How far into a pregnancy do women usually work?

Tanisha - posted on 05/03/2010

Do what feels comfortable to you. No one can tell you that you should still be working, no one can tell you that you can't. I went on mat leave at 30 weeks because that felt good to me, I wanted to enjoy the last bit as much as I could and I liked being at home. Talk to your doctor and your significant other if you have one and do what feels right!!

Karianne - posted on 05/03/2010

i would stop working, i worked till august 1st and i was due sept 21st. its a good thing i did because i ended up having the baby early, you could also have high blood pressure i did and i was sorta the same way so jus be careful!

Tina - posted on 05/03/2010

It's different for everyone. With my first son I worked until the day I went itno labor. I worked the whole day I was in labor timing my contractions... A couple hours after work I headed to the hospital and had him 7 hours later.... With my second son I cut down my work schedule but I did work through the whole pregnancy. I am 26 weeks pregnant with my 3rd son and I guess I'm not sure if I'll end up cutting my hours back.
If you feel like you can't work anymore, then you shouldn't. Your body will let you know! :)

Elizabeth - posted on 05/03/2010

i orked through my entire first pregnancy, and due to the conditions of the job i had while pregnant with victoria i had to leave. but i would have worked throuh the whole prenancy if my doc said it was ok.

Rosa - posted on 05/03/2010

Talk to your Doctor especially if your job requires you to be standing alot or doing anything that puts too much stress on your body. But other wise I worked until the week before I delivered.

Laura - posted on 05/03/2010

I teach PE in a secondary school and worked til 38 weeks, the activity kept my weight down and my mind working...loved it!

Heather - posted on 05/03/2010

It really depends on the woman, your comfort level, and how much your workplace will accommodate you. I worked on my feet up until the day I went into labor, 4 days early. I started at 50 hrs/wk and luckily my workplace was super flexible, allowing me to decrease my hours to whatever I was comfortable with. By the end I was really only going in to be there, I made my own schedule and kept my boss' number on speed dial. If they weren't so easygoing with my schedule, I never would have been able to work! Talk to your boss, make sure you are taking breaks and staying hydrated and fed, and make sure you know what rights you have in the workplace!

Jennifer - posted on 05/03/2010

I work mostly sitting at a desk and worked right up until he was born (born on a Saturday, Friday was my last day of work) he was 3 days early. My doctor thought I should cut back working and did a bit but not as much as hubby would have liked. I figured it was better to go into labour with people that care about me around then by myself waiting for husband to get home.

Lynne - posted on 05/03/2010

Your body will tell you and it already sounds like it is. I worked up to 2 weeks before I had my daughter and was put on bed rest 2 months before I had my son. You should really talk to your doctor about being dizzy and the swollen ankles. I would cut back at wotk or make more time to sit and rest if you want to stay working. hope I helped a little

Natalie - posted on 05/03/2010

Most of the women I know worked till a week or 2 before they were due, but that was barring any complications with pregnancy. If you are worried about your health of the health of your baby, listen to your body and talk to a doctor. I was fortunate to have a problem free pregnancy and a job that I wanted to work at till the day I was due and then I only took 2 weeks off to adjust and get some sort of rythum. It doesn't happen like that for a lot of mommies, but there are lots of things to be done if you have to keep working. Hope you are able to find a solution. :)

Janelle - posted on 05/03/2010

I work at a daycare and I was due 12 Feb 2010 and starting in January I requested 4 hour days. I worked 0615-1015...it was AWESOME. I went to the gym, went home, ate lunch, took a nap....and got homework done if I felt like it! I ended up going into labor on a Saturday--3 weeks early, so I worked right up until I had him...but if you're feeling weak, the baby is more important, talk to your doctor!

Marissa - posted on 05/03/2010

You could always apply for disability benefits so that you don't have to start your mat leave early. You would just need a note from your doctor. I stopped working at 30 weeks because I just couldn't do it anymore. I wasn't able to get disability but I was able to have all of my sick and vacation time paid out and that took me until a couple weeks before my son was born so it worked out. You have options, just talk to your doctor. You're in the home stretch, it's better for you and your baby that you take the last few weeks to rest and prepare yourself for the big day! Good luck!!

