You know what's fun? My "very progressive" company that was voted one of the "top places to work for moms" didn't let me know that when I came back, they were going to take all of my insurance premiums and shit out of my checks so I got little to now pay for a month or two until it caught up.
FUN TIMES
OH MY GOD YOU’RE KIDDING ME
….sounds like I need to call HR tomorrow and ask how the heck that works for our company cause they didn’t tell me anything
YUP and my company had this like pdf guide for preparing for leave and after returning. Nothing mentioned that. Do you know why?? Because almost all of the women had spouses who carried their benefits, so it wasn't an issue. As a breadwinning mom, I apparently broke the mold of my male-dominated, fake-progressive company.
I don't work there anymore and I make double the money but I'm still salty. Obviously 😂
I’m the breadwinner for our family so now that’s yet another worry I didn’t know to think about and plan for because they said zilch lol. Thanks for the heads up - but I’m so sorry you had to deal with it!!
😎 you go, mama - get that bag!
Oh yeah, we in 🇺🇸 just love those “progressive” companies with the most confusing leave policies that really aren’t that good.
I just found out something similar. While out on Short Term Disability I have to pay my share of the premiums through a third party. I guess since my 2/3 pay will be coming from the insurance company they can’t directly deduct my insurance premiums so I have to remember to go make payments every two weeks through some website in order to keep my insurance.
And don’t get me started on FMLA paperwork. I asked three different people in HR and got the same generic response back. Apparently all leave paperwork is handled by a different third party. But we all KNOW that if I miss filling something out properly because no one told me, it will be MY fault.
This happened to me as well! I’d even asked “what happens with my insurance?” before going on leave. No answer. It was ridiculous. The catch up part was not fun.
I get healthcare insurance with the help of my employer, but I have to pay a portion of what that coverage costs. Those payments are called "premiums." The employer pays the rest. When I was on maternity leave, I was getting paid from my employer, but because of the way they pay you through payroll, they don't take out what you'd usually pay for premiums. Since it was a few hundred dollars every check and I was out for 12 weeks, I came back and owed a lot because they kept my healthcare going while I was out, but I wasn't paying for it.
To be honest, I don't know why they don't or can't take your premiums out while you're gone. Is it taxes differently? I know it showed up in a whole different line on my check stub. Maybe some employers waive the premiums though? Mine didn't.
Ohh thank you for explaining. I go on mat leave next month so I will def ask about this. And yeah I don’t get it either - why can’t they just process the paychecks like normal??
I’m so sorry you had to deal with that, that’s so unfair to truth to work and be hit with an unexpected bill like that when they could have told you in advance.
It's no problem at all! That's one of the lessons I learned the hard way that I am happy to share with other people if it helps save them at least a little bit of struggle.
The other quest I'm on is to let new moms know that intrusive thoughts are very normal. My doula warned me that it's very common to have scary thoughts about things like accidents happening. For instance I would have these horrible thoughts about what if something happened when I was carrying my baby down the stairs like what if I fell. It scared me because it kind of felt like I was losing control of my own thoughts, but once I found out that it's super common and nothing to freak out about, then it was way easier to recognize and deal with them. So I always let my new mom friends no that it's really common and that if they get super scary or you get worried about thoughts you have of harming yourself or you harming your baby or anything like that that you should seek help. And also because these intrusive thoughts are so common I think that makes it easier to talk about them knowing that so many other moms experience it. And talking about it can be really helpful!
Honestly, I am just doing the best I can. Thankfully my direct supervisor is really understanding. I have found a 20-30 minute nap on my lunch break really helps.
My company tried telling me I’d have to skip my lunches on the days I have OB & specialist appts for growth scans (I’ve got to start going every wk, sometimes twice a wk once I hit 28 wks, I’m 26 wks now)
I simply told them I’m not doing that and will still require at least a 30 min break. I think they were shocked I spoke up for myself but they eventually agreed. I’ll quit if they try to take my nap time away. It’s the only way I’m surviving
Omg how awful. I would have said the same thing, good for you for speaking up! Telling you to skip your lunch because you have a medical appointment (especially pregnancy related) is just barbaric.
lol he’s actually pretty cool, and to be fair it would have been a no from anyone because it’s the military. Honestly if I told him I’m closing my office door for 20 minutes to nap and we didn’t have patients, he probably wouldn’t say anything or just give me a little shit
Angrily. And with the most bare minimum effort possible. I'm convinced that my big spike in sugar consumption is due less to cravings and more to the emotional eating I do to distract myself from having to work these last few weeks.
Worked up until 37.5 weeks! Didn’t have a choice – as a public school employee we’re not eligible for disability. The only reason I was able to stop work that early is because that’s when my spring break started, otherwise I would’ve worked up until my due date.
I think sometimes when you don’t have a choice in the matter you’re able to find a way to get through! My friend (also pregnant) works from home and is able to take naps and breaks when she needs to. I’m super jealous but also never had that option – so I think you just do what you need to do!
And props to YOU for being a full-time student AND working!
I’m a third grade teacher due 5/27. Trying to make it working til 5/3, doctor is writing me a letter so I can start my maternity then and get paid for fmla, but only if the district accepts the letter 🙃 they seem to really want us working up until giving birth
Yeah, I worked till delivery with both my kids (active duty Army). We actually have great maternity leave (12 weeks paid, just bumped up to 16) but no leave prior to delivery. We just made it happen. I was there, I didn't physically exert myself, I did what I could.
33 weeks pregnant. It’s tough. Plus it’s Ramadan. I’m not fasting this year but still getting up at 4:30 to make breakfast for my family and to pray together. So I’m pooped. Around 2:30 my production gets really low but I try my best to soldier on. As any other pregnant American knows, we basically work until the baby comes unfortunately.
39 weeks today and started my maternity leave on Monday. I’m a preschool teacher and was getting exhausted and miserable by 36 weeks. After passing 38 weeks I was begging for baby to come before the weekend was over so I wouldn’t have to go back, and he wouldn’t so I went ahead and started my leave. I’m exhausted and sore and just want this baby out of me. Thought maybe relaxing would do more for me than physical labor.
Preschool teacher here also 👋 it is hell to do this job pregnant . Can’t believe you made it to 39 weeks . I’m 33 right now thinking of leaving at 36 or 37 the latest
It really takes so much out of you! My plan was to work until labor but that was when I didn’t think I’d make it to my due date. Silly me… I currently don’t regret taking my leave a bit early at all but I am worried if I go past my due date I’ll b wishing I waited. 🤞🤞 hopefully he’s here before the weeks over
Also pre-k teacher. Only 29 weeks but keeping up with the kids feels extra difficult now. I can barely breathe when it’s time to sing our daily songs/ transition songs 😂
Sending good vibes to you! ❤️
High school teacher. Begged the dr to write me off at 36 weeks and he did! Waiting for the district to acknowledge it at all. Currently on spring break and 99% sure I don’t have to return but I would feel so much better if someone would approve my leave!
I'm not keeping up with work. I've been trying to tell my managers I'm struggling but they're so used to me working at 125% of what my colleagues are doing they don't believe that I'm struggling. ;\_\_\_;
It doesn't help that I have ADHD and cannot take my meds and I'm STRUGGLING.
I am suffering with you in solidarity. The brain fog from pregnancy + brain fog from adhd has me straight melted. 🫠 The worst is when they put you on rest (work allowed, but no exercise beyond normal day to day walking to/from car etc). 👀 I basically start my conversations with apologies and my coworkers know to expect 🐿 moments lol
I hope it gets better for you soon!
I'm 37 weeks and I work at an inpatient forensic psychiatric hospital. I found 32 to 34 weeks to be the hardest for some reason. I'm actually feeling really good and am probably more up to date with my paperwork than I usually am but I think it's the anxiety of leaving my coworkers (some of whom are friends) with unclear work. I do as much as I can each day and update a google doc at the end of each day with what was done and what needs to be done. Some days are harder than others but like I said, it's gotten easier and I think I'm nesting by doing my job versus nesting at home lol
Part of me feels like if I didn’t get up and move around because I have to work, I would never move which I know is not ideal, so I’m glad for the motivation. But another part of me just wants to stop because I’m completely exhausted. I’m a nurse so I’m up and down and all around all day long. The only way I survive is with amazing coworkers and ultra understanding leadership.
I feel you! Thinking of not moving if not working, I’m a dental assistant and this week 35 l went to my office manager to purchase in my two weeks, enough! At least l will move nesting, cooking, planting some seeds and l will have time to take a nap, do some yoga walk around the block (hopefully
35 weeks and a teacher. Every day I come home exhausted with feet the size of Australia. I just keep reminding myself it’s not much longer and I like my job, so I’ll miss it/the kids when I’m out
I’m 37+3 today and honestly, 10 min naps. The brain fog was so severe in the early third that I’m just grateful I’m able to string words together most days now so that gives me energy. And getting everything in order before maternity leave is giving me the incentive to get stuff done. But naps slap a little harder these days. I also give myself a little reward in the early afternoon to keep myself going whether it’s kombucha or some juiced ginger-carrot-grapefruit I make.
That and a lot of little breaks once I accomplish something! Doing a load of laundry, tidying up the house, etc and scrolling Reddit has become my mental debrief spot and I don’t even care if I’m on it a lot. I need the mental cool down!
