Working while pregnant, what do you think?

Tray - posted on 03/30/2011

I work 39 hours a week in a DIY and building materials store and with my daughter i worked full time up to 36 weeks and with my son i worked full time up til the day i had him which was 35 weeks.

Becky - posted on 03/30/2011

I love this subject and I was a freak of nature( so co-workers say). I was a teacher in a toddler clasroom for the whole duration of my pregnancy. I didn't stop working till friday and my son was born on monday his due date. :) I beleave as long as you and the baby are not in harms way why not. If you are not stressing and are happy you go girl. It realy doesn't matter what anyone thinks just as long as you and your doc. agree that it is ok than right on.

Holly - posted on 09/01/2009

I worked as a waitress all the way through my pregnancy. I couldn't believe that I was able to do that, and I got some great sympathy tips for it. I agree that you should let your body tell you when you need to stop. My midwife told me I would know when I needed to stop but I really didn't have that option so I kept going. I did get sent to a physical therapist for 6 weeks at the end because my body was having a hard time adjusting to the weight on the front of me. Do whatever makes you comfortable and happy.

Cortney - posted on 09/01/2009

Work as long as you feel up to it as long as your doctor says you're good to go! : )

Thankfully I didn't have to worry about working outside the home so I could stay home on days that my feet were too swollen to put into shoes! : )

I love working from home but I know that most moms like to get out of the house more often so it isn't for everyone.

Angel - posted on 09/01/2009

ok first off if you are lifting you need to be verry carfull i lost 3 babies by misscarige that way i worked at a home for the mentally and physically disabled and lost all three!!! its not good to do manuall labor but aslong as you dont push to hard and lift over 20 lbs you should be okay! you need to take it easy as much as posible! and if you get soar or tired rest and then continue! i would take leave at 7 1/2 months because you need that baby to stay in as long as posible, preterm labor i at risk to women who work and are on their feet! it premotes early labor and you dont want that! my son was earlly and he had several problems! just be carefull!!!

Liza - posted on 09/01/2009

I think there is nothing wrong with a pregnant lady working. I work all the way until i turn 9months and i did not have a problem with it. I guess it all depends on what type of work the lady does and how long she can deal with work. I just cut down my hours and took it easy as the months were getting closer.

TIFFANY - posted on 09/01/2009

There is nothing wrong with you working. On my job I was on my feet all day, and they didn't treat me any different than the other workers just cause I was getting bigger either. I actually worked up until the 1st week in Dec. and had my baby on the 16th of Dec.

Darcy - posted on 09/01/2009

I think you should work as long as you feel comfortable and as long as your doctor is ok with it. I worked full time (40+ hours per week) up until 5 days before my son was born. The only reason I didn't work up until he was born was because my boss was scared I would go into labor at work! I wouldn't let anyone at work change your mind. If you enjoy your job and aren't having any problems, there's no reason you shouldn't work. Good luck!

Katie - posted on 09/01/2009

I personally worked up untill the day i gave birth with both of my children. When i was pregnant with my son i worked at KFC as a shift supervisor and worked 40 hrs a wk. With my daughter i worked in the group home setting with Autistic children also working 40 hrs a wk. I dont see any thing wrong with it as long as your doctor says its ok . I would really not worry what others say you are your own person.Plus if you take off who is gonna pay your bills and buy the things you need for the baby that you do not get at your baby shower i say more power to all of the moms out making a living as long as it is healthy and not harming your baby..... Good luck girl..

Katie - posted on 09/01/2009

I personally worked up untill the day i gave birth with both of my children. When i was pregnant with my son i worked at KFC as a shift supervisor and worked 40 hrs a wk. With my daughter i worked in the group home setting with Autistic children also working 40 hrs a wk. I dont see any thing wrong with it as long as your doctor says its ok . I would really not worry what others say you are your own person.Plus if you take off who is gonna pay your bills and buy the things you need for the baby that you do not get at your baby shower i say more power to all of the moms out making a living as long as it is healthy and not harming your baby..... Good luck girl..

Amber - posted on 09/01/2009

I think its a personal choice. I am a middle school teacher and I worked until the day before I went into labor. Some people thought I was crazy but I felt find and thought I would go stir crazy just siting around the house. The walking around campus was also good for me and helped keep my weight done. (I think it also helped with labor) I say do what you think is right for you.

