When to take maternity leave?

[FredFlintstonesSister]

When did you/ are you planning to start your maternity leave? I had tentatively said 36 weeks but have very mixed feelings. On the one hand, 4 or more weeks off before the birth seems really decadent when my husband is still working. On the other hand, at 30 weeks I am exhausted already and very tempted to just stop after Christmas! Any thoughts?

[scaevola]

I worked until the last possible moment, but I had a straightforward commute and thought I may as well be sitting in an office as at home and keeping ML for when the baby was actually here. Then again, paid ML was much shorter back then.

[SecretRed]

How much annual leave do you have? I finished at 34 weeks but the first four were holiday weeks.

[FredFlintstonesSister]

My paid leave is 3 months full, 6 months statutory. We've pretty much decided I'll take the whole lot. Taking a few extra weeks at the start would make some difference but wouldn't be a deal breaker. I only have a short drive to work but I'm a teacher so it's pretty much nonstop once I get in. Can't even take a toilet break when I want to!

[FredFlintstonesSister]

Oh, and obviously annual leave isn't an option!

[Thegreatunslept]

I went at 33 weeks using 3 weeks holidays then started maternity leave at 36weeks but I do 12hr shifts on my feet most of the day so was happy to finish when I did!

[Shellywelly1973]

No ML for me. Self employed but hopefully will have a new job as of April.

Totally sick of being self employed!!

[Tiredemma]

I finished at 34 weeks (first four weeks were annual leave)

[oscarwilde]

39 & 37 weeks. Babies born at 39+1 and 37+0.5 respectively

What was your original plan ? To finish at Feb half term? Isn't a bit late to drop it on your Head not to come back in Jan or is that just wishful thinking?

I remember having a horrid energy slump both times around 30 weeks. I'd try and get tons of rest over Christmas and I think you will be glad of the extra few weeks at home when it gets to 9 months with your new baby.

Toilet break - can't you leave the door open and ask a neighbouring teacher to keep an eye/ear for 5 mins? Disclaimer: went to school in the 70's/80's and it would have been normal behaviour for hours of absences never mind a loo break

[FredFlintstonesSister]

Was planning to finish Jan 24th. Head teacher says she can be flexible - they have someone lined up to cover.

[MortifiedAnyFuckerAdams]

Is this your first? If so.....take all the leave ypu can spare.

It may get a bit boring,.it may not, depending how good you are at pottering and relaxing,.but you will literally never have this opportunity again.

If you ever have a second child, even your Mat Leave will not be relaxing due to having a toddler to care for.

If I were you, id go as soon as you can.

[SecretRed]

If you finish at Christmas then would you be going back at the start of next autumn term? Would probably be easier than going back a few weeks into a new school year i would imagine.

[AmIGoingMad]

I'm with mortified!
I'm also a teacher.

First time I went bk for a day after Christmas hols to do handover so officially started leave at 36 weeks but had had all of Christmas hols too. Went bk just before summer hols so one day bought me another 6 wks iyswim.
This time I went up to 36 weeks which was knackering and madness anyway with toddler running around! Dc2 was over a week overdue too.

On ml now and can't really think about going back at the moment. I think we have to give 3 weeks notice going bk and not the 21 working days that I was told last time. Check on that tho!

[emseth]

Im finishing at 39 weeks. I might be cutting it fine but I'm lucky in that I can work from home if needed!

[FredFlintstonesSister]

I'm not sure when I'm going back yet. I won't be returning straight after summer hols as in Scotland so that's the middle of August!

[charliedrinks26]

im starting at 36 weeks too, not so sure ill make it but thats my intention! im 30 weeks and have just come back from a weeks a/l and im knackered already after 2 days I work in a call centre so not a phyically demanding job but its really making me tired!!! lol plus I have spd and bring sat down allllll day is making it worse! I have no more a/l to take my leave year starts in feb baby due 27th feb and mat leave to start on 1st feb seriously considering changing my mat leave date to 34 weeks but cant make up my mind! im extremely lucky that I get a full year off on mat leave. I'm only working 1 day next week but not so sure ill want to go back in the new year! must try!!!xxx

[InTheBEEwitchedWinter]

I'm planning to start maternity leave at 34 weeks and take two weeks leave before that.

[Frizz1986]

I start my mat leave after my final day at work tomorrow
I will be 36 + 5
I did plan on staying until friday (37 weeks) but realised that tiredness was setting in. In hindsight i would have finished last friday at 36 weeks as i just couldn't be bothered this week.
Thankfully i do have 7 days of annual leave to take before the end of the year so with xmas it gives me until jan 1st for mat leave to start.
Its difficult to tell early on how you'll feel but i def expected too much of myself as i am exhausted when i get home.

[EmmaFreudsGivingMeJip]

I am starting annual leave at 33 + 4 (which is New Year's Eve whoop whoop) then starting ML at 36 + 3. I can't wait, I've had hyperemesis and I'm exhausted now even though I'm doing reduced hours.
I'm looking forward to time at home on my own to relax before our little boy arrives as it's the last chance I'll have!

[Grumblelion]

Depends on your job I guess. Mine is pretty full on, non-stop and physical so I stopped at 35 weeks - had annual leave to use & it was Christmas/new year so I didn't actually start my mat leave until 38 weeks. I also used leave to work 4 day weeks for my last month (though I did try to arrange hospital appointments on my off days out of choice so I wasn't off too much).

I hindsight I could have managed another week at work I think but the way the dates fell I just fancied all of Christmas off for once!

[sunflowered]

I'm finishing at 35+3 - 30+3 today and feeling the same 30week slump someone else has mentioned. If I didn't have some time off at Christmas it would be looking like a very long 5 weeks ahead!

[DirtyThree]

I worked until 37+5 then took annual leave until my dude date (dd arrived 39+6) but I worked from home so it was easy to stay working that long. I went back to work the day after DDs first birthday.

Am now pg with dc2 and planning on stopping at about 37 weeks, haven't yet decided to use mat leave or annual leave initially....

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I worked my last day at exactly 38 weeks. Contrary to what others have said, I'd say go on as long as you can. I never got to the, 'I'm BORED! Get it OUT!' stage because I was gainfully occupied in a very active job right up until the end. Two pleasant weeks of batch cooking and napping when I felt like it and DS started arriving bang on 40 weeks. Fully intend doing the same thing with number 2 if I can.

[MrsVDB]

I'm leaving on Friday (35+2) but using some holiday up. A couple of weeks ago I definitely had the I can't do it I want to leave now feeling but the tiredness has gone slightly. If you have the option to see how you'll feel nearer the time is do that :)

[mamapants]

I worked till 39+2. And quite happy with that. I took a year off and wouldn't have wanted to leave DS before that. Still had all my AL pretty much, then accrued a years worth so have been receiving full pay but only working 3 days a week. Perfect for me.
Am now 20 weeks pregnant and thinking of working till about 39 weeks again. Just don't see what people do at home for 6 weeks especially if they don't have a child already. 6 weeks is a long time especially when you're heavily pregnant and can't do much anyway.and I really would want as much of the year ml to be with by baby- would hate to leave them earlier than that.