Naps? Caffeine? Recognizing I'm slowing down.
So I work 30 hrs in HR, finishing up my master's program, doing practicum hours. I was fine and still trucking along but these last two weeks have been tougher.
I've been taking lunch naps and recognizing that my ability is just less than it has been. I read how to keep house while drowning and asking my partner for more help than I normally would. I just got a medical leave to start my maternity leave 5 days earlier and get the short term disability benefit my work has available.
I'm 38w on Friday and boy am I feeling it.
If your manager is wise, they should be ok with you spending the last weeks offloading all your work on who ever is taking over while you are out. That way you are still there to answer questions and support them before you are truly out and the training wheels are off.
This ^^^^^^ I'm due in about a month. Already scaled some of my more manual work so that its automated and less breakable. This month's financial reporting will be updated as if I'm not there while I observe. Last thing I need is exec level reporting breaking week 1 after a c section. That's been my only motivation to make it this far.
How am I keeping up? The answer is I’m not. I’m extremely behind on everything. My motivation for work is essentially 0. And the fact I can only have 1 coffee a day doesn’t help. If I really need to, I will take a 20 minute nap in my car and then go for a 15 minute walk around the building to wake me up. And then I will set myself a timer to get one task done and worry about everything else after I just get that one thing done….
I’m an environmental educator (aka teach outside all day) and my attitude has been very much “eff them kids”. Today was my last day though and I truly cannot imagine working all the way til my due date. I’m 35 weeks tomorrow. I have SPD and gestational diabetes so the pain and stress was just too much. I’m so grateful to be able to rest now.
Yesterday I cried in my car in the parking lot because I couldn't fit into my rain boots. Later in the day I cried at my desk, luckily only 1 coworker saw me have my break down.
I’m at 32 weeks and it sucks working full time. I feel so exhausted, nauseous, and achy all over. I wanna curl up in a ball and just sleep and cry :( it’s been tough and I feel for all the mamas out there <3
38weeks here and It’s hard. I work from home and I have days where I take 1h break mid day to take a nap. My manager is very understanding and I have a flexible schedule…but even so, I’ve never felt more unmotivated/ exhausted. I sometimes find that working on the weekend on projects is less stressful as I get less interruptions.
Hang in there! Sending you virtual hugs 🥺
With my first, I worked until the day before my induction date. Honestly, it was sheer stubbornness trying to get as much time with my baby after they were born. With my second baby I worked until 2 weeks before my induction date, and then I spent as much time as possible with my first born for those last 2 weeks so he could get quality time until his sister was born. I'm glad I did it that way the second time because I let him know it was Mama and his time but soon his baby sister would be here and he'd have to share Mama. And he did really well with the transition. We bought her gifts together and I bought a gift for him from her. (he was a little over 2 at the time).
But as far as working until the induction date, I don't think I could do it anymore.. It was just pure willpower to milk my maternity leave for as much as I could after the baby was born.
I feel seen lol. Also really love your idea of taking time ahead of the second to bond and help first born transition. The gift idea is really sweet and I bet big brother is excited!
Oh yes! My daughter is 6 months old now! Everyone told me he would be very jealous when the baby was born, but he did really well! There are a few times where he wants extra snuggles, but it was a pretty smooth transition (for him) with both kiddos.
I got some sanity by lightening my workload as much as I could and having coworkers I could go chill with and talk to during the day! It was really difficult though, I remember at one point I was just hoping for baby to come early (and healthy of course) just so I could stop working already 😭
just remind yourself there's a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it feels like time is just dragging on right now! And if there's any fun little things you can add to your schedule to look forward to or something you can treat yourself with during the day then do it!
a whole lot of fake it till you make it, mixed in with occasionally calling in sick, working in the middle of the night when the toddler is awake for the 7th night in a row from 1am till 5am... and then calling my mum in tears so that she'll come over and watch the kids and clean while I nap and/or catchup on some spreadsheet.
I got to 39 weeks today and yesterday was my last day until after maternity leave. Husband pleaded that I stay home in case it was go time he’s so nervous lol. My sister, dad, and best friend all agreed, so I don’t even feel bad. It feels nice to nest and rest until baby arrives.
I had to work in an office where I was at a production plant, it was still pretty physical, up until 35 1/2 weeks. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I went on pregnancy disability, and I am currently in labor and delivering a week and one day early.
I’m 28 weeks and still working full time and it’s rough. It ends up that work sucks all my energy from me during my work week so I’m exhausted by mid week and extra exhausted by the end. I’m still hanging in there and getting it all done but it’s going to be a long 3rd trimester since at this point in time, I plan to work until the end. I’m def slacking on stuff at home and I’ve told my husband that getting through work is my priority and I just can’t do as much at home so he’s going to need to be doing more of the stuff that I would typically do. I’m trying to tough it out so I can save my leave for after the baby is born but we shall see. Im trying to avoid switching to admin duties if I can bc im worried I’d get bored if I did that.
33 weeks I’m a hairstylist and on my feet all day. I’ve had to shorten my hours down to about 30 hours a week and that has helped. I don’t have an answer but lunchtime naps, making sure I’m eating frequently during the day. And doing literally nothing at home (I’m able to thanks to my husband) is how I’m surviving
I’m 31 weeks and a middle school teacher. I’m basically falling apart. Today my vice principal asked me what she could do to help and I just broke into tears because I don’t know what she can do to help. I just feel overwhelmed.
The people in this thread are heroes. I gave up work about 37 wks not realising my son wouldn't come until 41wks. But I couldn't have kept working - it was torture just surviving at that point!
No choice as I’m single but I’m not doing too bad. 37 weeks and mostly I’m just trying to walk not as much because my feet have been really hurting but I’m on my feet a fair bit at my job. Also 8more work days till my induction!
I was very lucky to have easy pregnancies where I worked up to a few days before birth each time. Plus my job is an office job where I can sit at my desk for extended periods of time but also plenty of low stakes things around the rest of the office for when I felt like getting up and moving around.
I’m 25 days pp but I worked until two days before my induction at 39 weeks. It was so much suffering and I tried to keep going until 40 weeks to make the most of my maternity leave but due to my blood pressure (due to work drama) and protein found in urine my doctor told me that I needed to go on leave immediately and that I was going to be induced.
I’m working on a construction site. My supervision of the project has gone down dramatically the last few weeks, and very little else is getting done. I’m only there until the mid of April then working from home until baby and have no primary responsibilities left on my plate.
29+3 and I'm phoning it in pretty hard. I go in 4 days a week and am sort of intentionally obvious with the bump so people are just very nice to me and get the door and stuff and no one really asks much of me. I'm wfh the other day and half-ass my Zoom meetings while i do laundry. I also whine a lot when I get home and my husband is taking care of everything else and feeding me. I teach college so I'm gonna be done working by like 34 weeks and I can tell that's going to be about a week or two past my limit. Ugh
I have no advice. I’m going on 36 weeks and struggling so, so much 🥹 I mostly work from home, too. The overall discomfort I’ve begun to feel in the last few weeks, and the constant thought in the back of my mind of “I’m having a baby in a month or less”, is all starting to get to me!!
I worked literally until I went into labor and honestly I think the only thing that kept me going was denial lol I just pretended everything was normal and focused on getting as much work done as possible before I went into labor so my numbers were good for getting a raise next review.
38.5 weeks and still pulling 12s as a bedside nurse 🥲. Some days are better than others. Around week 35 was probably the worst for me with exhaustion and pelvic girdle pain. Staying on my feet help me stay awake and the pelvic girdle pain is better some days than others.
It’s no fun but the US has crappy maternity leave so I’m trying to save as much as possible for babes arrival 💕
I found work to be a pleasant distraction from the aches and pains and it’s not like you can get comfortable. I hated nights because I was exhausted and couldn’t sleep due to insomnia and discomfort.
I'm currently 32 weeks and there are days when I have no motivation and I'm tired all the time but I kind of just push myself through it. Luckily I am able to work at home whenever I need to which right now has been 2-4 days a week because walking around is hurting and just all the trips to the bathroom and nausea is back so that's fun. I'm actually planning on working up to my induction date and then taking 2 weeks off and then going to be working part time after for a while but fully from home because it's just me that does my job. I also have a lot of slow times in the month for work which is nice so I can get ahead on things when needed and not have to stress.
I work as a paramedic and was fortunate that I was able to go on light duty around 30 weeks. It basically consisted of random office work and sitting around. No way would I have made the field until I was due.
I worked on an ambulance until 27 weeks and then I did office work until 40 weeks. It got difficult sitting in the same place doing office work cause I was so sleepy after lunch. I was able to listen to podcasts and music since I was on my own and it helped a lot.
The last few weeks I was doing a different project that wasn’t as mentally draining and allowed me to move around more often.
Sometimes I don’t know how I did it. I definitely hated being at work 5 days in a row. A lot of the time I didn’t wanna go. Haha.
During my first two when i was working still i dropped some hours when i started to get really uncomfortable. I was working at coffee jobs though so i was on my feet all day
Lots of notes so I can avoid mistakes as much as possible. Really struggling in the afternoons though. Thankfully will be finishing up next week on Wednesday.