Holly - posted on 05/03/2010

I would talk to your doctor. I worked right up until the end, but I was in an office job where I got to sit all day and only got up for breaks and to use the restroom (my desk was even right next to the copy machine/printer, so I didn't have to get up for that). I would not have worked so late if I had a job where I was on my feet all day. I remember the swollen ankles and they are no fun at all! Good luck and congrats on your soon-to-be new addition! :)

Jolene - posted on 05/03/2010

talk to your doctor! I worked at a gym standing and walking around setting ppl up on excercise routines 3 days a week 14 hours a day until i was 29 weeks with my twins. one week after i stopped working i was on forced bedrest in hospital in and out of labour (nurses stopped labour 3 times in 4 weeks!) and then gave birth at 34 weeks to healthy but small identical twin girls.

Jennifer - posted on 05/03/2010

With my first I worked until I was 37 weeks, I was on my feet all day long and couldnt take it any longer.
With this pregnancy I have a desk job and plan on working again until I am 37 weeks.

Katie - posted on 05/03/2010

I worked right up til my due date. I was actually unexpectedly induced but I would have still worked up until I was due. My job required me to sit all day so that worked for me. If you're having problems at work I would suggest talking with your boss about different activites you could do or maybe a reduced work schedule, instead work 5 hour days or something. I would also talk to your doctor to find out what would be best. Hope this helps!

Lisa - posted on 05/03/2010

I am only 24 weeks pregnant and this is my last week of work. For other reason than I cant work but I planed on going on Mat leave 2 months before my due date. I did the samething with my daughter. I started mat leave 2 months early.

Jaimie - posted on 05/03/2010

I was actually omw to work when I had my baby...I would say do it until you personally feel you cannot. I felt fine and I have an office job so I was not that physically uncomfortable. If its a money situation maybe you can reduce your hours or ask them to let you sit. No one will think you are a bad worker or lazy if u are sitting when u r pregnant. Good luck!

Anne - posted on 05/03/2010

Is there any maternity leave where you are? I worked up until the night before my baby arrived and it was tough. I believe she arrived 3 weeks early because of the stress (physical and mental) of my job. I had planned to stay off work the week before the due date but a collegue put me under so much pressure, ringing me at home, taking all my time up during the days so I could not get on with what I needed to do because he wanted to pick my brains before I left. Also my hubby ended up in hospital because of a drunk driver and I got held up at gunpoint in the same week and Bingo - my daughter arrived a few days later. The last two couldn't be avoided but if the hand over to a collegue could have been done more gardually it would have been a lot less stressful so I say leave early and with plenty of notice.

Zara - posted on 05/03/2010

With my first baby I worked at a place where I was always standing and walking too. They gave me a stool to sit down when I needed to and I worked until the week I was due. Good Luck this part of pregnancy can be hard because you are so ready to see the baby and not be in pain anymore. But it will all be over before you know it and you will have an amazing little baby!!!!

Zara Nichols
Helping Moms Work From Home
www.4AHappyLife.com

Jodi - posted on 05/03/2010

i worked until 2 weeks before i had my son...but i also work retail and couldn't get any hours anyway...so it wasn't because of pregnancy as much as it was business.

i worked until i was 36 weeks, but wanted to work right up until.

Sarah - posted on 05/03/2010

my first pregnancy i went off at 32 weeks on sick leave then straight to maternity. i am 32 weeks now (due june 26th) and am not having much difficulties ( never with my first either but my boss wanted me to do stuff i couldnt being that far along and told me if i didnt i was going to be fired so i went to the dr and went off on sick leave an hour later lol) i'm slated to go off work June 5th this time

Elisha - posted on 05/03/2010

most people finish work 11 weeks before they are due

Kalika - posted on 05/03/2010

I worked I think up until liek 2 weeks b4 I had my daughter and up until I think 3 days before I had my son.

Danielle - posted on 05/03/2010

i worked in retail ( and so was on my feet my WHOLE shift) and planned to work until i as 38 weeks+...however things NEVER go as planned,lol...i had to go on maternity leave when i was nearly 7 months pregnant due to developing "separated symphysis pubis"..which basically means my pelivc bone had torn away from the cartillage and so walking and even standing were near impossible.

