue working due to financial reasons but would prefer to stop work to take time out.

Post your thoughts here.

[BellyBelly]

I left soon after I found out I was pregnant, the work environment was very stressful (sales related work around Sept 11 time!) and I had bad morning sickness and back problems. Luckily hubby offered to look after me - he'd work and I would relax and focus on the pregnancy. Thank goodness though as I had some really bad back problems.

[Lucy]

I am in a quandry about this. I'm 16 weeks pg, and don't know what to do about a leaving date!

I am in the middle of a huge project, but it involves a lot of stressful negotiations, coupled with a lot of visits to construction sites (in Darwin heat: dust, hard hat and leery blokes).

I am not enjoying it much at all.

So in theory, I should just leave right now.

However, my boss is a great guy who is also a really good friend of me and DH. Plus the moeny is great and even though we don't need the money, it certainly helps. Plus the contract / project is due to end 19/12/03 (just before Christmas) when I will still only be 31 weeks.

So I really don't know what to do.........anyone have any thoughts?

[BellyBelly]

Lucy,

I'd just play it by ear and follow your heart. I did get bored at home sometimes, couldn't last long going out because of my back, so I kinda wished I had something to keep my mind busy - of course you get nappy brain with a baby so it's nice to know you are all brained out if you kept working!!! But at any time if you feel like your body is trying to tell you something, listen to it If it gets too stressful - it's time to relax.

[Astrolady]

I left when I was 4mths as i only worked for a temp agency and was in out of jobs and was finding it all to stressfull. I haven't looked back and don't plan on going back any time in the long term future.

Love

[Mum 2 Three]

With my 3 pregnancies I thought I would work as close as possible up to the due date, however only made it to the end 1/3 times. With #1 I thought I would finish about 10 days before DD. Baby arrived 19 days early. With # 2 I thought I would finish 3 weeks before DD. This time I made it. Baby was born 6 days before DD. With #3, I had been planning to work up to about 3 weeks before DD. At 32 weeks I discovered I was having problems and so then planned to finish 4 weeks early. However baby was born 6 weeks early - still didn't make it!

To sum up, I think its not a bad idea to work as long as possible, rather than sitting at home playing the waiting game (providing your job is not too stressful). Also I found it easier to go to work than to stay home running after small children - work was airconditioned - home wasn't (we live in NQ). However possibly not the best idea to cut it as fine as I did. If you do decide to cut it fine, make sure everying is up to date in case everying thing does not go to plan.

Hope this helps.

[christy]

I plan on leaving work around 18 weeks...or just going down to one day a week. I've been having problems with workmates though...am 7wks PG and had to tell work right away as I am a vet nurse and 80% of what I do can be dangerous, but they have tried to find work for me that I can do, but I find the other nurses a bit put out because it means they have to do a lot more work than before as our boss will not hire someone else...so I have gone down to 25 hours as soon as I could (next week! ). But work has made being PG for the first time not entirely joyful...

[jilly]

Hi all, I think it comes down to personal choice for most of us these days, as the law doesn't allow discrimination (apparently anyway-although some still live in the dark ages) I am an operational Police Officer, so pregnancy has a big impact on my work. I worked up until 34 weeks with my first 2, then until 28 weeks with my third, as I was unhappy with the treatment i was receiving from a few members who seemed to think that pregnancy equals an ability to do nothing. We are not allowed to remain operational past 12 weeks, and have to provide a Dr Certificate to say we are fit to work. I am lucky enough to be a Detective, and therefore can continue to be useful out in the field as long as my Doctor allows it. This is negotiated by each woman within her own department, so sadly not all policewomen receive fair treatment. This time, I intend to work right up until I'm due, as we need the money, and I would prefer the time off afterwards. We are also lucky to be paid for 12 weeks after the birth of a child, which is so important, and I believe it should be a right for all women. Having said all that, it is also important to be well rested before the birth, especially if you have other small people at home requiring your attention. Sleep as much as you can, as often as you can!!!!!! Good luck to all mums, whatever you decide to do. All the best, Jill.