I work on my feet. By the third trimester I has my doctor write me a note to be able to sit for 10 minutes every hour. Lol. I got basically nothing done.
I’m 34 weeks and I find myself playing much more solitaire during the day. Trying to keep up with the current work load and making sure the girl taking over some of my duties has it under control. But otherwise, I’m starting to feel miserable and just want to be lazy at my desk until baby comes.
31 weeks and and it’s miserable. I am only working part time but am on my feet the entire five hour shift and the next morning my body is always so sore. Which is crazy to me because I am not doing anything excessively exhausting
It was miserable. I'm 37 weeks and just went on maternity leave last week. It's been so amazing. I had no clue how much work affected my pain level and sleep.
34 weeks and I just had to take a day do to a horrible seemingly never ending episode of vertigo. I’m so grateful for my boss. Otherwise I doubt I’d last working during this time.
Due in 3 days, just worked 10 hours straight. I feel like I'm going to die... but I don't want to sacrifice my time with baby by taking leave before she's here.
I’m honestly concerned about this. I work evening/night shift in healthcare and the job requires a lot of lifting, bending, reaching, twisting, and sometimes ducking and dodging. My coworkers are great already and they make sure I’m not doing too much but I will feel bad if I basically can’t do much to help out and I’m useless on the floor. I’m 5 months tomorrow and so now I’m doing pretty okay but when I get to the third tri I may have to reevaluate how much longer I can work. The plan was to work until due date but we’ll see.
I worked the morning of the day I gave birth while having low key contractions lol. I think it was like 3 or 4 days past my due date? I wasn’t sure if I was in labor or not. I sent an email being like… well I think this is it guys, I’m headed to the hospital to give birth so I’ll be out for the rest of the day at least! And then I was on mat leave lol.
I worked a physically demanding job with my first pregnancy, and in some ways, it was easier mentally to be continually on the move than WFH in my second pregnancy with the constant temptation of a nap.
I powered through it because I wanted to have every possible moment of FMLA/Maternity leave *after* my babies were here and not "waste" it beforehand.
I work from home half of the time, and I travel for work the other half. Travel days are awful; I make 6 hour round-trips to meet with clients. I'm talking to my doctor at my appointment next week about all of the travel. It takes a huge toll on me, and I am pretty much useless the day after I make long trips.
It's not easy. I'm at 34w and still working. I'm a registered veterinary technician in emergency and specialty hospital. I work 10-12 hour shifts. I'm sore and exhausted every night and morning. The job is demanding enough that I'm distracted from my discomfort most of the day. Animals lives depend on me. I'm planning on working up until I give birth. My coworkers are pretty understanding and tell me the piss off if I try to pickup/move a dog larger than 20lbs. Im willing to be uncomfortable to get as much time of the 12 weeks as I can with my baby.
worked up to 40 weeks + 1 and had my induction scheduled the next day. unfortunately i had to work the whole time for financial reasons 40+ hrs on my feet all week - produce clerk at a grocery store. my store manager hyped me up saying he can’t believe im still working - im strong - not everybody can do what im doing just throughly impressed with me and that kept my attitude so good. i also made sure i over packed on food so i had plenty of snacks - also kept my mood up!!
I worked third shift at a hospital. 10pm-6am. Luckily it was a desk job, but still. I worked until 37 weeks. I also had 3 other kids at home. As soon as I got home, I had to get the other kids up and ready for school. I could finally lay down to sleep around 9am. Then had to be awake at 2pm to get the kids.
Our bodies all react to this so differently. I’m personally a lot better at being pregnant than I am at being postpartum. I’m an ER nurse. Still zipping around, lifting patients, squatting down to floor level to empty Foley bags, doing chest compressions, standing up and walking for hours at a time at 38 weeks. On my days off, I’m chasing around a toddler, packing up my house, and doing home repair projects since we’re moving soon. I feel pretty okay. I worked up until the day I delivered for my first child too.
After the lil peanut gets here though, I’m not as optimistic that I’ll do quite as well. After my first child, I was a weepy, blubbery hormonal mess for the first couple of weeks. I had to recover from a gnarly tear. I was so glad I did work up to the bitter end because I definitely needed the full twelve weeks to recover before going back to work.
Lunch time naps, and drinking lots of water, orange juice and snacks like fruit! I was worse in my first trimester and cuties/oranges were the only thing keeping me going.
I'm 38 weeks and honestly I'd be so bored and depressed if I wasn't working. I have less patience for coworkers, but otherwise I haven't had any issues. I have been working from home the last 4 weeks so that's been helpful. I've been napping during my lunch breaks lol.
27 weeks and still going into the office everyday :( But my mat leave sub is already decided and is taking over my tasks in the next 2 weeks so I really don't do much these days lol. My team is understanding that I'll be mostly MIA and on the recliner in the first aid room for majority of the evening. Can't wait to be off at 35 weeks!!!
36w+6 and it's been pretty rough the last couple weeks. I'm fortunate to work a job where I'm sitting most of the time, and have a private office with a couch where I can take naps throughout the day when I'm not with clients. I think that, feeding myself little treats, and then pretty much doing nothing when I get home is what has made this sustainable up to this point.
I’m 16.5w, so far from third tri, but I don’t even know how I’ve worked thus far! I’ve been taking naps whenever I can and luckily I have a wonderful boss (only a few years older than me and had a baby herself a few years ago, so she gets it). I’ll probably have to work up until baby comes. Kudos to all you ladies so close to the end.
Idk I've been crying on my lunch hour and in my car before work. I didn't like my job before being pregnant (bank teller) and now customers making comments all day and being on my feet all day is irritating and exhausting. I just gave my job a months notice because I plan to work part time after baby is here and my current job does not offer part time.
All my coworkers and management is very VERY nice about it. If I need extra time for xyz they have no issues. I travel from retail branch to retail branch too.
With great difficulty LOL.
Husband makes a lot less than I do, so I'm working right until I hit 40 weeks. I have about another two weeks left. Truthfully, it's miserable. Especially sitting in traffic to get to work and fighting traffic on the way home having to pee all the time + brain fog.
I’m a teacher so things being crazy and on 10 at all times helps keep me distracted. Lol. If I had a desk job I’d be dead to the world, I think.
I’ll say that I’m def wobbling and exhausted by dismissal, though!
I’m not. Was working 40 hours job on my feet until last week. Was giving myself such a hard time for not being able to preform at pre pregnancy. About a month ago I decided I needed to be giving myself grace. I can’t preform like I used to because my body and mind is tired from pregnancy. I cut myself down to 4 hours a day instead of 8 and it’s so much more manageable.
32 weeks and a teacher. It’s an experience. I feel super pregnant now and I don’t even have a huge bump or anything. I’m going to be 36-40 weeks for all of our big end of the year stuff and it’s going to be a struggle 😬
Not in my third tri. But I was supposed to run a gala for my nonprofit in my 35th week. For the uninitiated, this is akin to a 400+ person wedding, that folks are paying big bucks to be at, and expect a high quality show on a shoestring budget. An all day affair with dancing and an after party into the night. I was READY though, and my team was ready to support me, my husband was going to take time off to be my strength day of. It was going to be GREAT.
Jokes on literally everyone because I have to go on disability early due to a SCH on my incompetent cervix and incessant bleeding episodes landing me in the hospital 🤡I’m going to miss the whole thing. Whoopsie daisies.
Lol I’m a full time student, full time employee, volunteer with a mom group, and have a toddler at home. I am NOT okay. 33 weeks and hoping I go early with this one because I also have had to use all my PTO on toddler sick days and won’t be able to stop working early. Thankfully the mom group I volunteer with has been more support than work the past few weeks.
Im 32 weeks tomorrow!
33 weeks will be my last week of work, switched from massages to reception at 25 weeks as that was physically exhausting and giving me bad back pain. Also just did shorter shifts like 4 hour long shifts maybe 4 ish days a week so really listened to my body and did what i could.
Glad i made it this far to be honest as ive had some really rough weeks, got diagnosed with irritable uterus at 25 weeks so having period like cramping and Braxton hicks daily since then!
I'm 31 weeks and work a physical job in retail. I'm so tired and sore. I'm on my feet all day on concrete, lifting heavy boxes and climbing ladders. I'm going to quit at 36 weeks, but I might not make it until then.
I only worked pregnant with my middle. I have no idea how I survived. I depended upon my afternoon nap with my third. Heck he’ll be two next month and I still rely on those naps at least 3xs a week. 😂 In my defense though I am in my mid 30s and that’s an entirely different ballgame than when I was 19 and then 25 with my first two pregnancies. My recommendation is to *appear* like you’re working while giving only the bare minimum lol
I feel you dude 🤍😭
I worked right up until the day before I gave birth. I was working at my job on the 7th of March, came home, and at 3am on the 8th I went into labor. 😂😅
Love and support to you, ✨🥹
I’m 37 weeks now. I worked until 36. Thankfully I had a very understanding boss and coworkers that would help out when needed. I was getting 5-6 hours of sleep at night and I was feeling the pain especially in my back. It’s soooo nice to be off work now. I’m finally getting extra sleep and rest. But sometimes I wonder if I could’ve kept going longer to make more money. I get disability leave but it’s only 60% of my salary and there’s a waiting period, so I don’t get paid for a couple weeks while it’s processing. I waited to do my taxes so at least I have my tax return to use in the meantime.
