How close to due date did you keep working?

[littleleaf]

I planned to work until the day DS was born, but he came early (so I went to work that day, commuted home, and gave birth in the wee hours of the morning). with out next one (ttc soon!), I pretty much plan to do the same, assuming I remain in good health.

[mom1mg]

Um, WOW mamas!

I know this doesn't help OP at all but I just wanted to mention this so other mamas see it for balance reasons since you all worked SO late.

With DS1 I stopped working at 16 weeks - bedrest
With DS2 I stopped at around 30 weeks maybe a bit sooner
With DS3 I stopped at around the 30 week mark as well
With both DD's I am a SAHM

The two times I worked to 30 weeks it was HARD. I was SO ready to go off even before then but toughed it out longer.

IMO you (general) need to go off when your body tells you it is time to slow down. That could be right in the begining or at 41 weeks - anything is ok if that is what you need!

[msuk2girl]

I worked until my due date, then told my boss I'd be working from home until B arrived, which was a whole week later!

[MrsCrafty]

I was on bed rest very early with DS, mostly I couldn't stop throwing up and was working as a nursing assistant so there was no way. I'd personally give myself maybe a week if I could just because rescheduling people can be hard if you go early.

[qsefthuko]

I worked with my last until 28 weeks. Constant contractions made working hard. I was having braxton hicks every 2-3 min documented at the hospital. Doctor said if I couldn't make them stop they would have to consider putting me in the hospital on bed rest. As long as I wasn't on my feet very long they only came about every hour or 2 so that was the end of working.

[amgermain]

I worked up to my due date with my oldest DD; it was a Tuesday and my water broke that evening.

[MamaJules]

I worked up to my due date. DS 1 was a week late, so it was nice having that time off. With DS 2, my last day was Friday, and he was born early Monday morning.

[pharmmama]

I worked up until labor started for both of my kids. My water broke as I was walking into work with DD, and with Dh I was on a 7on/7off schedule and labor started on my off week. I'm not wasting ANY of my maternity leave with no baby.

[jamiejo]

DS (6) I was put on bedrest at 30/6 next day, (31 weeks) he was born emergency csection. I worked the day I went on bedrest, then spent my maternity leave caring for a baby in the NICU. He got out of the hospital on the last day of my leave. I quit (they knew I was going to) and took 2 weeks off and went back to retail 2 days a week.
DD I was working retail 3 days a week, she was due on a Thursday. The previous Saturday was my last day at work. I got off at 5, went into labor at 9 but didnt have her until Monday morning.

[bcarroll9494]

I planned to work until the due date. I ended up taking that day off because I was starting to feel crampy. I delivered her the next day.

I think it is fine/normal to plan to work until your due date (depending on strenuousness of your job). It will keep you distracted & active. Plus I'd rather use time-off after baby comes rather than before.