maternity leave. when?

[BrittAman]

I'm hitting 32 weeks and I'm simply exhausted and in pain (pelvis and hips) when I get home from work. Even if its only a 3 hour shift.
I work as an MCA at sears (on my feet all day). I have a 2 yr old that I chase before and after work. I feel like its too early to go on maternity leave but now I've started getting bad cramps in my legs. Especially at night. I take my prenatals and eat extra bananas which doesn't seem to help. I just feel like its only gunna get worse.

[jenniekae81]

Ok.... I'm thinking of moving to Canada! Lol

[Lesley27]

i went back to work in june from my last Mat leave... im casual so i get what i can... and it also has to work out with someone here to look after my daughter so when i knew i was pretty set for hours we started trying... because i have to renew my license for work each year and have to submit how many hours i work i knew i was just under 600 then... and i work 12 hour shifts for the most part so that helps a lot! but i am kinda stressin on how much i have been able to pick up this round like this last 2 weeks i havent worked... just havent gotten any shifts offered :( so i asked to be paid out holiday pay so i have some income marked down... other than these 2 weeks out of the 14 weeks that counts i have 1 more week that has nothing in it but its the 14th weeks so theres time to pick up and of course i would like to fill in more on the other weeks but they at least have some income to put towards.... im kinda nervous anyway...
Oh and im an LPN so im a different union than RNs but the RNs get paid out their full wage while in matleave... that would be awesome!!

[Heatherm4]

I too am from Canada and it is amazing what we get! I can't wait but I still kinda work when I'm on mat leave. I work the minimum that you're allowed to sometimes. I did the last time.
I am 32 weeks now and my hip is out again. I work part time at a store and it's exhausting some days because I also take in children during the day up to 3 days a week.
I have had to make 600 hours of work time in order to get mat leave again. Which is hard when only part time. I'm cutting it close. I only just went back to work last Oct from my last mat leave! LOL
My last day to have kids is June 6th and I'll work at the store still until I get my 600 hours. I'm hoping to be done by June 23rd but I might have to be there an extra week I think.
It is difficult depending on the job. I know here you can go as early as 8 weeks before you are due.

[Lesley27]

i sent my notice in the mail today... im gonna be done June 23... so approx. 3 weeks before my csection (hopefully... i dont have a for sure date yet) Ya i really think we are so lucky to have a year paid... i couldnt imagine not... and we are allowed up to year adn a half off and they are considering to extend it to 2 years but it would still be just the first year paid... with my mat leave and child tax credit and universal tax credit i was getting just over $2000 a month last time... i dont know if ill be so lucky this round... im hoping for close to it but ill take what i can get... im not working as much cause i have my daughter now but i also have gotten a $10 raise since last time so im hoping that will help my overall income...  

[jenniekae81]

I am almost 32 weeks also and seriously debating maternity leave already. I work as a home health aide which means that I do anything from helping with showers, cleaning house, to running errands. I'm on my feet and on the go all day. I am a single mom to a 11 year old and 1 year old (who is,a very sick child) and the 1 yr olds dad never takes him anymore so I get no break. I'm completely wiped by the time I get home in the evenings but still gotta cook supper and spend time with kids so that leaves no time to rest or to get baby stuff prepared. Plus I'm having a csection and am trying to line up help with my 1yr old for a few weeks, as I wont be able to lift him.

So I am right there with you hun. Hang in there. I'm trying to make it to at least 36 weeks before cutting my hours down then going on leave at 38 weeks which is what I did last year with my little man.

Lesley.. I wish I lived in Canada! In the States you get up to 12weeks unpaid leave. Most people take 6 weeks. And every company is different, some offer paid leave or you can purchase short term disability insurance but you have to do that before you are preggo...otherwise they dont cover your maternity leave. They consider it a pre existing condition. :/

[Lesley27]

Im gonna be done at 36 weeks... i am in Canada tho so its a big difference but my job is really demanding as well... im an LPN and am in charge of a long term care but i mainly work nights and there is me and another person on so i have no choice when it comes to certain tasks(35 residents)... like if someone is on the floor and there is no way we are gonna get the lift to them i have to help move this person, we have to roll ppl, get ppl dressed and ready to go in the morning, lots of pulling and lifting, not to mention risk for abuse from residents... also when i get home more often then not my BF is heading to work so i dont get to sleep until my daughters nap time so that in itself is exhausting especially after a 12 hour night shift! i really thought about making my goal for 37 weeks but im scared that ill swell up and here you have to give 4 weeks notice(with out a Drs note) so im gonna play it safe and say 36 weeks... i will be going for a csection at hopefully 39 weeks so i will have lots of time to get ready....  i ahevent been sleeping well either and from last times experience i know it can get so much worse! so i feel for ya! it can be so rough!

If you go on mat leave now how long can you be off for?

[naryashadow]

I think if your body is telling you it needs to chill, then maternity leave wouldn't be too bad of an idea unless you can maybe talk to your boss and see if there is something you can do that can keep you from constantly being on your feet. Or you can talk to your doctor and see what he or she thinks about it.