How long can I work? Another clicky poll.

[DVMmomma]

Ok let's be super optimistic and assume a smooth sailing pregnancy with no complications and delivery between 36-37 weeks. How long do you think I can manage to work, keeping in mind I'm an ER vet who works either 12 or 14 hour shifts (and I can't make those any shorter). It's physical for sure but I also get to sit and type records throughout that period (hopefully...if time allows). 

We have a work meeting Dec. 21 and I'm being asked to decide when my maternity leave will start. Sadly I can't really play it by ear because I'm often the only doctor on shift so we have to plan ahead and get coverage for me well in advance or the hospital can't be open. And that would be bad. 

Options for those who are mobile: 
up until hitting 36 weeks
35 weeks
34 weeks
33 weeks
32 weeks
31 weeks
30 weeks 
SS

[callmeKD]

How many weeks are you now and how are you feeling?

[callmeKD]

I started working from home 3x week at 20 weeks (attorney and I work a lot). I'm 28 weeks now and am slowing down even more.

[DVMmomma]

callmeKD, oh yeah that's probably useful info.

I'm 20 weeks and feel great. I actually worked 17 hours yesterday. By the time I got home, I'm pretty sure I was having some BH contractions so I was happy to get my feet up and get to bed. I was also starving. But other than that it was a-ok. Additional useful information: I only work every other weekend (12 hours Sat and 12 hours Sun) and one overnight a week (14 hours). So it's not full time.

[Deleted]

I'm in a desk type job so rarely on my feet and I've had a similar uneventful pregnancy so far and am now 31 weeks 3 days and still working FT. My maternity leave starts early if I take leave so working till I go. Did your OB have any recommendations?

[fightersince83]

I'm mobile so no clicky but my nurse friend went out around 28-30 weeks with singletons because the long shifts on her feet and physical demands of the job got to by too much. She had a 2 very low risk/unremarkable pregnancies and it was the same both times

ETA: she worked full time until she went out each time

[mustloveerica]

So my MFM seems very confident that I will have no problem carrying the twins to 38 weeks. My original plan was to work until my water breaks or my induction day but now I'm thinking I might start my leave at 36 weeks just so I can get last minute things done at the house and get some good sleep in before babes come 😊

[mustloveerica]

ETA: I work a desk job averaging about 45 to 50 hours per week. I stopped traveling and doing any field work as soon as I found out I was pregnant.

[schmella]

I was working as a corporate trainer while pregnant, 40% classroom, 60% desk job. I had to dig through old posts, but my last class was when I was 28 weeks and it was ROUGH. I think at 32 weeks I started WFH more because I was running to the bathroom every 40 minutes- the 200ft walk back and forth was way too much (and too time consuming at that point). I wasn't drinking enough water, it was just bad all around.

I think your long shifts are going to be hard- I was so so tired by the end of the day. You'll likely move more slowly, so you might have even less time to sit & do paperwork. Or you might be totally fine- I just think its smart to plan for the worst.

Buy yourself a support band! If you're going to be on your feet, it helps so much.

[lindy04aggie]

I worked until just past 36 weeks. Babies were born at 38 weeks.

[DVMmomma]

@jacks605 so far the only thing my Ob and the perinatologist have said is that the girls' clock runs out at 37 weeks. I have an appointment with the Ob tomorrow so I'll ask him then if he has any thoughts.

[nic1231]

I have hopes to work until they are born by their choice or induction at 38 weeks. I am on my feet all day in a warehouse/production facility. The only thing one of my doctors has said it's that we may have to do restrictions on third trimester, mostly because I don't be able to lift the heavy boxes/products due to the the giant belly.

[DVMmomma]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to take a chance and try to work till April 1. Probably a risky move as April 11th is 37 weeks. But I forgot to mention the other really important part of my story. I get as much maternity leave as I want (hurray!) but I get paid $0 the entire time because I'm production based. If I don't make the hospital any money, I don't make any money.

[fightersince83]

Dec 14, 2016 10:51:20 GMT -5 DVMmomma said:

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to take a chance and try to work till April 1. Probably a risky move as April 11th is 37 weeks. But I forgot to mention the other really important part of my story. I get as much maternity leave as I want (hurray!) but I get paid $0 the entire time because I'm production based. If I don't make the hospital any money, I don't make any money.

Do you have a disability policy or pay into state disability? If so, you should get some pay while you're out.

[DVMmomma]

Dec 14, 2016 10:55:32 GMT -5 fightersince83 said:

Dec 14, 2016 10:51:20 GMT -5 DVMmomma said:

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to take a chance and try to work till April 1. Probably a risky move as April 11th is 37 weeks. But I forgot to mention the other really important part of my story. I get as much maternity leave as I want (hurray!) but I get paid $0 the entire time because I'm production based. If I don't make the hospital any money, I don't make any money.

Do you have a disability policy or pay into state disability? If so, you should get some pay while you're out.

I keep meaning to look into this! I think it's too late. I didn't start my disability policy until I was already pregnant. I also don't pay into a state policy as far as I know.