Maternity leave? when to start?

[pregnantandhormonal87]

Looking for advice as I'm giving myself a sore head trying to figure this out. I work in a care setting doing ten hour shifts and am currently 20 weeks pregnant...i also have mild spd. I've been trying to work out when would be best to start my maternity leave as I'm not sure how I'll cope the bigger I get. I have three weeks annual leave left to take which is fine but want to try and save as much time for after baby is born. Can I just ask what you would do in this case or did do? Just looking for inspiration really

[DinosaurFanGirl]

Are you able to just start it as soon as you want? With my employer I only need to give a week's notice when I want to start (as long as they know I'm pregnant already of course).

My plan is to work up till last 4 weeks so I can have 5 months maternity pay after baby is born (doing this because then I'll be going back on 3rd January same as everyone else in my work place after Xmas).

Good to also consider SMP is only for 39 weeks. And once you hit the 4 weeks before due date your employer can enforce maternity leave if you take time off work due to maternity related illness.

[SaltedCaramelEverything]

I'm going until exactly 39 weeks - assuming I'm feeling ok. However my job can involve lots of sitting down if I want to and we're coming up to the least stressful time of the year.

If it was a more physical job, I think I'd need to stop earlier. I'd say have a chat with your boss - about putting in a date and having the option to bring it forward if you need to.

I know it's important to have time at the end with baby, but also important to look after pregnant you

[MrsBellefleur]

If you want most time off after the baby is born I would finish at 36 or 37 weeks for your annual leave and have your maternity start at 39 or 40 weeks.

[thethoughtfox]

I worked for as long as I could and pushed it till a few days before I was due. I had bad PGP but tried to sit down as much as possible and wheeled myself about on a chair with wheels. People will make reasonable accommodations for you. I don't know what SPD is but you have issues now, you may still have them or indeed have other physical issues after birth c-section to recover from or other issues.

Good advice from DinosaurFanGirl: you can't be off work with pregnancy issues in the last few weeks or they can force you to start leave. Be smart, though and don't push yourself too hard.

[Babasaclover]

I used holiday to give myself 4 day weeks in the last month then gave up completely at 37 weeks. I commute on train so found it all too much. I also worked from home 1 day per week so was very fortunate.

It's a tricky one, getting as much time with the baby as possible but if you are suffering in the pregnancy it may be worth starting early to avoid risk to yourself and the baby.

[P1nkSparkles]

You have to start the mat leave once the baby is here (can't use the holiday) - so
I was in a similar situation to you with regards to holiday and went off at 36 weeks - but the first 3 weeks were holiday and I actually started my mat leave at 39. That was perfect for me - I was done by then.

[SarahOoo]

I work in a job where I travel to meetings but have a couple of days working from home. I'm working until 2 weeks before the due date and with two weeks to go until I finish I'm already regretting it. I've had a hard pregnancy though & at this late stage just getting maternity tights on makes me want to cry!

Sitting at my desk all day, even at home, is hard going. If you're in a physical role I'd suggest at least 4 weeks before the due date with maybe one week of holiday as part of that (I only get statutory SMP).

While I was of the same mindset, have more time off when the baby is here, I feel like I, doing myself (mentally and physically) a disservice by still working when I feel so awful.

[Suzysuz]

Am currently 34 weeks and still planning for 38 weeks mat leave start - also had mild SPD/PGP from about 20 weeks which has got a bit worse with the extra weight.

I've been very fortunate that I can work from home which has been a massive help as a daily commute & being in the office every day would likely have made it even worse and having to start my mat leave early.

So have a rough plan but do try and take it as easy as possible with PGP/SPD as that could be a main factor in when you need to stop.

[phoebe2016]

I was planning to work until 38wks, but with my SPD worsening, being in pain stopping me sleeping and generally feeling knackered already (25+4), i have now pulled my dates forward. I am taking 3 weeks holiday from 35 weeks and then starting my maternity leave straight after. Only 9 weeks left to work!! Yay! Lol

[jadeyty]

I think you can't actually start official maternity leave later than day baby is actually born - maternity leave starts the day baby is born at the latest but can start earlier. Unless you're talking about saving your annual leave for the end of maternity leave?

[jadeyty]

I am starting maternity leave on due date but have 6 weeks annual leave to take so leaving work at 34 weeks.