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Lost and honestly depressed😔
Bye bye Accenture!
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I took 4 weeks short term disability before baby because they were 100% paid. I can see why it would’ve made me more sense to enjoy those weeks with the baby at the end of my leave instead but they wouldn’t have been paid then so I knew I’d be back to work anyway. It was nice to have that time to do stuff and then the baby was about a week early
Same here, the pregnancy leave at KPMG and others like PwC is use it or lose it, just under 4 weeks before your due date so I took it
I am 32 weeks now, and planning to stop working at 36weeks to go on STD per state guidelines in CA. I am SO excited for some focus time and to finish getting ready (as long as baby boy doesn't come too early).
Unfortunately, many of our jobs can be high stress (at my appointment last week, I got sent to the hospital for monitoring 😔) so I think taking extra time ahead- if your budget/ company allows can only help.
Good luck! We can do this!!!
35 weeks here and going on STD next week, will have almost 4 weeks off before our baby is due! So excited.
I worked up until I went into labor with all 3 kids. I just didn't see the point in using leave to sit around and wait for baby to arrive. Usually you'll go on travel restriction at around 35 weeks (I had to stop at 32 weeks with my last due to having early contractions) so you won't be able to travel toward the end but a lot of women are able to keep working.
Same. For my first I worked up until the day I woke up in labor. Second was born on a weekend but worked up through that Friday. Just had my third in April and was planning to take a week of PTO before my due date. Worked my last day as planned and went into labor right after work/gave birth that evening. I feel like working to the end is a nice distraction from sitting around and thinking about how miserable I feel 🤷🏻♀️
Rising Star
Take all the time you can! In CA and some other states you can get short term or state funded disability for 4 weeks prior to birth.
I stopped working at 36 weeks with my 1st and spent them reading, napping and exploring the city (nyc). Getting prenatal massages and just mentally preparing for birth and enjoying the quiet time.
With my second I also stopped working at 36 weeks, in CA. Went to the beach almost everyday as our oldest was in daycare and tried to soak up all the quality time with him after school knowing that changes were coming.
Currently one week away from going on maternity leave with my 3rd and will only be taking 2 weeks off this time prior to the due date. Worse maternity leave policy at this company with no top off so I decided I’d try to work longer - but regretting everything moment and wishing I’d taken more time. Planning to go to the beach as much as possible and nap. Two toddlers at home and pregnancy this time around has been rough!
I would check on your company's short term disability policy. My company has STD of 14days prior to due date at full pay and without a physician's note.
I took two weeks before my due date and it was amazing. Highly recommended.
Chief
Right up until and I was over 41 weeks with both my kids. It was nice to have the distraction honestly and because you have to start transitioning early “just in case”, my last few weeks were a breeze.
Chief
I took an afternoon nap most days! Since I transitioned most of my work, I would volunteer to help people with whatever in the mornings and then lay low the rest of the day.
Rising Star
First baby I worked until the day before my induction, second i took 2 weeks off before my due date. LOVED having those 2 weeks (one week would have been fine). We were all prepped and ready for baby so it was just relaxation / self care and some alone time. Loved it . Highly recommend if you have the leave time to do it
Conversation Starter
I had planned to work up to the end, ended up having a scheduled c-section (breech) on a Thursday and decided to stop working the Friday prior. It was nice to have that Mon to Wed to get last minute prep in order! C was at 39 weeks.
I took a week off before my due date. Then used all leave and took a leave of absence. The US needs to support mothers way more than they are currently. I did whatever I could to support myself through pregnancy and after.
I stopped about three days before and was glad to have the time. (Had aimed for a week).
Mainly because you’re not worried about awkwardly wrapping up things and transitions while in labor.
I then spent a day or two cleaning my place, having nice lunches; walking around the city. Highly recommend.
Was going to stop at 38 weeks to use expiring PTO but ended up going into labor the week before that. FYI apparently breech babies have a higher chance of coming early, which my dr never mentioned. 🤷🏻♀️
If you can swing it I’d recc taking off at 39 weeks. You may not want to work at that point and it provides a clean cut off date for your coverage (if you’re transferring your work).
I started leave at 36 wks and had my daughter at 39 weeks
Conversation Starter
Worked up until delivery for both. With first it was fine but for my second, I wish I had taken 2 weeks prior. Went into delivery absolutely exhausted. Will do it for sure for #3!
I received two weeks paid before my due date. I actually should have taken more time (even if unpaid). Definitely take all the time you can!
Chief
Contractions on conference calls for my first and planning to do the same with my second (36+5 right now). I prefer the distraction and WFH means that I’m pretty comfortable while doing so.
Chief
I worked till last day but I wish I had taken atleast a week just to relax before the baby. Post delivery, I literally did not sleep for 48 hours straight and having some sort of sleep (even with all the discomfort of hosting a baby in my body) would have helped. If possible, try to take few days prior to due date if nothing else get ready for the baby and binge watch...
I worked until the day before my scheduled c section because we don’t get prepartum leave and I wanted to use my full leave / vacation for after baby arrived. Worked out fine
Worked until 38 weeks. Birthed at 40 weeks + 1 day on both
1st and 3rd worked until labor. 2nd took off early because I had vacation I would lose and spent as much time as possible with my first. I actually thought it made the transition to older sibling more difficult so opted not to do it again with the 3rd.
I worked till the day before my 1st was born. I had so much going on at work and not a lot of support. Not to scare you but I did end up with pretty severe pre e. If I could go back, I would have taken it easy those final weeks and really reduced my stress levels. It was a tough recovery. With my 2nd, I took 3 weeks before my induction date. It was both to keep my stress level low and spend some quality time with my 1st before #2 was born.
Also don’t be afraid of reaching out to HR to take unpaid time at the end of your leave if you aren’t ready to come back or you just want more time before you give birth. Lots of companies are willing to work with you.