Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I'm a teacher and I'm due on Weds. I only get six weeks of paid leave and am trying to stay at work as long as possible so that my leave begins at the latest possible date.

I feel tired and uncomfy, but don't have any labor symptoms yet. I really don't want to go into labor at work. Should I go to work tomorrow? Any opinions are welcome. TIA!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

i would say it depends on how far do u live from ur school? if its not far i say go. if u have a commute id say stay home.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

If you are feeling fine, then I would go.

Any pre-labor symptoms at all?

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I would - as you said, you want to have your leave begin as late as possibly. Personally, I would not want to use any days before the baby comes if I could help it. I am planning on working until I literally have the baby so all my time can be afterwards!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I live very close to work and DH works literally at a school 2 mins from me. So if anything happens the distance to home/hospital is not an issue.

I pretty much figured I'd keep working, I just hate being in limbo! I don't have any pre-labor symptoms yet though, so I don't want to be sitting in my house all day waiting.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

What do you teach? Can you sit while teaching? Do you have an assistant or co-teacher? I feel like all of this would come into play for me at the end! I teach Kindergarten with a TA and hope to go in (for the same reason you said) until I CAN'T anymore! That being said, I know that I can pretty much let my TA run the show. If you go in and change your mind, maybe they can find someone to cover for you and you can leave.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I teach HS ESL/Spanish and my replacement is already shadowing me so I can leave if I need to. I can also sit if need be, but it's not my style.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

your 6 weeks doesnt start until the day the baby is born. you are allowed to take off before that it doesnt count towards your 6 weeks.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

If you only get six weeks from your last day of work I would absolutely go in. I went two weeks late with my first son!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

oh that's a good point...DOES it start from when you stop coming in, or does it start from when the baby is born? In my district is is from when the baby is born, in my friend's it is from when she stopped coming in. Your contract should specify.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

If I take more than 5 sick days prior to the birth, they can start my leave retroactive to when I first started calling out. My fear is that the baby will be born late and this will happen, and in essence I'll have "lost" a week.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

hmmm...i think you have to listen to your body. If you are tired but nothing else, I'd probably go in. I know you said you wouldn't want to leave, but see how you feel once you're there. Feel Good!!! Good Luck!!!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

Just speaking from my own experience of going into labor at work (I work in a school too) - if at all possible, I'd recommend staying home those last few days!! I also had no signs of labor right before. So if you can avoid it, going straight from work to the hospital to give birth really isn't fun.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

Go with your gut. How do you feel?
I had planned to work up until the week before (I also work at a school) All the kids are sick, they are coughing and sneezing all over. I decided to end a week early.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

Can you get a drs note that you are unable to work as of tomorrow? If so you can still start your 6 weeks the day you give birth.

My baby was 9 days late, but I had a note to stop working at 38 weeks so those 3 weeks before she was born did not count.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I started my leave one week before i gave birth and I am so happy that I did. It was really the last moments I got to spend alone and reflect on this huge life change. I also gave birth in the winter though and the weather was pretty poor for commuting. Six weeks is sooooo little. Something needs to change!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

I would go in. For all you know, you may go way past your due date.

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

Thanks everyone for the advice; since I cannot sleep I'm staying home tomorrow. The acid reflux I get at night is killing me. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow.

:o) Thanks for the help!

Re: Due on Wednesday, should I go to work tomorrow?

well keep in mind I was 11 days late with DD so your EDD doesn't necessarily mean labor will start. Are you dialated? effaced? you mentioned no symptoms so I'd go with the above advice and go if you're drive is not too long. I kept thinking it was going to happen and nothing.