Each person is different and so is each labour, talk to your dr and ur boss and find a solution...even if its just less hrs.

Leeann - posted on 05/03/2010

do u still work full time? i cut down to part time at about 25 weeks because i was the same as u and my doctor was trying to tell me to stop work at 30 weeks but i worked to 35! believe me you need the rest before the baby comes! u risk high blood pressure and pre eclampsia an that! dizziness will be a bit scary for you id be thinking of stopping very soon! for the benefit of both of you!

Amanda-Lee - posted on 05/03/2010

it all depends on the person and there needs/health.
i got put off work when i was 20 weeks due to complications, my midwife didnt want me to b working from the start of my pregnancy tho but i tried to stick it out but it never lasted just depends on your situation really. sum ppl work right up till a few days before they give birth.

Kirsten - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked up to 2 weeks before my due date and he was still 1 week late!

Alicia - posted on 05/02/2010

I fully agree with Amanda. See what your doctor says. I was able to go up until the day before I delivered but my pregnancy wasnt too rough. I was pretty tired and I actually had morning sickness the ENTIRE way thru but my doc gave me the go ahead to keep working. The most important thing is your health and your babies health. good luck sweetie

Lou Lyn - posted on 05/02/2010

it's better if you ask for an advise of your OB-gyne or ask your supervisor for an assistance in some of your work.i stop working until my labor came with my daughter, walking is a good exercise but not too much dear cause you can feel occational dizziness and swollen ankles, not good for a pregnant women lack of sleep just relax and take it easy.money is not a problem you can find ways for your pregnancy.good luck and godbless!

Christina - posted on 05/02/2010

I stopped at 35 weeks because like you I had a stand up job all day and I was getting too tired, you could always consult you doctor and if he thinks you need to stop for medical reasons you might be able to go on medical leave first (although I think that only works if you wanted to stop before 25 weeks but can't hurt to try) in that case your maternity wouldn't start till the baby was born

Erin - posted on 05/02/2010

I'm a nurse and work 12 hour shift that are ALL on my feet and I do a lot of walking,lifting, bending, pulling, etc. I worked up until my due date. It's hard, but you just do one day at a time and before you know it, your due date will be here! If you sit at home, your due date will come even slower when all you do is sit at home and think about it. Keeping active makes for an easier labor and delivery too.

Lauwrina - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked until my water broke, but everybody is different. I talked to my boss around 34-35 weeks and cut my hours back. Talk with your supervisors about it. Try to hang in there, maybe they can give you some extra break times or can find something for you to do a couple of hours out of your day so you can sit. They might be willing to work with you if it means keeping you a little while longer.

Mellanie - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked at a job where I was on my feet walking and very little sitting. The only time I would sit was on my breaks and lunch. I worked all the way through my due date until I was 3 days over due. That was with my second child, with my first I was on bed rest. It's all in how you feel. You have the mommy instinct now, use it, if you don't feel comfortable working a lot of hours maybe cut them down to a point you still can have some income but get some time to rest as well. good luck :)

Brittany - posted on 05/02/2010

When I was pregnant with my son, I planned on working until 37 weeks. I was working as an in home health aide, and was working between 3-6 hours a day (on my feet cleaning houses and lifting adults). At home I had my husband and son to take care of (my boys are 15 months apart). At 31 weeks, the whole day I was at work I was not feeling good, so I went to the hospital later that night. My doctor said I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced as I was officially on bedrest. So I called work and told them I could not work any more and thankfully carried my baby boy up until 39 weeks (had him the day before I was to be induced). I say if you are uncomfortable at work you should talk to your doctor and your husband and seriously think about taking off now.

Your health and your baby's health are the most important thing right now. We had to scrape by for over 2 months as we were not at all prepared for me to quit work that early but we all made it through! good luck!!!

Joanna - posted on 05/02/2010

With my first pregnancy I was 17, working at a Bingo hall but they had me do the easy job - sitting and calling bingo numbers. I worked on my due date (and had my baby the next day).