Linda - posted on 09/01/2009

It's all up to you! How do you feel? I worked at one of my jobs up until 34 weeks, then it wasn't worth it any more... I still continued to work at a floral shop up until I gave birth (I think I delivered some flowers the weekend before I was induced). Go for as long as you want, but take some time out because once that baby comes it can be exhausting (especially if you have a non-sleeper like mine who only started sleeping through the night at 14 months! GAH!).

Linda - posted on 09/01/2009

It's all up to you! How do you feel? I worked at one of my jobs up until 34 weeks, then it wasn't worth it any more... I still continued to work at a floral shop up until I gave birth (I think I delivered some flowers the weekend before I was induced). Go for as long as you want, but take some time out because once that baby comes it can be exhausting (especially if you have a non-sleeper like mine who only started sleeping through the night at 14 months! GAH!).

Kayla - posted on 09/01/2009

I also work in retail and I worked up until March 2005, my son was born April 2005, My doctors took me out because I was retaining to much water in me feet and was put on bed rest, if it wasnt for that I would have worked longer.

Kimberly - posted on 09/01/2009

I worked up until the day my dotor said I needed to take some time off... which was when I was at the start of my ninth month. It is okay to start out but gets tough the further along you get. I was working odd hours like from 6am-6pm sometimes five days a week. If you are only working three days a week that is not bad at all but you are on your feet a lot. So talk to your doctor and do what you think is best. Your body and doctor will let you know if it is too much.

Kimberly - posted on 09/01/2009

I worked 6 days a week as a waitress up until a week before my daughter was born and 2 weeks before my son. It is all up to you and how you feel- as long as you are not doing anything to put u or your baby in harm ( ie lifting heavy things) then there is no reason that u cannot work, and for the stuff you cant do being pregnant, people are always willing to help a pregnant girl out!

Erika - posted on 09/01/2009

I worked until 3 weeks before I had my son. It's up to you. You will know when you can no longer work. I work from home to stay home with my son and daughter. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Message me if you're interested. Best Wishes!!

Meredith - posted on 09/01/2009

I think it is ok for now, but you really need to listen to what your body is telling you. I worked in a deli and in a horse barn cleaning stalls until I was 8 and a half months pregnant and it was way too much. But then again, I just pushed through the pain. I actually started bleeding because I pushed too hard so be careful. Take this time to enjoy your pregnancy because it will go fast and if you don't have to work, I would say don't. :)

Kristine - posted on 08/31/2009

i work at a retail store. i worked up until a week from my due date. it all depends on you. if u think u can handle it then do it

Deborah - posted on 08/31/2009

Hunny I worked 6 days a week 7 hr days on my feet. I worked until the day I went to the hospital. I was 11 days over due in december. I had to leave work early so I could make it to the hospital in time to get induced. If I did not work and had to sit at home I would have gone insane. If it wasn't foe my job I dunno how I could have made it. I was lifting anywhere from 5-35 lbs. Until ur doctor says u shouldn't work I say work as much as u want!

Hailey - posted on 08/31/2009

with my oldest i only worked a couple of months. with my youngest i worked my entire pregnancy on my feet. I stopped working the week before i delivered. i didnt see anything wrong with it. i worked at chuck e cheese at the time. this pregnancy i have not worked at all though.

Lauren - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked up until a week before my due date and I was two centimeters dilated. At that point my feet were so swollen I could barely walk by the end of the day and the doctors begrudgingly gave me a note that said I could stop working. They said you should work up to the day you deliver if you want to.

Tiffany - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked up til the day I went to the hospital. I think that as long as you are not straining yourself too much and taking it easy, then you should be fine. And my job was not all that relaxing. I worked in a very busy cafe while pregnant. My bosses just understood that fact and while I was counted on to do my share of the work for the most part they put me at the register for the lunch rush on a stool and then when it came time to clean up they just let me do as much as I could and let me take as many breaks as I needed. I think, besides yourself, your most powerful ally is an understanding boss.

