HL closer to due date

Anyone on public hospital route (NUH or other hospitals) managed to get HL closer to their due date? I heard it’s quite difficult unless you are on private route. I work with young children (4-6 year old) so my third trimester will definitely be a challenge at work e.g. bending down, assisting them during toileting etc. Was wondering will the doctors give HL even though no medical condition? Thank you!

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Honestly, from what I've heard, public hospital doctors like those at NUH are generally quite reasonable if your job genuinely involves physical strain, bending, lifting, assisting toddlers with toileting definitely counts as a valid reason, so it's worth being upfront with your gynae about your daily duties rather than waiting for them to ask. Some mums I know managed to get HL in the last few weeks even on the public route, not because of a medical condition, but because their work conditions made it physically risky for the pregnancy. That said, there's no guarantee, a lot depends on your individual doctor and how you present your situation, so I'd say document your job scope clearly and bring it up at your next appointment without feeling shy about it. The trade-off with public is that you may get less "flexible" leave compared to private, but if there's a genuine physical concern, most doctors will consider it sensibly.

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