And with my last, I worked only until 32 weeks, but that's because I was laid off, but honestly I was feeling like I was about done working. The walking around (I had to walk all around our office/warehouse delivering orders as part of my job) was killing me.

I'd see if you can talk to your boss and get some extra breaks, or some tasks at work where you can sit and put your feet up.

Sheriah - posted on 05/02/2010

You should have stopped when it started taking a toll on your body. With this pregnancy I stop working at 7 mths due to pre term labor pains. You and your spouse have to sit down and talk about the finances but your health and your baby comes first.

Jackie - posted on 05/02/2010

I really think it depends on the type of work you are doing. I work in an ICU and in my job I really do get to sit down a lot (depending on the day). I personally worked up until the day before I had my daughter; I called in the night before I went into labor.

Melissa - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked all they way through and actually went into labor after my shift:)

Paige - posted on 05/02/2010

My job was very demanding, I was on my feet all day, worked long hours, no one helped me. I was there for hours by myself in a busy environment causing me to be stressed and super busy, dealing with customers and everything else. My manager didn't seem to care all that much. One day, I fell while I was at work..my next doc appointment he put me off and I was 6 months pregnant at the time! I just got to enjoy the whole summer :)

Marketta - posted on 05/02/2010

I can relate ma. I worked up until the day before I gave birth to my daughter. My supervisor thought he was "helping me out" by starting me on a "40 hour work week" starting my 3rd month which meant that instead of doing PT at 0630 I would come in at 0800 and leave at 1700 - TECHNICALLY I was working the same amount of hours. I've seen other females in my unit come in at 9 and leave at 2 and thats how it should be - I know that after going through a pregnancy in the Army, if I should have pregnant female soldiers, I will know how to treat them because I will know what they are going through.

Nichole - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked until I was put on bedrest at 21 weeks. If I would not have been having issues I was going to work as long as the doctor allowed. So I'd say ask the doctor. They'll tell you when it is best for you to stop working.

Jessie - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked until the day before he was born. I went into labor at supper that evening after work. My job was very good to me however and found things for me to do in the afternoon that I could sit down for awhile even though it's on on your feet running around kind of job :)

Jessica - posted on 05/02/2010

When I was pregnant, I worked up until a week before I was induced. I never felt weak or had occasional dizziness either. What I would do is just listen to your body because your body knows what it needs.

Jonna - posted on 05/02/2010

I worked till it was uncomfortable to do so. Each of my pregnancies was different. my first I stopped working rather early because my husband and I had to move out of state. My second I worked till 34 weeks and went into preterm labor (got myself 2 weeks of bed rest) and with my third worked till 38 weeks. It all depends on how you feel, but don't overdo it and send yourself into preterm labor. if you start cramping or having contractions then you should probably stop working.

Rose - posted on 05/02/2010

I am almost 35 weeks and i work still. But of coarse i sit down all day. I would suggest talking to your doc and seeing if he can give you a list of limitations to give your job than talk to your employer about a different job you could do that isn't so strenuous to you or your baby. I worked at target with my first until i was 7 months along doing stocking i had to quit cause of the strenuous activity was causing me so much pain i couldn't stand it.

Andrea - posted on 05/02/2010

start takin ur maternity leave now. ull need ur energy wen baby comes if you are on low incomes check at the local jobcentre to see if theres any help or benefits that could help u while u are off work

Carmell - posted on 05/02/2010

I do Carpentry and joinery at college and stayed until 3 day's before i was due with my last child and she was born a week late weighing a healthy 8lb 13oz

Casey - posted on 05/02/2010

i quit my job in my 6th month of my pregnancy..my boyfriend was making pretty good money so i didn't really worry much and i had money in my savings..so no big deal..i quit because i had to deal with rude customers all day long and i was trying to keep my composure and i was on my feet so i had to go..but its all up to the women..if u think u can work up until your due date then go for it..and if not talk to your supervisor about you doing less walking and standing..maybe provide you with a chair

Lenn - posted on 05/02/2010

Talk with your Doc an see what they think. As for me I worked up until my last week. Actually my last day of work was 3 days before I went in labor!