When to Stop Working With A Painful Pregnancy

Last updated on March 6th, 2024 at 08:49 am

A MoM-to-be recently asked:

I am 34 weeks and 2 days with boy/girl twins. I am uncomfortable, in constant pain and have constant, excessive swelling (from my toes to my thighs). I am still working because my husband and I really need the money, but I work on my feet all day with little time for breaks. My doctor says I can still work if I want, I am not hurting the babies only myself, but this past week was really rough and it is only getting rougher. I am thinking of pulling myself out of work starting this up coming week despite our financial situation because it is taking so much out of me. Did any other twin mama’s push through the pain to stay working and when did you know enough was enough, if at all?

Here’s What Our Twiniversity Fans Had to Say:

I stopped working at 30 weeks. I got to 38 weeks, 2 days. The last 3 weeks were pretty hard even though I wasn’t working. I had hip pain as soon as I started moving and terribly out of breath, but those are minor things, really. Please listen to your body and try not to think finances, it is only a few months, and prematurity and other complications may last longer than that. In the end, healthy children and a healthy mommy are going to be better financially.- I stopped working at 30 weeks. I got to 38 weeks, 2 days. The last 3 weeks were pretty hard even though I wasn’t working. I had hip pain as soon as I started moving and terribly out of breath, but those are minor things, really. Please listen to your body and try not to think finances, it is only a few months, and prematurity and other complications may last longer than that. In the end, healthy children and a healthy mommy are going to be better financially.

Don’t feel defeated. I stopped working at 32 weeks with my boy/girl twins. Financially it was tough for us too, but at the end of the day, my well being came first, which ultimately impacted my babies well being. Be good to yourself.

I went into preterm labor at 28 weeks. I wish I would have listened to my body instead of thinking about getting more paychecks. I was put on mandatory bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. Not being able to get the extra things done before the babies get here is killing me. If I would gotten off my feet sooner I could have helped prevent or delay the preterm labor. Listen to your body. I understand the financial strain but it’s more important to take care of yourself, get rest for delivery and before the babies get here.

If you are having swelling like that see your doctor for preeclampsia symptoms and monitoring. Monitor your blood pressure at home, feed up, tons of water!! Now is not the time to push yourself. Speaking from experience here.

I worked until the very end. But I took a sick day every Wednesday for a break in the middle of the week. It made a HUGE difference and definitely was the reason I made it to term. I started taking Wednesdays off at 32 weeks.

I worked until 34 weeks, but I have a desk job. I delivered at 34 weeks 1 day by emergency C-section. Don’t push yourself. Your body knows when it’s time to rest. I understand the financial strain, I really do. But although the babies are fine, you need to keep YOURSELF healthy for you AND them.

I worked as a server in a fine dining restaurant until I was 34 weeks. It was hard, hard, hard work to do while you’re pregnant – especially with twins. I’m glad I worked for as long as I did, but I’m SO glad I stopped at that point, even though we really could have used the money. I was in excruciating pain. I have a sciatica injury that was so exacerbated by the pregnancy that I could barley walk. In fact, all I could do after that point was take hot showers and sleep on the couch. I feel like quitting working when I did helped me keep the babies in for as long as I did (38 weeks, 4 days). The twins didn’t have to spend any time in the NICU and were very healthy. Whatever money we missed out on with me not working, we didn’t miss at all. We figured it out, and cut out what we needed to to make the finances work. It was so worth it to have as healthy babes as possible! Best wishes to you and your family!

My doctor wrote me out of work at around 36 weeks (Maybe the end of 35 weeks). I had a bunch of swelling and was teaching high school at the time. I felt so guilty for not pulling my weight at work those last few weeks but it was amazing! I was able to prop my feet up and rest. I would highly suggest it. I ended up making it to 38 weeks and I think resting played a big part in that.

I’m an RN and worked 3, 12 hour shifts until 38 weeks. Wear compression socks, those saved my life (and swelling in my feet). They are worth it! Also keeping hydrated and small snacks kept my energy up. I was kind of in the same boat, mostly I didn’t want to ‘waste’ my personal days before the babies got here.

I worked up until I delivered, but I have a desk job so it was manageable. I did have a lot of hip pain, but talk to your doctor about physical therapy pregnancy options. I did that and it helped a lot. It was a group associated with my maternal fetal medicine group so they dealt with pregnancy physical therapy.

I was still working full time until 9 days before they were born. At which time my body was sore and my partner kept saying I’d not go much longer. They arrived at 34 weeks, 6 days. Money means nothing next to your babies health.

I wore compression socks to help with the swelling and also did stretches and massaged those areas. I stopped working at 34 weeks because I couldn’t work, take care of my house, and my 2 year old. Listen to your body.

I worked 37 weeks. I pushed through, but as I got closer to the 38 week mark I felt pretty bad. Swelling. If you can, stop. But if not prop your feet up and stay seated as much as possible.

I worked up until 1 week before but you have to listen to you body. Also, do you have short term disability that will pay you all or a portion of your pay when you are disabled due to pregnancy or childbirth? That may help your decision.

I stopped working at 29 weeks to go on medical leave and went into pre-term labor on my way home from work that day and delivered that night. I wish I would have listened to myself sooner.

I did the same!! It was a terrible mistake! I pushed myself till my body said enough and I got preeclampsia! It wasn’t good at all! Don’t push yourself too much!! Stop working asap.

I would stop if you can. You can’t spend all your energy before the babies get here. It’s going to be rough after they arrive.

You need to ask for help! Financially, there are lots of organizations that can and would want to help. Don’t be shy, reach out! This is a time of need. If money is really getting bad you can always look into applying for Food Stamps. Also some food banks supply diapers and formula if you do not qualify for any other form of public assistance.

You need to do what is best for you and your babies. Follow your gut.

I worked until the day I had them at 37.4 weeks. It was tough but wanted to use my time with the babies.

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