Jennifer - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked all the way up until my baby's due date. I really didn't slow down too much. I worked as an aide at an assisted living facility so I was constantly walking and sometimes would only get to sit for 5 min.! If you feel you can physically do your job I'd say keep working! :) But listen to your body and what you want to do. Try not to worry about what others are saying because it's your body and you are capable of doing what you feel is comfortable. :)

Elizabeth - posted on 08/31/2009

i work in fast food...and i worked up until the day before i had him...i was working 5 days a week 8 hour shifts...i think its okay as long as you don't over do it...if you think you need time off take it off...if you feel you have to (like me) work then work...i think i would have went crazy with the time off though...the 6 weeks i had off after i had my son killed me..don't get me wrong i loved spending time with my son but i needed to work

Amber - posted on 08/31/2009

i think it depends on your individual situation. with my first, i worked up untill my due date. i was given two due dates so she was born 2 weeks later, but from what i was told is that working while your pregnant is really good for you and the baby. you get excersize which makes the baby come faster, and it keeps your weight down (i was a waitress, and i made super tips!). with my second child, i was so sick during my first month, i couldnt hold down water! i got light headed and weak (bad for restraunt jobs) so i had to quit untill my sickness subsided. i think working while your pregnant is great. your body will tell you when to stop. when the pressure gets to be to much, or your just in too much pain then take your leave of absense. good luck, people understand that things get harder when your pregnant, most will cut you some slack and praise you for working. hope your delivery goes fast and easy for you.

Sarah - posted on 08/31/2009

There's nothing wrong with working while pregnant unless you have some kind of special case. With my daughter I worked until I had her. I had to call in Monday morning because I had just had her. I think as long as you have a plan in case you go into labor at work and have an understanding with you boss, there's nothing wrong with it. Youhave to work these days.

Lucy - posted on 08/31/2009

I say as long as your not straining your self, or are in any danger, work as long as you possibly can. Im 8 months pregnant and am leaving on maternity leave 1 week before my due date. I don't see anything wrong with it!

just be careful in what you do.

Shannon - posted on 08/31/2009

I think it is awesome that you still work and that more Mom's work these days than ever before in the past. You can still be a wonderful Mom and have a fun and exciting job. I work 40 hours a week for a software company. I have one daughter. I worked the whole nine months I was pregnant with her up until the day I had her. I went back to work 6 weeks after I had her too and have been working since! Just listen to your body, don't push yourself and continue doing what feels best for you.

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

also it made my labor sooo much easier

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

I did the same thing when i was pregnant as long as your not doing any lifting than i see no reason why you can't do it i worked in in home care and switched to a resturant job bc i felt that i didn't want to expose myself to that (aids hiv hep c etc) bc i didn't want to contract it while being pregnant and pass it to my child.... i didn't take miturnity leave untill 2 weeks before i my due date but i had alot of braxton hix contractions so as long as you are able to handle and feel ok to do your job there is no reason why you should quit untill you are ready.... good luck

Diana - posted on 08/31/2009

Good for you! Wiht my first I worked until I couldn't I got preclampsia at about 71/2 - 8 months and I plan on working until I can't this time around as well. Just remeber if you live in CA you can file for disability at 7 months (you get apid roughly half of what you were making while working) and you pay taxes to get hteis benifit. Best of luck!

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

I think you should work untill, it no longer possible, or uncomforable. I am due in Jan and plan to work up till Thanksgiving.

Jennifer - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked until the day I had my c-sections

Mala - posted on 08/31/2009

honestly it depends where u work i work staight up to 37 weeks an was fine my gynacolagist said my health was good ritw thru

Julie - posted on 08/31/2009

While I was pregnant with my twins girls now 2 years old. I attended college full time and worked full time ( 30 hours a week). I worked at Shoppers Drug mart so I was standing for most of the eight hours. People did treat me a little differently but some glared a lot because I look young and could not believe I was pregnant. I worked the night before I had an emergency c-section. I found it easy to work and go to school while being pregnant as long as I sat for some of the time it was pretty easy. Just don't listen to the people that are asking you these questions, its your descison whether you want to work or not, when you feel too tired or can't move as easily anymore especially in your field of work than maybe stop or wait until your doctor tells you that you need to stop working.

Ashlee - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked right until the week before my due date, and was fine. I took precautions like no lifting etc.... I was on my feet at least 8 hrs a day 5-7 days a week my whole pregnancy. I am also going back to work because the next one is due in march so I need to build up mat hrs. Work until you and your doctor are comfortable with it. I worked so long because that gave me longer at home after (for mat leave)

Chrystal - posted on 08/31/2009

I think working while u r pregnant is fine as long as it doesnt involve really heavy lifting or anything too physical where it could hurt the baby.

