Work Schedule and Maternity Leave?
If you were working outside the home while pregnant, how long did you continue? I know it's common to go right up until "the end" but some work places are good about giving time off as delivery date gets closer. And no matter how long you stayed working, would you do it that same way again?
Also, was the maternity leave (if any!) offered by your employer good enough and fair enough?
I worked up to the end with both my kids. After my son I was back to work within a few weeks (with less hours at first). I had planned to do the same with my daughter, but an unplanned C-section made recovery take longer. It was nearly 2 months before I was working again. Both times I worked for a small, locally owned business, so I was able to figure out my maternity leave with the boss, and both very understanding. They couldn't pay me for my time off, which I understood.
I'd probably do it different next time, only because I'm older and it'll probably take longer to recover, but I'm also hoping I'll have a husband with an income to lean on next time LOL.
For me I worked until a few weeks before I was due. I know in a lot of states it's somewhat limited to 3 months maternity leave. Luckily for me I live in California so essentially I had the right to take 4 weeks before my due date and then 12 weeks after all paid (I did not have any other conditions which would have potentially allowed for longer paid time).
What didn't work so well with my plan however, with both my children they decided to join our family 2 weeks early, so I really only got about a week and a half additional when it all worked out!
I think it's definitely a personal thing how much time before you take off...and a health thing. Depending on how your employer is, or how much time you want to have to prepare for the baby without having to worry about work in addition could possibly also determine when you decide to start maternity leave, and how long to stay on it after (had a friend who had her first child and went back to work a week later...seriously!)
With my second child, I ended up working literally up until he was almost out of the canal! I didn't want to be in the hospital for hours waiting, so I decides to finish my work shift first. Probably was a big mistake since this bundle of joy was almost born in the car before we got to the ER!
I was still working in the office when I was pregnant with my eldest son. I planned to actually work until he wanted to come out, as I think it should be enough time for me to go to the hospital and my ex-colleagues could also send me there, if needed.
But, the actual was actually different from my plan. I was not feeling well during my first trimester, so I requested to work from home, and my ex-boss approved that and allowed me to just work from home until my son was born. Though I still worked till the end, I was at home, it was more relaxing as I didn't need to travel.
Our usual maternity leave is two months. So, I went back to office after two months giving birth. I think it's quite fair, as I was totally recovered, though I really missed my newborn son at that time.