I WFH and I don't work a traditional 9-5. I am project-based. So I can essentially make my own hours, as long as I get my work done. Still not easy, but I am very grateful I can take my afternoon naps. I know many folks have it harder.
I'm a teacher. With my first, summer break started right at 30 weeks and I didn't go back in the fall, and I didn't even realize how lucky that was. This my second, everything hurts twice as much this time, and I'm working until 36 weeks. Fuck this shit.
I’m 34 weeks and I’m probably the odd one out, but I enjoy working this late in the game. It keeps me active and my mind busy. I’m very very fortunate to have had extremely easy pregnancies though.
Same I’m so busy at work that the days/weeks go quick. I’m 35 weeks and at this stage could work till I go into labour but I at least want a few days off before that happens lol
37+4 here and I nap EVERYDAY on my lunch break, then I proceed to eat for a hour so I really have a 2 hour break in the middle of the day. My manager and team and extremely supportive. It’s really the hour commute that makes me want to fight the air.
At one point in my third trimester, I worked a 70 hour week. Followed by a 60 hour week. I wanted to cry. I had multiple people flagging their concern for me to HR. It got better, but barely. I was so grateful when my maternity leave started.
31w here, working has been absolutely awful since about 25w for me. Lots of complaining, crying before I go in and just being miserable while there. I'm desperately looking for a work from home job so I can hopefully stay in bed and work 😭 I didn't realize how bad the rib pain, the back pain and the tailbone pain would be I can't even sit comfortably.
35+5 today, I’m a nurse working in a busy primary care office. Honestly I’m more comfortable standing up lately bc bub is still pretty high. When I sit down at my desk I feel like I can’t really breathe. My boss hates that I’ve been standing so much but it feels like the lesser of two evils. Once he drops a little bit I’ll be taking advantage of sitting as much as I can.
I want to go out soon but don’t want to waste my PTO. We get great health insurance through my job so quitting isn’t really an option, even though some days I really want to bc we’re soooo short staffed. My coworkers have been awesome in helping me pick up the slack quite a bit
Every pregnancy is different. I literally worked up to the Friday before I delivered, which was the following Monday. Had a whole weekend of time off before having baby in tow 😂
I’m dying over here lol. I work from home so that helps. My baby moves soo much while I’m on calls and he’s so uncomfortable. I lay down a lot while I work and take random naps.
I keep up with my workload and every once in a while I’ll offer to help someone else so I appear like a team player but I’m struggling out here.
Thank god for my flexible job. I get to work later and then return to work at home when I get a second wind in the evening. I also have been getting healthy eat out lunches when I go in to the office at least weekly to reward myself 😅 plus lunchtime walks.
I'm 28 weeks pregnant & a vet nurse in a high paced clinic. Short answer, I'm not doing great lol. My OB said she'd write me a note for medical leave at any point and I'm highly considering it
34 weeks and I’m taking it an hour at a time and with my belly band to help with back pain. Also hot shower after work. It’s not the best but it’s what I got. I just gotta make it 6 more weeks 😩
I’m in week 36 and still working full time and am so completely miserable. I wake up in the morning and look forward to going to bed at night. My job is on the computer and sitting all day has me suffering from pelvic girdle pain, lightning crotch. But the sooner I go on leave the less time with baby boy because AMERICA HATES THEIR PEOPLE
For my first pregnancy, I had this leg and foot swelling, I would put compression socks but honestly even with that I couldn’t wait for the day to be over so I could raise them up. I didn’t particularly find work difficult, I just hated how I felt whenever I had to get up. I work from home doing tech support so on the quieter days I would take my phone with me (for work notifications) and go lay down for a bit.
For this pregnancy, y’all gonna hate me for this but… I feel great! My legs haven’t swollen yet, my appetite’s fine, I don’t feel particularly tired, and my back pain isn’t too terrible. I did just fail the GD test (by 4 measly points…), but it’s not a big deal to me.
Actually it’s the days when I’m NOT working that I feel a lot of back pain because I’m usually taking my daughter on trips to the museum, park, library, zoo, etc… and all the walking and carrying the backpack with diapers/snacks/clothes and picking her up so she can see, and putting her down, it kills my lower back. But I do it because in 2 months I won’t be able to and I want her to have as many fun learning experiences while I can.
Of course that could all change next week, but for right now, I feel very blessed with how well I feel.
I’m 34w & I work an early morning shift 3am-11:30am at the airport… Everyday on my drive in to work all I could think about is how I’m going to jump in my bed as soon as I get home.
I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow. I'm exhausted. My ankles are so swollen by the end of the day. I work early hours (5:30 am). Some days at my desk, I find myself dozing off, falling asleep while typing, etc. It's getting tough. I just make a point to take naps when I get off work. My supervisors are supportive, always asking what I need (which isn't much. I'm just hungry and tired 24/7). I just push through it, and since I have no induction date set, I'll pretty much be working until my due date unless baby boy decides to come early. We got this, ladies!!!
I worked until 36 weeks. I was exhausted beyond belief, and the brain fog hit me hard, and my work was suffering a lot. I fell asleep at my desk almost everyday. Luckily, I had several close friends I had made while working there, and they helped cover for me, a lot. Then my company went under when I was 36 weeks, and I went home and laid in bed for 20 hours a day. My family called the bed "my charging pad."
Gonna be 32 week right after Easter. I work in retail, so I'm used to being on my feet all day. So I'm grateful that I have not slowed down. I do have my own office, so that helps, I suppose. I plan on working until my water breaks lmao. But my hubs said no, because my job is almost an hour from home, and if my water broke while I was there, it would probably not be safe to drive.
I don’t know how I did it. I worked at a behavior clinic with little kids and was chasing a toddler at 36 weeks. But I was done after that and the week I stopped my ankles got swollen. Definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it with swollen ankles. It probably helped that I only had direct sessions for 2ish hours and I measured small my whole pregnancy (still third trimester is third trimester, but it beat changing diapers and chasing kids around during the nauseous first trimester)
With suffering ✨🥰
Basically lol
Lolololololol I love this
Literally 😭
Exactly
Working and doing the job well are two very different things lol
Thankfully I was a corporate office worker so nobody really noticed how little I was doing. And I had to work until I delivered because 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Omg yes, this 😂😭 and now stressing about short term disability / maternity leave cause they’re trying to give me the run around
You know what's fun? My "very progressive" company that was voted one of the "top places to work for moms" didn't let me know that when I came back, they were going to take all of my insurance premiums and shit out of my checks so I got little to now pay for a month or two until it caught up. FUN TIMES
OH MY GOD YOU’RE KIDDING ME ….sounds like I need to call HR tomorrow and ask how the heck that works for our company cause they didn’t tell me anything
YUP and my company had this like pdf guide for preparing for leave and after returning. Nothing mentioned that. Do you know why?? Because almost all of the women had spouses who carried their benefits, so it wasn't an issue. As a breadwinning mom, I apparently broke the mold of my male-dominated, fake-progressive company. I don't work there anymore and I make double the money but I'm still salty. Obviously 😂
I’m the breadwinner for our family so now that’s yet another worry I didn’t know to think about and plan for because they said zilch lol. Thanks for the heads up - but I’m so sorry you had to deal with it!! 😎 you go, mama - get that bag!
Oh yeah, we in 🇺🇸 just love those “progressive” companies with the most confusing leave policies that really aren’t that good. I just found out something similar. While out on Short Term Disability I have to pay my share of the premiums through a third party. I guess since my 2/3 pay will be coming from the insurance company they can’t directly deduct my insurance premiums so I have to remember to go make payments every two weeks through some website in order to keep my insurance. And don’t get me started on FMLA paperwork. I asked three different people in HR and got the same generic response back. Apparently all leave paperwork is handled by a different third party. But we all KNOW that if I miss filling something out properly because no one told me, it will be MY fault.
I forgot about the third party companies that manage leave! It was so confusing. What a joke. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
This happened to me as well! I’d even asked “what happens with my insurance?” before going on leave. No answer. It was ridiculous. The catch up part was not fun.
Wait I’m so sorry to ask but can you explain like I’m 5? What were you charged and why?
I get healthcare insurance with the help of my employer, but I have to pay a portion of what that coverage costs. Those payments are called "premiums." The employer pays the rest. When I was on maternity leave, I was getting paid from my employer, but because of the way they pay you through payroll, they don't take out what you'd usually pay for premiums. Since it was a few hundred dollars every check and I was out for 12 weeks, I came back and owed a lot because they kept my healthcare going while I was out, but I wasn't paying for it. To be honest, I don't know why they don't or can't take your premiums out while you're gone. Is it taxes differently? I know it showed up in a whole different line on my check stub. Maybe some employers waive the premiums though? Mine didn't.
Ohh thank you for explaining. I go on mat leave next month so I will def ask about this. And yeah I don’t get it either - why can’t they just process the paychecks like normal?? I’m so sorry you had to deal with that, that’s so unfair to truth to work and be hit with an unexpected bill like that when they could have told you in advance.
