Time off of work pre-baby?

[toratoratori]

So I'm in the final stretch (five days to B-Day!), and starting to have some serious Braxton-Hicks contractions that, while not super painful or even really noticeable when I'm sitting or laying down, are incredibly uncomfortable when I stand or try to walk.

I'm already on a reduced work schedule that I started last week - in the office three full days, with two days at home that include just enough time online to check my email. But I'm wondering, now that my body is starting to seriously gear up, should I talk to my boss and take more time? I'm just concerned about losing out on the income if she comes later than anticipated. How did you guys handle the final weeks pre-baby?

[karebear219]

I took the last two weeks off before I was due. It was the best thing I ever did. I will never have that kind of alone time again. I highly highly highly recommend it. I still look back at it with fond memories almost three years later. Take yourself to the mall, the movies. I would die to have that kind of time again. Maybe not die, but you get the point.

[picksthemusic]

Yeah, I had about 5 days at home before I had M. It was definitely a time to nest, clean, get things ready for her, and to relax, spend time as a couple with J, and do stuff that you just can't do with a LO. If you have the time, can afford it, your work is okay with it, take it. You won't get it back.

[toratoratori]

karebear219 picksthemusic I thought about doing that, but I've only been at my job for 18 months and don't have enough vacation / sick time saved to cover pre-baby and maternity leave I'm stretched super thin after her arrival just to make sure my benefits stay active! I guess that's something I'll have to plan for for the next baby, though.

[picksthemusic]

Jul 28, 2014 19:42:55 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

karebear219 picksthemusic I thought about doing that, but I've only been at my job for 18 months and don't have enough vacation / sick time saved to cover pre-baby and maternity leave I'm stretched super thin after her arrival just to make sure my benefits stay active! I guess that's something I'll have to plan for for the next baby, though.

Lots of moms don't get any time off pre-baby, so don't feel bad. I wouldn't take the extra time if I were in your situation. I really don't have a lot of wiggle room either, so I'll be working all the way up until I go into labor. It's more convenient for me to go into labor at work, though, since I work two blocks from where I'm delivering. LOL Plus I work with a bunch of doctors, so... yeah. And my co-workers like to baby me.

But do as much for yourself as you can - take long baths, watch movies, go out to dinner with your DH, and just try to enjoy as much time pre-baby as you can.

[karebear219]

Listen to picksthemusic she's smart and don't feel bad if you do take time for yourself. You deserve it.

[jennlin]

Can you reduce your schedule more? Or do more at-home work? I worked until 45 hours before bjl was born and 10 hours before the boy was born. (Both born at 39w0d). I didn't get paid time off and I felt that at this stage of my pregnancy, I could get away with showing up and not doing shit anyway.

I didn't have many ctx with bjl, I was just tired of working and was fully anticipating going late with bjl. I took a day off for fun, but went into labor that night. I was in almost active labor while still at work (6 mins apart on the drive home) before the boy was born.

With 5 days to go, I would say it's perfectly justified to feel like you need a break, but if you can get away with doing nothing at work, stay and get paid.

[shevacc]

I worked right up until G was born and plan to do the same this time. But honestly like jennlin, I wasn't very productive the last week or so. I'm not really being super productive right now either, but am tying up loose ends. My boss seems reasonably understanding and I don't have a whole lot of really high priority stuff ending up on my plate right now anyway so I'd rather get paid to do the bare minimum than burn vacation. For me, as much as I have been dragging my feet at work it also helps me pass the time.

[toratoratori]

shevacc That's kind of where I am. All the big stuff will be finished up by Thursday and then it's just keeping tabs on my email until she gets here. But I'd so much rather be napping!!

[shevacc]

Jul 29, 2014 22:50:44 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

shevacc That's kind of where I am. All the big stuff will be finished up by Thursday and then it's just keeping tabs on my email until she gets here. But I'd so much rather be napping!!

I'm horrible at napping, even when I have a bitty baby...we'll see if I figure it out this time around. But yeah, it would be nice to do whatever I want for a few day, especially if I kept G in daycare for most of it. Then again it's nicer to be paid...sigh .

[jennlin]

Jul 29, 2014 23:15:32 GMT -5 shevacc said:

Jul 29, 2014 22:50:44 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

shevacc That's kind of where I am. All the big stuff will be finished up by Thursday and then it's just keeping tabs on my email until she gets here. But I'd so much rather be napping!!

I'm horrible at napping, even when I have a bitty baby...we'll see if I figure it out this time around. But yeah, it would be nice to do whatever I want for a few day, especially if I kept G in daycare for most of it. Then again it's nicer to be paid...sigh .

[/b]

This.