Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

So I don't have any maternity leave at all.
Nada- zip, zilich.
I just started my job a few months ago and they are willing to advance me 40 hours of vacation time and a few sick days and that's it.
Due to this, I am only taking 6 weeks off after the baby comes- TOPS.
We just can't afford to have me out of work- unpaid- for too long.

Having said this- I don't want to waste a single day sitting home BEFORE the baby comes. My due date is June 23 but truth be told I think they are wrong on it and I'm actually due later.
I still feel relatively good, the Dr on Friday told me I have ZERO progress and I'm here at work.
I dont' relish the thought of my water breaking at work- but my boss told me I can start working from home as soon as I feel the need- and do that right up until I go into labor.

But there are people who look at me like I am insane- like I should be sitting home from now on twiddling my thumbs, wasting precious leave time and pining away for the baby to come out.

Is there anyone else like me out there who just wants to work until the bitter end to save up the time for the baby?

ETA- I have a desk job so it's not like I'm on my feet or doing anything strenouous...

Message edited 6/14/2010 11:17:13 AM.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I am a teacher and almost every single woman that I teach with who has had a baby has worked up until they went into labor. Reason is the same as you, no one wants to waste any of their leave before the baby comes.

I am due Dec. 29. My last day of work before xmas break is Dec. 23rd so that will be my last day unless I go earlier than that. But if it was not during a vacation I would be working up until A) I went into labor or B) my dr told me I had to stop

I think it is totally normal

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I worked up to the last day with DS#1 and I plan on doing the same with DD.

I was physically at work on Thursday, worked from home on Fri and had DS on a Saturday last time.

I totally agree with you. I felt fine last time so unless I am feeling awful I see no reason to waste maternity leave before the baby comes.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

yes I will be working till the end

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I will be working till the very end. My hospital is right now the block from my job in case I go into labor while working.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I plan on working up until the very end!!
i

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

Hopefully!

I am actually hoping to go into labor at noon on a workday- I will still get credit for the day that way

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I worked up until my due date but considering the nature of my work (social work / all field work) and the need to transfer my cases to other workers I couldn't risk being out and about in the middle of Brooklyn alone with the potential of going into labor, especially when I commuted via LIRR/bus/subways. I wish I continued working knowing what I know now but hindsight is 20/20.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

Yes, I plan on working until the very end. I work in NYC, so I will most likely work from home for the last couple of weeks. I'm delivering at Winthrop and I really do NOT want to have to take the subway and LIRR while in labor! Ugh, just thinking about having to do that is giving me anxiety! LOL

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

My EDD is my last day so far but I have the option to keep coming in the next week. It is a Friday and I am going to try to make an OB appt over that weekend so that way they will tell me if there is any progress.

I also dont want to waste any time PLUS I know once I stop working, all time will stop and I can't sit at home and wait around!!!

Everyone thinks I am nuts when they ask, Oh when are you due? 7/23. . .
when is your last day? 7/23

LOL

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

*raising hand*

We don't get stand-alone maternity leave so I get to take what I have accrued thus far. Every day that I spend at the office before the birth is a day I get to spend at home with the baby later.

I'm in the same boat as you are-- Friday's doc appt showed zero progress, and I'm feeling like I did a month ago...a little sore but nothing more. I kind of have a feeling we won't have a baby come the 23rd, so why not keep going.

I think though, that if I haven't gone by the due date, I'll come into work until the 25th (2 days past), and then work from home until I go into labor. The office seems to be on board with me doing that, so probably best so that I either don't go into labor in the car commuting (which is my greatest fear), or here at the office.

So....we'll see!

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

ME!

I did it with DD and will do it again.

I have a desk job 9-5 and a great boss that allows me to leave if needed.

I dont see how me being home would change or be beneficial to me since I would being MORE at home,
I also have a 3yr old to tend to. that isnt relaxing!

People are surprised that I am still working at 35wks with twins.

ETA: I rather also have my time with babies at home.

Message edited 6/14/2010 9:50:44 AM.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I will be working right up until the end, for the same reasons. I'd rather have those extra days (or weeks) for after the baby than before, where I will just be sitting around doing nothing anyway. I do have the option of working from home, so I have a feeling in the last couple of weeks I will probably do that quite a bit.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I plan on working till the very end-my edd is sometime around Feb 14th (once we come back from the doctor I'll have an "official" due date).

I commute to NYC and work in Soho, so I'll probably try and work from home the last week. An hour of commuting each way may be too much that last week. But I agree with everyone that I want maximum time with baby

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

Luckily my job is 20mins away from the hospital, so I am going to stay as long as I can.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I worked until the very end with both kids. I have a desk job (well it becomes a desk job as soon as I am too pregnant to go out in the field ) and I was totally fine. With DD I worked until Friday the 12th and went into labor at 2am on the 15th.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I worked right up until the day before I had DD#2. It was funny seeing my coworkers making the face as I waddled up, physically I felt fine to do it.

Hell- the day before I had her, I also waddled to the voting booths on election day with DD#1 on my hip.

If you really want to do it- believe me, you can.

Message edited 6/14/2010 9:57:59 AM.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I plan on going to the end also because I don't want to take away from any time after. I commute into NYC every day so I'll probably try to work from home the last week or two if I can.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

People keep asking me when I'm due... I say July 4. Then they ask when I planning to work until... I say July 4.

Everyone thinks I'm crazy but what the heck am I going to do at home, except burn days that could be used spending time with my newborn?

I planned to do the same the first time around but I couldn't take it at the end and left work a week before my due date. I went into labor 2 days into my maternity leave so it turned out to be the right decision... I would have been SOO UPSET if I spent the entire week home without having the baby.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I am working as long as I can. I have limited PTO and only 6 weeks of disability. Unfortunately, my boss does not let people work from home even though she always does it. With my pregnancy with my son, I was allowed to work from home for the last two weeks. I don't see that happening this time.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I'm self employed working from home but I have a very stressful job. I plan on working till I'm in labor. I have no paid maternity leave either so its all about the money.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

With #1, I worked up until due date my at work, then worked up until I went into labor (41w5d) from home.

This time its twins so I don't plan on making it to the end. I don't get paid for any leave. I work p/t (20 hrs per week), but work long days ~10 hours WIHOUT sitting down. I am seriously on my feet, lifting, mixing, etc all day. I am 30.5 weeks now and my goal was to make it to July which is 33 weeks. I'll then take it day by day. If I had a desk job I would continue working.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I would do it

I worked on wed...took sick day on thurs since my older DS was sick....and gave birth that Friday morning

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I am! I'm currently 38w1d and I'm still feeling great. I work at a desk job so I can sit with my feet up all day. Plus, my office is only a 15 minute drive from my house. I really don't see any reason to waste the time at home when I could get that time with my DC after she is born.

Re: Anyone else here working up until the VERY end?

I hope to be able to work until the end. My boss is very generous and understanding however I feel it would be best to work until the last day possible. I hope my water doesn't break at work either but if it does I will cab it from NYC to North Shore and pray for the best