Rachael - posted on 08/31/2009

i worked until the day i gave birth (40 hours a week) might be why she came 2 weeks early?, i would of went mental at home waiting for something to happen. if your happy working then keep going, if it gets too much then stop.

Cassie - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked with my son until a week before I had him. I probally would have kept working had my gall bladder not been bothering me. I am curently working and plan to work as much as I can through this pregnancy as well. I love my job and get a lot of support from my coworkers and clients. Plus I love their advice I always hear something fun or new to try everyday!

Erin - posted on 08/31/2009

I am a physical therapist assistant and worked up until the friday before I had a little one that next monday. My doctor told me as long as I could do my job comfortably and didn't feel drained or over-worked then there was nothing wrong with it. I think it helped me mentally, I don't think I could have just layed around for a months.

Kiyomi - posted on 08/31/2009

I can say it isn't for everyone. But if there are no health reasons and you can still do your job well, I don't see why not. I worked up to the day before I had my daughter, and I worked as a fast paced daycare teacher to 9-12 3 year olds! I would have worked the day of her birth but that was the day I had off for my 38 week check up. People kept asking me when I was going to stop (I got huge fast!) and told them I will stop when I feel I can no longer do my job well enough to continue.

Mattee - posted on 08/31/2009

I'm 7 mos too and still working! I will be quitting soon, mostly just because I'm on my feet ALOT and getting bigger all the time, any my feet swell alot.... My back KILLS me by the end of my shift, but I dont't hink there's anything wrong with working while prego, and kudos to those who can work the entire time... I'm not one of them lol

Keisha - posted on 08/31/2009

Some women have really hard pregnancies. I was blessed that I could walk on treadmills and work up until they day I went into labor. I had a 10 minute labor and I was out of the hospital in 2 days after a vaginal delivery and epidural. It all depends on your health and the instructions from your doctor. But healthy moms means healthy babies, if you can handle the job and the baby more power to ya!!

Kathryn - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked up to 5 weeks before my due date (next week!) and to be honest i wish i'd left earlier. I was working as a waitress and found the busy restaurant too much to cope with in the end. My balance became affected and i fell over in the kitchen twice, risking both my health and the babies. I think if you work in an office, or somewhere non physical working right up to the due date is fine. However, in a physical job i say cut down on your shifts and leave about 8 weeks before. You may get bored but it's better than putting too much strain on your body.

Kathryn - posted on 08/31/2009

I worked up to 5 weeks before my due date (next week!) and to be honest i wish i'd left earlier. I was working as a waitress and found the busy restaurant too much to cope with in the end. My balance became affected and i fell over in the kitchen twice, risking both my health and the babies. I think if you work in an office, or somewhere non physical working right up to the due date is fine. However, in a physical job i say cut down on your shifts and leave about 8 weeks before. You may get bored but it's better than putting too much strain on your body.

Liz - posted on 08/30/2009

Let your body tell you - any cramping, back pain, or massively swollen feet are an indicator. And get used to people telling you their opinion, it doesnt end once you have the baby it just gets worse!!

Leonie - posted on 08/30/2009

i worked up to 30wks with my second i could of gone to 34 but i wanted some time at home with my 3yo alone b4 the baby came so he didnt feel so left out.

Genevieve - posted on 08/30/2009

I worked up until the day I gave birth. My daughter was about three weeks early, and I actually went to work on the day I ended up having her and leaving after an hour and a half because I just felt funny, and very emotional. I saw no problem with working while I was pregnant, the heat gave me a little bit of a problem but I was totally able to work, I am the sales manager at a flower shop in la jolla, and anytime someone asked me why I was still working, I just said I felt great and wanted to take more time off after my baby was born. I would totally advocate working as long as you feel comfortable

Genevieve - posted on 08/30/2009

I worked up until the day I gave birth. My daughter was about three weeks early, and I actually went to work on the day I ended up having her and leaving after an hour and a half because I just felt funny, and very emotional. I saw no problem with working while I was pregnant, the heat gave me a little bit of a problem but I was totally able to work, I am the sales manager at a flower shop in la jolla, and anytime someone asked me why I was still working, I just said I felt great and wanted to take more time off after my baby was born. I would totally advocate working as long as you feel comfortable