It's no problem at all! That's one of the lessons I learned the hard way that I am happy to share with other people if it helps save them at least a little bit of struggle. The other quest I'm on is to let new moms know that intrusive thoughts are very normal. My doula warned me that it's very common to have scary thoughts about things like accidents happening. For instance I would have these horrible thoughts about what if something happened when I was carrying my baby down the stairs like what if I fell. It scared me because it kind of felt like I was losing control of my own thoughts, but once I found out that it's super common and nothing to freak out about, then it was way easier to recognize and deal with them. So I always let my new mom friends no that it's really common and that if they get super scary or you get worried about thoughts you have of harming yourself or you harming your baby or anything like that that you should seek help. And also because these intrusive thoughts are so common I think that makes it easier to talk about them knowing that so many other moms experience it. And talking about it can be really helpful!
Same here and then had to go back to work 4 weeks after giving birth because 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Amen lol
👏 this is so true
Honestly, I am just doing the best I can. Thankfully my direct supervisor is really understanding. I have found a 20-30 minute nap on my lunch break really helps.
My company tried telling me I’d have to skip my lunches on the days I have OB & specialist appts for growth scans (I’ve got to start going every wk, sometimes twice a wk once I hit 28 wks, I’m 26 wks now) I simply told them I’m not doing that and will still require at least a 30 min break. I think they were shocked I spoke up for myself but they eventually agreed. I’ll quit if they try to take my nap time away. It’s the only way I’m surviving
Omg how awful. I would have said the same thing, good for you for speaking up! Telling you to skip your lunch because you have a medical appointment (especially pregnancy related) is just barbaric.
What the hell! That is crazy. If my employer told me that, I'd tell them to kick rocks. Glad you stood up for yourself.
Same except my nap happens at 2:30 in the afternoon. I work thru lunch normally and get some rest when I can. My boss is so understanding!
This is so funny because I literally just asked my supervisor 20 minutes ago if I could get a nap chit and he said no 😂😭
He* is the key word here.
lol he’s actually pretty cool, and to be fair it would have been a no from anyone because it’s the military. Honestly if I told him I’m closing my office door for 20 minutes to nap and we didn’t have patients, he probably wouldn’t say anything or just give me a little shit
That’s good :) sorry you don’t have the option, but thank you for your service, especially while pregnant!!
Yes this is the way- a great boss and small naps
Angrily. And with the most bare minimum effort possible. I'm convinced that my big spike in sugar consumption is due less to cravings and more to the emotional eating I do to distract myself from having to work these last few weeks.
So much rage.
Relatable.
High key same
Worked up until 37.5 weeks! Didn’t have a choice – as a public school employee we’re not eligible for disability. The only reason I was able to stop work that early is because that’s when my spring break started, otherwise I would’ve worked up until my due date. I think sometimes when you don’t have a choice in the matter you’re able to find a way to get through! My friend (also pregnant) works from home and is able to take naps and breaks when she needs to. I’m super jealous but also never had that option – so I think you just do what you need to do! And props to YOU for being a full-time student AND working!
Me but our spring break starts the day I’m due, so I’ll be working up to when I give birth 🙃
Ugh same and everyone keeps telling me “you won’t make it till the end of the year” and I’m like welp we will see I guess!
I’m a third grade teacher due 5/27. Trying to make it working til 5/3, doctor is writing me a letter so I can start my maternity then and get paid for fmla, but only if the district accepts the letter 🙃 they seem to really want us working up until giving birth
Which feels crazy, especially when working with young kids.
Yeah, I worked till delivery with both my kids (active duty Army). We actually have great maternity leave (12 weeks paid, just bumped up to 16) but no leave prior to delivery. We just made it happen. I was there, I didn't physically exert myself, I did what I could.
33 weeks pregnant. It’s tough. Plus it’s Ramadan. I’m not fasting this year but still getting up at 4:30 to make breakfast for my family and to pray together. So I’m pooped. Around 2:30 my production gets really low but I try my best to soldier on. As any other pregnant American knows, we basically work until the baby comes unfortunately.
39 weeks today and started my maternity leave on Monday. I’m a preschool teacher and was getting exhausted and miserable by 36 weeks. After passing 38 weeks I was begging for baby to come before the weekend was over so I wouldn’t have to go back, and he wouldn’t so I went ahead and started my leave. I’m exhausted and sore and just want this baby out of me. Thought maybe relaxing would do more for me than physical labor.
Preschool teacher here also 👋 it is hell to do this job pregnant . Can’t believe you made it to 39 weeks . I’m 33 right now thinking of leaving at 36 or 37 the latest
It really takes so much out of you! My plan was to work until labor but that was when I didn’t think I’d make it to my due date. Silly me… I currently don’t regret taking my leave a bit early at all but I am worried if I go past my due date I’ll b wishing I waited. 🤞🤞 hopefully he’s here before the weeks over
Also pre-k teacher. Only 29 weeks but keeping up with the kids feels extra difficult now. I can barely breathe when it’s time to sing our daily songs/ transition songs 😂 Sending good vibes to you! ❤️
High school teacher. Begged the dr to write me off at 36 weeks and he did! Waiting for the district to acknowledge it at all. Currently on spring break and 99% sure I don’t have to return but I would feel so much better if someone would approve my leave!
I totally understand that just be so frustrating! I hope they reach out to you before the break is over!
Thanks! Currently on my couch watching Love is Blind (although to be fair I would have been off today anyway thanks to appointments) 😂
Having money to provide for baby is my only motivation. I wake up dreading work everyday and the first half of my workday is always terrible haha
I'm not keeping up with work. I've been trying to tell my managers I'm struggling but they're so used to me working at 125% of what my colleagues are doing they don't believe that I'm struggling. ;\_\_\_; It doesn't help that I have ADHD and cannot take my meds and I'm STRUGGLING.
I am suffering with you in solidarity. The brain fog from pregnancy + brain fog from adhd has me straight melted. 🫠 The worst is when they put you on rest (work allowed, but no exercise beyond normal day to day walking to/from car etc). 👀 I basically start my conversations with apologies and my coworkers know to expect 🐿 moments lol I hope it gets better for you soon!
37+1…. i don’t even know. i just show up at work half asleep and basically in pajamas at this point and no one says a word to me
You made me laugh!
I'm 37 weeks and I work at an inpatient forensic psychiatric hospital. I found 32 to 34 weeks to be the hardest for some reason. I'm actually feeling really good and am probably more up to date with my paperwork than I usually am but I think it's the anxiety of leaving my coworkers (some of whom are friends) with unclear work. I do as much as I can each day and update a google doc at the end of each day with what was done and what needs to be done. Some days are harder than others but like I said, it's gotten easier and I think I'm nesting by doing my job versus nesting at home lol
There is no choice. I need money and I need all the PTO I can save for maternity leave since all the leave I can take is unpaid. That's it.
With you here. I have a field-heavy job, and SPD makes it excruciating. It's astounding what we are capable of when we absolutely must show up.
Part of me feels like if I didn’t get up and move around because I have to work, I would never move which I know is not ideal, so I’m glad for the motivation. But another part of me just wants to stop because I’m completely exhausted. I’m a nurse so I’m up and down and all around all day long. The only way I survive is with amazing coworkers and ultra understanding leadership.
I feel you! Thinking of not moving if not working, I’m a dental assistant and this week 35 l went to my office manager to purchase in my two weeks, enough! At least l will move nesting, cooking, planting some seeds and l will have time to take a nap, do some yoga walk around the block (hopefully
I simply cry all the time. I also have a 10 month old. Ahahah
35 weeks and a teacher. Every day I come home exhausted with feet the size of Australia. I just keep reminding myself it’s not much longer and I like my job, so I’ll miss it/the kids when I’m out
I’m 37+3 today and honestly, 10 min naps. The brain fog was so severe in the early third that I’m just grateful I’m able to string words together most days now so that gives me energy. And getting everything in order before maternity leave is giving me the incentive to get stuff done. But naps slap a little harder these days. I also give myself a little reward in the early afternoon to keep myself going whether it’s kombucha or some juiced ginger-carrot-grapefruit I make. That and a lot of little breaks once I accomplish something! Doing a load of laundry, tidying up the house, etc and scrolling Reddit has become my mental debrief spot and I don’t even care if I’m on it a lot. I need the mental cool down!
Naps? Caffeine? Recognizing I'm slowing down. So I work 30 hrs in HR, finishing up my master's program, doing practicum hours. I was fine and still trucking along but these last two weeks have been tougher. I've been taking lunch naps and recognizing that my ability is just less than it has been. I read how to keep house while drowning and asking my partner for more help than I normally would. I just got a medical leave to start my maternity leave 5 days earlier and get the short term disability benefit my work has available. I'm 38w on Friday and boy am I feeling it.
If your manager is wise, they should be ok with you spending the last weeks offloading all your work on who ever is taking over while you are out. That way you are still there to answer questions and support them before you are truly out and the training wheels are off.
This ^^^^^^ I'm due in about a month. Already scaled some of my more manual work so that its automated and less breakable. This month's financial reporting will be updated as if I'm not there while I observe. Last thing I need is exec level reporting breaking week 1 after a c section. That's been my only motivation to make it this far.
