Maternity leave - when do/did you start?

[Naetha]

Apologies for another straw-poll question, I'm just interested to see when people are intending to or have started their maternity leave and their reasons for it, and whether they're intending on doing the same again?

Thanks!

[Posey]

First pregnancy I stopped work at 30 weeks because I was struggling to do my job. It was pretty physical and I was on my feet rushing around all day. It was my choice, I wasn't forced out.
2nd time around, I stopped around 33 weeks. It was a natural time to break as I was working in a pre-school and it co-incided with a holiday.

[Nbg]

With my dd I intended to leave at 34 weeks but actually had to leave at 28 weeks due to illness. I was signed off 2 weeks previous and it was agreed by my gp, employer and myself that this was the best option.

I found it quite nice to have the rest tbh. It was a bit lonesome at times as my dh was working away but nice to get some "me time" in before baby arrived.

I know alot of people dont leave till as late as possible because they would be too bored or want as much time as possible with the baby.
I think it all depends on your circumstances.

[barbamama]

tommorow yeah!!!!

last time I went to 38 weeks - insane. This time going at 31 weeks! - 4 weeks annula leave and then 4 weeks before the due date - much more civilized!

Don't kill yourself to show that pregnant women are still comitted etc etc - you don't get any recognition for it and all I got was high bp and swollen feet.

[RGPargy]

I intend to leave at 36 weeks, but as i commute to the city, i will see how i feel nearer the time. I hope it might actually be a bit sooner as i'm trying to save what annual leave i can so that i can a bit earlier if possible.

[plummymummy]

I finished at 38.5 weeks. Insane? Sort of. I wanted a long time off with ds. Also I was so uncomfortable with spd that I thought my time at home would be wasted as I wouldn't be able to go shopping or do housework etc whereas I could just about drive to work and sit down to do paperwork. This time I might finish a bit earlier but only a week or so - health permitting.

[Trimum2]

I had overland train and then tube commute in London at peak hours. I stopped at 36 weeks. But would have been happy to stop at 34. The last 2 weeks were very tough, particularly if people did not get up to offer you a seat.

I have found the last 6 weeks of pregnancy tough. My belly seems to have rapidly expanded and my mobility has gone from excellent to finding things a bit of a struggle.

I haven't found myself bored in my time off. Plenty of preparing and shopping etc. in order to get organised.

[MotherofZ]

With my first pregnancy I wanted to work up to 39 weeks - but ended up with hig blood pressure and as my boss is a midwife (work at a Univeristy) she basically persuaded me to leave 2 weeks earlier and rest at home. Glad I did, as DD one arrived about 10 days after going on Mat Leave!

[Mumpbump]

I stopped at 38 weeks first time around and will do the same again this time, assuming I am well enough to keep working. I only get statutory maternity pay so want to keep as much of my maternity leave for after the baby arrives as possible.

[scoobydoo33]

Hi Naetha, this is my first pregnancy and it seems to be the consensus (a couple of my colleagues are pregnant also) that we stop at 34 weeks, so this is what we have informed Personnel and this seems to be the norm (if there is such a thing!). x

[emmatomATO]

I wanted to work right up to having my first baby as I wanted most of the time off afterwards.

I started maternity leave two days before baby came. Unplanned - my waters broke on the doorstep just as I got home from work one day and ds popped out two days later.

[daizydoo]

I had 2 weeks holiday to use so I finished work at 34 weeks. I was looking forward to it, but I was sooo bored by the time my DS was born at 41 weeks.

[Guitargirl]

I stopped at 37.5 weeks and to be honest found the last 2 weeks quite hard. Not so much the work or time in the office but the commute and hauling myself plus HUGE bump out of bed every morning. DD born at 42 weeks though so ended up with plenty of time at home to prepare.

[theressomethingaboutmarie]

I am due on the 10th of October and am torn between finishing on the 21st of September and the 28th of September. I commute to the City at peak times and like another poster said, it can be quite hard (even at my stage) when you don't get offered a seat. I get statutory maternity pay only but have saved 2 weeks holiday to supplement that.

[Gumbo]

38 weeks last time, and wish I'd worked for longer! I was bored witless for the next 12 days until I went into labour!

If I did it again I'd definitely work until 39 weeks. (It's also great for sending your colleagues into a blind panic every time you move/stretch...)

[LilRedWG]

Was due to stop at 36 weeks, but when my CS was booked for 38 weeks I brought my date forward by two weeks. My boss said he'd been expecting me to say I wanted to finish earlier for weeks as I was hauling my hefty sorry ass around on crutches. In hindsight I should have got myself signed off at about 28 weeks, but stupid work loyalty and all that....

[devonsmummy]

i stopped at 37 weeks - was getting hard toget up and down stairs for the loo!!!

[ChasingSquirrels]

1st pg - 32 weeks (baby then born at 37 wks)
2nd pg - 32 weeks (baby then born at 37 wks)

I was just so tired and exhausted, due to fairly constant morning sickness nearly throughout.

[skidaddle]

stopped at 40 weeks and still had a two week wait until I finally had dd - i would work as long as possible and that way you get more time with your baby - depends what your job is of course (I just sit around writing about psychology)

[lisad123]

I intended to leave at 34 weeks with dd which was at the end of term, so good timing, but was on sick from 27 weeks, although work paid me up until the 34 weeks agreed
This time was going to leave at 36 weeks, but at 26 weeks am already signed off again, and doesnt look like I'll be back

Im bored out of my mind, but only as Im unable to do a lot
Lisa

[elkiedee]

baby was due at end of April and had outstanding annual leave to use as my leave year runs from the anniversary of when I started in late May. So last day of work was Thurs 5 April, first day of maternity leave proper 23 April (39 + 6), due date 24 April, baby, admitted to hospital on 2 May for induction, baby finally turned up on 4 May.

[estobi1]

Last time I finished at 32 weeks and took a bit of a holiday. It was the best thing I could ahve doen as I had a good opportunity to rest and relax and get everything ready for the arrival of my dd. I wasn't bored at all and I would love to finish at about that time this time around although I need all of the SMP I can get and will probably have to work later.

[mamama]

I stopped working at 37 weeks, 5 days before DS was born.

[Imawurzel]

Hoping to stop at 36 weeks. Have 2 weeks holiday and then 2 weeks of mat leave.
I work on shop floor but manager has said i will probably do the tills later on when i cant walk far.Will stilll have to stand behind the till and walk about,getting cig's,lotto, stamps, spirits etc. Big till area. I would like more time off after with the baby.(thinking that at the mo, it may change if it's a screamer )

[PregnantGrrrl]

Last time, 37 weeks. baby was a week over due- bored senseless at home!

This time, 37 weeks but i have a 1yr old and i'm much more achey this time round!

[tasja]

Stopped working on 31weeks. I was working in London and living in Northampton. Took the train in. Just got to much - all the traveling and walking. Glad I did because on 33 weeks I was admitted to hospital because of pre-eclamsia. So I had time to relax at home in those 2 weeks - if you can call cleaning every single corner relax!