[christy]

Hi there back in this forum for an update if anyone else is thinking about this subject... I have given notice to work!! JOY! But it isn't for another two months, I hope to leave the work place in the end of February. So in March I will come in for one week to help cover someone's holidays and then thats it. Having an EDD of June 3rd means that I should have a full 2.5 months off, but I am going to keep training puppies as long as I can and I am going to write some protocols and boring stuff from home in March as well! So...thats the plan now!

Will update you when I know for sure!


Christy

[Susan]

In ym first pregnancy wiht Tiahna I worked until 30 weeks, by then I was tired and over working and really wanted a break ... I went back with Tiahan in tow at 7 months old...

With Jaime I was studying full time up until 35 weeks... I shot my first job when Jaime was 3 weeks old...

This time I run my own business as a photographer and I also nanny a little boy 3 days a week... I will photograph until early Feb and will nanny until 2 weeks before my due date, then will go back to both 6 weeks after baby arrives....

I am lucky though in that my jobs allow for me to wrk around or with my family

[Lucy]

Well, as you can read from my earlier post back in October. I was kind of keen to give up work, but followed my sense of responsibility, and I am SO glad I did. The project I was on ended up being a lot more fulfilling than I had imagined, and has been a massive success. I finished up yesterday with a very clear conscience, and now have Christmas to look forward to, and then roll on my due date!

By continuing to work I ended up making a couple of really nice friends; earned some very useful money (which I have stashed away!) and now that I am finally on maternity leave I feel I have really really "earned it" IYKWIM?

[mum2one04]

I had to stop work when I was 4 months pregnant. I was a packer and had to lift wieghts up to 25kg. My back was the reason I had to stop after a day at work I was hardly able to walk I was in that much pain. However, I don't think I should have been lifting those heavy weights either. I was a bit upset I had to stop work so early as I enjoyed it thoroughly and even though I am now 36 weeks I still wish I could go back to work. Due to finishing so early I have only, appproximately, 8 months to spend with my little angel once she is born before I have to make up my mind to go back to work. I don't think it's fair really. I HAD to stop work, doctor's orders, and now I have to pay the consequences of having so long off before bub is born. Am I being selfish or is 1 year maternity leave not enough, especially if you need to go back to work after baby arrives to make ends meet. What does everyone else think?

[christy]

I will be in the same boat, having to get back to work unless some amazing money tree spouts in our backyard! LOL I think one year is the perfect amount of time to have off! I hope for that amount of time! I will probably only have a few weeks after when I will start working Saturday's and a few nights a week but I hope I don't have to go back to full time work! But I guess that is up to our finances at that time... ah the joys of needing money to survive...

Christy

[christy]

Ok My finish date is now fight on 30 weeks!! So that is when I will be finishing for sure!! I will do one class a week for puppies which I don't count as work so JOY! ALL DONE!!

Christy

[Astrolady]

Yayy Christy

Congrats. Not long to go then

Love :smt049

[amysmum]

I finsished work four weeks before my due date. I had my daughter 2 weeks early. Lucky I decided on 4 weeks and not 2 otherwise I would have been to the hospital from work.

[Brooke]

I am a High School Drama teacher and am 32 weeks PG. I am finishing work in 3 weeks time and am quite scared about how I will cope with having nothing to do to occupy my time. I've had high BP since 16 weeks and it is controlled by medication. My Dr says to reduce stress and stay off my feet for long periods of time, but it's the kind of job where it is unavoiodable. With no paid Maternity leave I have no choice but to keep working as long as I can. I really feel we need to lobby Govt more to get paid mat leave for everyone!

[kelly2202]

Which state are you in Brooke???

I am a primary school teacher here in Perth and we now get 6 weeks paid maternity leave (which I am sure we can take at 12 weeks half pay, which is what I plan to do). I was just wondering because I thought that all governement employees had paid maternity leave now.

I will be working until about 36 weeks (so 11 weeks to go until maternity leave starts but I also have 2 weeks of holidays in there as well) ... assuming all continues to go well. I am lucky as I only have a small class of 14 students and they are only 5 years old. No real behaviour problems and I do get the chance to sit occassionally during the day but then I come home to 2 gorgeous and delightful children whose favourite past time of late is to argue over the stupidest things!!!!

Good luck and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Cheers