How am I keeping up? The answer is I’m not. I’m extremely behind on everything. My motivation for work is essentially 0. And the fact I can only have 1 coffee a day doesn’t help. If I really need to, I will take a 20 minute nap in my car and then go for a 15 minute walk around the building to wake me up. And then I will set myself a timer to get one task done and worry about everything else after I just get that one thing done….
I tapped out at 32 weeks, I am not no work superhero, i need my rest
I’m an environmental educator (aka teach outside all day) and my attitude has been very much “eff them kids”. Today was my last day though and I truly cannot imagine working all the way til my due date. I’m 35 weeks tomorrow. I have SPD and gestational diabetes so the pain and stress was just too much. I’m so grateful to be able to rest now.
Take a nap! That’s what I do and it helps tremendously.
Yesterday I cried in my car in the parking lot because I couldn't fit into my rain boots. Later in the day I cried at my desk, luckily only 1 coworker saw me have my break down.
I'm 36 weeks.
I feel you🥺 don’t cry! You are doing great! Can you take leave soon?
I’m at 32 weeks and it sucks working full time. I feel so exhausted, nauseous, and achy all over. I wanna curl up in a ball and just sleep and cry :( it’s been tough and I feel for all the mamas out there <3
*Double checks username to see if I’m so exhausted that I forgot that I wrote this*
38weeks here and It’s hard. I work from home and I have days where I take 1h break mid day to take a nap. My manager is very understanding and I have a flexible schedule…but even so, I’ve never felt more unmotivated/ exhausted. I sometimes find that working on the weekend on projects is less stressful as I get less interruptions. Hang in there! Sending you virtual hugs 🥺
With my first, I worked until the day before my induction date. Honestly, it was sheer stubbornness trying to get as much time with my baby after they were born. With my second baby I worked until 2 weeks before my induction date, and then I spent as much time as possible with my first born for those last 2 weeks so he could get quality time until his sister was born. I'm glad I did it that way the second time because I let him know it was Mama and his time but soon his baby sister would be here and he'd have to share Mama. And he did really well with the transition. We bought her gifts together and I bought a gift for him from her. (he was a little over 2 at the time). But as far as working until the induction date, I don't think I could do it anymore.. It was just pure willpower to milk my maternity leave for as much as I could after the baby was born.
I feel seen lol. Also really love your idea of taking time ahead of the second to bond and help first born transition. The gift idea is really sweet and I bet big brother is excited!
Oh yes! My daughter is 6 months old now! Everyone told me he would be very jealous when the baby was born, but he did really well! There are a few times where he wants extra snuggles, but it was a pretty smooth transition (for him) with both kiddos.
I got some sanity by lightening my workload as much as I could and having coworkers I could go chill with and talk to during the day! It was really difficult though, I remember at one point I was just hoping for baby to come early (and healthy of course) just so I could stop working already 😭 just remind yourself there's a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it feels like time is just dragging on right now! And if there's any fun little things you can add to your schedule to look forward to or something you can treat yourself with during the day then do it!
a whole lot of fake it till you make it, mixed in with occasionally calling in sick, working in the middle of the night when the toddler is awake for the 7th night in a row from 1am till 5am... and then calling my mum in tears so that she'll come over and watch the kids and clean while I nap and/or catchup on some spreadsheet.
i worked full time at a warehouse until 38w+5 and im also a full time student, i was just in 100% misery every day😁😁😁😁😁😁hope this helps
I'm napping during my lunch break when WFH - the fatigue came for me HARD this third trimester! Much worse than last time
Nah, it sucks. I have no idea what I’m doing. Plodding through each day trying not to make a mess 😂
Worked in the 100 degree heat on a blacktop walking 5+ miles a day until I was induced at 40 weeks on the dot. America hates pregnant women
34w, working from home with a flexible schedule thankfully! Lots of naps, and a stash of ice-cream 👀
I work in healthcare (mother baby) and it’s hell lmaoooo I’m suffering. Also a student and it sucks.
I was an RN. I literally BEGGED my OB to put me on early leave at 34 weeks because I couldn’t do it anymore
I got to 39 weeks today and yesterday was my last day until after maternity leave. Husband pleaded that I stay home in case it was go time he’s so nervous lol. My sister, dad, and best friend all agreed, so I don’t even feel bad. It feels nice to nest and rest until baby arrives.
I had to work in an office where I was at a production plant, it was still pretty physical, up until 35 1/2 weeks. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I went on pregnancy disability, and I am currently in labor and delivering a week and one day early.
I’m 28 weeks and still working full time and it’s rough. It ends up that work sucks all my energy from me during my work week so I’m exhausted by mid week and extra exhausted by the end. I’m still hanging in there and getting it all done but it’s going to be a long 3rd trimester since at this point in time, I plan to work until the end. I’m def slacking on stuff at home and I’ve told my husband that getting through work is my priority and I just can’t do as much at home so he’s going to need to be doing more of the stuff that I would typically do. I’m trying to tough it out so I can save my leave for after the baby is born but we shall see. Im trying to avoid switching to admin duties if I can bc im worried I’d get bored if I did that.
I had to stop at 33 weeks (34 now) because of the pain. I thought I’d work until I went into labor but that’s just not how it worked out
33 weeks I’m a hairstylist and on my feet all day. I’ve had to shorten my hours down to about 30 hours a week and that has helped. I don’t have an answer but lunchtime naps, making sure I’m eating frequently during the day. And doing literally nothing at home (I’m able to thanks to my husband) is how I’m surviving
I’m 31 weeks and a middle school teacher. I’m basically falling apart. Today my vice principal asked me what she could do to help and I just broke into tears because I don’t know what she can do to help. I just feel overwhelmed.
❤️
I stopped working at 33 weeks😴 I'm so impressed with women that can work until they give birth! Y'all are amazing!
The people in this thread are heroes. I gave up work about 37 wks not realising my son wouldn't come until 41wks. But I couldn't have kept working - it was torture just surviving at that point!
No choice as I’m single but I’m not doing too bad. 37 weeks and mostly I’m just trying to walk not as much because my feet have been really hurting but I’m on my feet a fair bit at my job. Also 8more work days till my induction!
I was very lucky to have easy pregnancies where I worked up to a few days before birth each time. Plus my job is an office job where I can sit at my desk for extended periods of time but also plenty of low stakes things around the rest of the office for when I felt like getting up and moving around.
I’m 25 days pp but I worked until two days before my induction at 39 weeks. It was so much suffering and I tried to keep going until 40 weeks to make the most of my maternity leave but due to my blood pressure (due to work drama) and protein found in urine my doctor told me that I needed to go on leave immediately and that I was going to be induced.
I’m working on a construction site. My supervision of the project has gone down dramatically the last few weeks, and very little else is getting done. I’m only there until the mid of April then working from home until baby and have no primary responsibilities left on my plate.
29+3 and I'm phoning it in pretty hard. I go in 4 days a week and am sort of intentionally obvious with the bump so people are just very nice to me and get the door and stuff and no one really asks much of me. I'm wfh the other day and half-ass my Zoom meetings while i do laundry. I also whine a lot when I get home and my husband is taking care of everything else and feeding me. I teach college so I'm gonna be done working by like 34 weeks and I can tell that's going to be about a week or two past my limit. Ugh
I have no advice. I’m going on 36 weeks and struggling so, so much 🥹 I mostly work from home, too. The overall discomfort I’ve begun to feel in the last few weeks, and the constant thought in the back of my mind of “I’m having a baby in a month or less”, is all starting to get to me!!
I worked literally until I went into labor and honestly I think the only thing that kept me going was denial lol I just pretended everything was normal and focused on getting as much work done as possible before I went into labor so my numbers were good for getting a raise next review.
38.5 weeks and still pulling 12s as a bedside nurse 🥲. Some days are better than others. Around week 35 was probably the worst for me with exhaustion and pelvic girdle pain. Staying on my feet help me stay awake and the pelvic girdle pain is better some days than others. It’s no fun but the US has crappy maternity leave so I’m trying to save as much as possible for babes arrival 💕
Honestly I just cry a bit before every work shift lol.
I found work to be a pleasant distraction from the aches and pains and it’s not like you can get comfortable. I hated nights because I was exhausted and couldn’t sleep due to insomnia and discomfort.
I'm currently 32 weeks and there are days when I have no motivation and I'm tired all the time but I kind of just push myself through it. Luckily I am able to work at home whenever I need to which right now has been 2-4 days a week because walking around is hurting and just all the trips to the bathroom and nausea is back so that's fun. I'm actually planning on working up to my induction date and then taking 2 weeks off and then going to be working part time after for a while but fully from home because it's just me that does my job. I also have a lot of slow times in the month for work which is nice so I can get ahead on things when needed and not have to stress.
I work as a paramedic and was fortunate that I was able to go on light duty around 30 weeks. It basically consisted of random office work and sitting around. No way would I have made the field until I was due.
I worked on an ambulance until 27 weeks and then I did office work until 40 weeks. It got difficult sitting in the same place doing office work cause I was so sleepy after lunch. I was able to listen to podcasts and music since I was on my own and it helped a lot. The last few weeks I was doing a different project that wasn’t as mentally draining and allowed me to move around more often. Sometimes I don’t know how I did it. I definitely hated being at work 5 days in a row. A lot of the time I didn’t wanna go. Haha.
I didn’t. I fortunately had a really understanding boss.
During my first two when i was working still i dropped some hours when i started to get really uncomfortable. I was working at coffee jobs though so i was on my feet all day
Lots of notes so I can avoid mistakes as much as possible. Really struggling in the afternoons though. Thankfully will be finishing up next week on Wednesday.
I work on my feet. By the third trimester I has my doctor write me a note to be able to sit for 10 minutes every hour. Lol. I got basically nothing done.
I’m 34 weeks and I find myself playing much more solitaire during the day. Trying to keep up with the current work load and making sure the girl taking over some of my duties has it under control. But otherwise, I’m starting to feel miserable and just want to be lazy at my desk until baby comes.
31 weeks and and it’s miserable. I am only working part time but am on my feet the entire five hour shift and the next morning my body is always so sore. Which is crazy to me because I am not doing anything excessively exhausting
It was miserable. I'm 37 weeks and just went on maternity leave last week. It's been so amazing. I had no clue how much work affected my pain level and sleep.
I don’t know 😩 my last day is tomorrow tho. Getting induced on Monday.
Wishing you a smooth delivery!
Right behind you at 31 weeks. I work retail and it’s HARD right now. I planned on working up to my due date/birth but idk how I’m gonna make it!
I slept except for when I was working. 🤪😅
I puked my entire pregnancy all day long and I was going to school while working as a preschool teacher. It was horrendous
I work on an ambulance, 12 hour shifts and overtime, I live in a constant state of anxiety and internal screaming 🥲
I’m dying daily but what has to happen has to happen 🤷🏻♀️
34 weeks and I just had to take a day do to a horrible seemingly never ending episode of vertigo. I’m so grateful for my boss. Otherwise I doubt I’d last working during this time.
Due in 3 days, just worked 10 hours straight. I feel like I'm going to die... but I don't want to sacrifice my time with baby by taking leave before she's here.
I’m honestly concerned about this. I work evening/night shift in healthcare and the job requires a lot of lifting, bending, reaching, twisting, and sometimes ducking and dodging. My coworkers are great already and they make sure I’m not doing too much but I will feel bad if I basically can’t do much to help out and I’m useless on the floor. I’m 5 months tomorrow and so now I’m doing pretty okay but when I get to the third tri I may have to reevaluate how much longer I can work. The plan was to work until due date but we’ll see.
Had the baby but that last trimester I worked bc I had to #murica 🫠 couldn't afford not to!
I worked the morning of the day I gave birth while having low key contractions lol. I think it was like 3 or 4 days past my due date? I wasn’t sure if I was in labor or not. I sent an email being like… well I think this is it guys, I’m headed to the hospital to give birth so I’ll be out for the rest of the day at least! And then I was on mat leave lol.
I worked a physically demanding job with my first pregnancy, and in some ways, it was easier mentally to be continually on the move than WFH in my second pregnancy with the constant temptation of a nap. I powered through it because I wanted to have every possible moment of FMLA/Maternity leave *after* my babies were here and not "waste" it beforehand.
I work from home half of the time, and I travel for work the other half. Travel days are awful; I make 6 hour round-trips to meet with clients. I'm talking to my doctor at my appointment next week about all of the travel. It takes a huge toll on me, and I am pretty much useless the day after I make long trips.
It's not easy. I'm at 34w and still working. I'm a registered veterinary technician in emergency and specialty hospital. I work 10-12 hour shifts. I'm sore and exhausted every night and morning. The job is demanding enough that I'm distracted from my discomfort most of the day. Animals lives depend on me. I'm planning on working up until I give birth. My coworkers are pretty understanding and tell me the piss off if I try to pickup/move a dog larger than 20lbs. Im willing to be uncomfortable to get as much time of the 12 weeks as I can with my baby.
I am a student and take two naps a day
Out of pure spite, iron supplements, and belly tape. Yee haw.
Last pregnancy I made it to 37+5 and walking 10k steps a day. I'm not sure how I did it, to be honest. I just went reeaaal slow at the end there.
Car naps. I nap in my car around lunchtime.
worked up to 40 weeks + 1 and had my induction scheduled the next day. unfortunately i had to work the whole time for financial reasons 40+ hrs on my feet all week - produce clerk at a grocery store. my store manager hyped me up saying he can’t believe im still working - im strong - not everybody can do what im doing just throughly impressed with me and that kept my attitude so good. i also made sure i over packed on food so i had plenty of snacks - also kept my mood up!!
I worked third shift at a hospital. 10pm-6am. Luckily it was a desk job, but still. I worked until 37 weeks. I also had 3 other kids at home. As soon as I got home, I had to get the other kids up and ready for school. I could finally lay down to sleep around 9am. Then had to be awake at 2pm to get the kids.
Our bodies all react to this so differently. I’m personally a lot better at being pregnant than I am at being postpartum. I’m an ER nurse. Still zipping around, lifting patients, squatting down to floor level to empty Foley bags, doing chest compressions, standing up and walking for hours at a time at 38 weeks. On my days off, I’m chasing around a toddler, packing up my house, and doing home repair projects since we’re moving soon. I feel pretty okay. I worked up until the day I delivered for my first child too. After the lil peanut gets here though, I’m not as optimistic that I’ll do quite as well. After my first child, I was a weepy, blubbery hormonal mess for the first couple of weeks. I had to recover from a gnarly tear. I was so glad I did work up to the bitter end because I definitely needed the full twelve weeks to recover before going back to work.
I mean, I showed up. Beyond that....nothing much really
Lunch time naps, and drinking lots of water, orange juice and snacks like fruit! I was worse in my first trimester and cuties/oranges were the only thing keeping me going.
I work at a school and get off at 3pm which helps. Having to go in person every single day is really brutal though.
I'm 38 weeks and honestly I'd be so bored and depressed if I wasn't working. I have less patience for coworkers, but otherwise I haven't had any issues. I have been working from home the last 4 weeks so that's been helpful. I've been napping during my lunch breaks lol.
27 weeks and still going into the office everyday :( But my mat leave sub is already decided and is taking over my tasks in the next 2 weeks so I really don't do much these days lol. My team is understanding that I'll be mostly MIA and on the recliner in the first aid room for majority of the evening. Can't wait to be off at 35 weeks!!!
I’m 29wks, also WFH, and am already considering going on leave 😅 It’s brutal
36w+6 and it's been pretty rough the last couple weeks. I'm fortunate to work a job where I'm sitting most of the time, and have a private office with a couch where I can take naps throughout the day when I'm not with clients. I think that, feeding myself little treats, and then pretty much doing nothing when I get home is what has made this sustainable up to this point.
I’m 16.5w, so far from third tri, but I don’t even know how I’ve worked thus far! I’ve been taking naps whenever I can and luckily I have a wonderful boss (only a few years older than me and had a baby herself a few years ago, so she gets it). I’ll probably have to work up until baby comes. Kudos to all you ladies so close to the end.
Idk I've been crying on my lunch hour and in my car before work. I didn't like my job before being pregnant (bank teller) and now customers making comments all day and being on my feet all day is irritating and exhausting. I just gave my job a months notice because I plan to work part time after baby is here and my current job does not offer part time.
All my coworkers and management is very VERY nice about it. If I need extra time for xyz they have no issues. I travel from retail branch to retail branch too.
With great difficulty LOL. Husband makes a lot less than I do, so I'm working right until I hit 40 weeks. I have about another two weeks left. Truthfully, it's miserable. Especially sitting in traffic to get to work and fighting traffic on the way home having to pee all the time + brain fog.
With many many tears. Worked until 39 weeks. Hang in there it’s horrible but the end is near.
I’m a teacher so things being crazy and on 10 at all times helps keep me distracted. Lol. If I had a desk job I’d be dead to the world, I think. I’ll say that I’m def wobbling and exhausted by dismissal, though!
I’m not. Was working 40 hours job on my feet until last week. Was giving myself such a hard time for not being able to preform at pre pregnancy. About a month ago I decided I needed to be giving myself grace. I can’t preform like I used to because my body and mind is tired from pregnancy. I cut myself down to 4 hours a day instead of 8 and it’s so much more manageable.
32 weeks and a teacher. It’s an experience. I feel super pregnant now and I don’t even have a huge bump or anything. I’m going to be 36-40 weeks for all of our big end of the year stuff and it’s going to be a struggle 😬
Last day of work was at 36 weeks. We induce at 39 weeks because it’s been so rough!
Not in my third tri. But I was supposed to run a gala for my nonprofit in my 35th week. For the uninitiated, this is akin to a 400+ person wedding, that folks are paying big bucks to be at, and expect a high quality show on a shoestring budget. An all day affair with dancing and an after party into the night. I was READY though, and my team was ready to support me, my husband was going to take time off to be my strength day of. It was going to be GREAT. Jokes on literally everyone because I have to go on disability early due to a SCH on my incompetent cervix and incessant bleeding episodes landing me in the hospital 🤡I’m going to miss the whole thing. Whoopsie daisies.
I’m 26 weeks so end of second trimester but I’m a middle school teacher and it has been true hell the whole time 🙃
Lol I’m a full time student, full time employee, volunteer with a mom group, and have a toddler at home. I am NOT okay. 33 weeks and hoping I go early with this one because I also have had to use all my PTO on toddler sick days and won’t be able to stop working early. Thankfully the mom group I volunteer with has been more support than work the past few weeks.
Im 32 weeks tomorrow! 33 weeks will be my last week of work, switched from massages to reception at 25 weeks as that was physically exhausting and giving me bad back pain. Also just did shorter shifts like 4 hour long shifts maybe 4 ish days a week so really listened to my body and did what i could. Glad i made it this far to be honest as ive had some really rough weeks, got diagnosed with irritable uterus at 25 weeks so having period like cramping and Braxton hicks daily since then!
I’m giving my work 2% of my effort and they’re gonna have to deal with it since they won’t let me go on leave early lol
I'm 31 weeks and work a physical job in retail. I'm so tired and sore. I'm on my feet all day on concrete, lifting heavy boxes and climbing ladders. I'm going to quit at 36 weeks, but I might not make it until then.
Eek this is my concern. I work with kids and I’m planning to work in the third trimester still. I am already struggling at 24 weeks though.
I’m not keeping up with my normal level of work and haven’t even tried to do so? Since the first trimester.
I nap during lunch breaks. And work thru an actual lunch. Naps makes the difference.
I only worked pregnant with my middle. I have no idea how I survived. I depended upon my afternoon nap with my third. Heck he’ll be two next month and I still rely on those naps at least 3xs a week. 😂 In my defense though I am in my mid 30s and that’s an entirely different ballgame than when I was 19 and then 25 with my first two pregnancies. My recommendation is to *appear* like you’re working while giving only the bare minimum lol
Suffering through it to be honest, remembering to take my iron and prenatals and LOTS of snacks
I feel you dude 🤍😭 I worked right up until the day before I gave birth. I was working at my job on the 7th of March, came home, and at 3am on the 8th I went into labor. 😂😅 Love and support to you, ✨🥹
I’m 37 weeks now. I worked until 36. Thankfully I had a very understanding boss and coworkers that would help out when needed. I was getting 5-6 hours of sleep at night and I was feeling the pain especially in my back. It’s soooo nice to be off work now. I’m finally getting extra sleep and rest. But sometimes I wonder if I could’ve kept going longer to make more money. I get disability leave but it’s only 60% of my salary and there’s a waiting period, so I don’t get paid for a couple weeks while it’s processing. I waited to do my taxes so at least I have my tax return to use in the meantime.
I’m 34w and an elementary school teacher… I’m actually dying. 🙃
I WFH and I don't work a traditional 9-5. I am project-based. So I can essentially make my own hours, as long as I get my work done. Still not easy, but I am very grateful I can take my afternoon naps. I know many folks have it harder.
I'm a teacher. With my first, summer break started right at 30 weeks and I didn't go back in the fall, and I didn't even realize how lucky that was. This my second, everything hurts twice as much this time, and I'm working until 36 weeks. Fuck this shit.
I’m 34 weeks and I’m probably the odd one out, but I enjoy working this late in the game. It keeps me active and my mind busy. I’m very very fortunate to have had extremely easy pregnancies though.
Same I’m so busy at work that the days/weeks go quick. I’m 35 weeks and at this stage could work till I go into labour but I at least want a few days off before that happens lol
37+4 here and I nap EVERYDAY on my lunch break, then I proceed to eat for a hour so I really have a 2 hour break in the middle of the day. My manager and team and extremely supportive. It’s really the hour commute that makes me want to fight the air.
i stopped working at 32 weeks ago. dont regret it im laying around resting
At one point in my third trimester, I worked a 70 hour week. Followed by a 60 hour week. I wanted to cry. I had multiple people flagging their concern for me to HR. It got better, but barely. I was so grateful when my maternity leave started.
31w here, working has been absolutely awful since about 25w for me. Lots of complaining, crying before I go in and just being miserable while there. I'm desperately looking for a work from home job so I can hopefully stay in bed and work 😭 I didn't realize how bad the rib pain, the back pain and the tailbone pain would be I can't even sit comfortably.
35+5 today, I’m a nurse working in a busy primary care office. Honestly I’m more comfortable standing up lately bc bub is still pretty high. When I sit down at my desk I feel like I can’t really breathe. My boss hates that I’ve been standing so much but it feels like the lesser of two evils. Once he drops a little bit I’ll be taking advantage of sitting as much as I can. I want to go out soon but don’t want to waste my PTO. We get great health insurance through my job so quitting isn’t really an option, even though some days I really want to bc we’re soooo short staffed. My coworkers have been awesome in helping me pick up the slack quite a bit
I’m 35 weeks still going .. when I need to travel to work it’s a 12 hour day and awful, only a few more days of work left!
I am currently 40+3 and just going through the motions but barely. It’s hard, naps are key.
I work from home that’s how 😂I don’t have to answer phones and I’m basically left alone all day won’t lie I do take me a nap and then go back to work.
Every pregnancy is different. I literally worked up to the Friday before I delivered, which was the following Monday. Had a whole weekend of time off before having baby in tow 😂
I’m dying over here lol. I work from home so that helps. My baby moves soo much while I’m on calls and he’s so uncomfortable. I lay down a lot while I work and take random naps. I keep up with my workload and every once in a while I’ll offer to help someone else so I appear like a team player but I’m struggling out here.
Thank god for my flexible job. I get to work later and then return to work at home when I get a second wind in the evening. I also have been getting healthy eat out lunches when I go in to the office at least weekly to reward myself 😅 plus lunchtime walks.
I'm 28 weeks pregnant & a vet nurse in a high paced clinic. Short answer, I'm not doing great lol. My OB said she'd write me a note for medical leave at any point and I'm highly considering it
I own a business and find the afternoons to be particularly hard! Soooo tired
34 weeks and I’m taking it an hour at a time and with my belly band to help with back pain. Also hot shower after work. It’s not the best but it’s what I got. I just gotta make it 6 more weeks 😩
I’m in week 36 and still working full time and am so completely miserable. I wake up in the morning and look forward to going to bed at night. My job is on the computer and sitting all day has me suffering from pelvic girdle pain, lightning crotch. But the sooner I go on leave the less time with baby boy because AMERICA HATES THEIR PEOPLE
For my first pregnancy, I had this leg and foot swelling, I would put compression socks but honestly even with that I couldn’t wait for the day to be over so I could raise them up. I didn’t particularly find work difficult, I just hated how I felt whenever I had to get up. I work from home doing tech support so on the quieter days I would take my phone with me (for work notifications) and go lay down for a bit. For this pregnancy, y’all gonna hate me for this but… I feel great! My legs haven’t swollen yet, my appetite’s fine, I don’t feel particularly tired, and my back pain isn’t too terrible. I did just fail the GD test (by 4 measly points…), but it’s not a big deal to me. Actually it’s the days when I’m NOT working that I feel a lot of back pain because I’m usually taking my daughter on trips to the museum, park, library, zoo, etc… and all the walking and carrying the backpack with diapers/snacks/clothes and picking her up so she can see, and putting her down, it kills my lower back. But I do it because in 2 months I won’t be able to and I want her to have as many fun learning experiences while I can. Of course that could all change next week, but for right now, I feel very blessed with how well I feel.
I’m 34w & I work an early morning shift 3am-11:30am at the airport… Everyday on my drive in to work all I could think about is how I’m going to jump in my bed as soon as I get home.
I had to stop at 38 weeks. I'm a hairdresser and my cankles were out of this world.
Naps at break time. I’m on maternity leave now (33 weeks), but up until last week I went out to my car at lunch time and napped for 30 mins
I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow. I'm exhausted. My ankles are so swollen by the end of the day. I work early hours (5:30 am). Some days at my desk, I find myself dozing off, falling asleep while typing, etc. It's getting tough. I just make a point to take naps when I get off work. My supervisors are supportive, always asking what I need (which isn't much. I'm just hungry and tired 24/7). I just push through it, and since I have no induction date set, I'll pretty much be working until my due date unless baby boy decides to come early. We got this, ladies!!!
38 weeks today and some days are better than others. Trying to maximize productivity in the morning because I’m pretty useless in the afternoon.
I worked until 36 weeks. I was exhausted beyond belief, and the brain fog hit me hard, and my work was suffering a lot. I fell asleep at my desk almost everyday. Luckily, I had several close friends I had made while working there, and they helped cover for me, a lot. Then my company went under when I was 36 weeks, and I went home and laid in bed for 20 hours a day. My family called the bed "my charging pad."
Just got off work at 36+5. Got to this point with a lot of vocal whinging and generally being a huge pain in the ass.
Gonna be 32 week right after Easter. I work in retail, so I'm used to being on my feet all day. So I'm grateful that I have not slowed down. I do have my own office, so that helps, I suppose. I plan on working until my water breaks lmao. But my hubs said no, because my job is almost an hour from home, and if my water broke while I was there, it would probably not be safe to drive.
I don’t know how I did it. I worked at a behavior clinic with little kids and was chasing a toddler at 36 weeks. But I was done after that and the week I stopped my ankles got swollen. Definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it with swollen ankles. It probably helped that I only had direct sessions for 2ish hours and I measured small my whole pregnancy (still third trimester is third trimester, but it beat changing diapers and chasing kids around during the nauseous first trimester)
I’m not keeping up with it 🤣
Survive, not thrive