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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start maternity leave a month before due date?

63 replies

Closingtime94 · 30/09/2020 13:36

Hello,

I was just wondering if taking maternity leave a month before due date would be unreasonable - my due date is the 31st of January but I know it can be two weeks either way and I would like some time off after Christmas haha and before the baby arrives - is this too soon or would it be okay?

I'm new to pregnancy and Mat leave and everything so wanted peoples opinions and whether they think it's too soon or not or what may be a better idea

Thanks

OP posts:
FunDragon · 30/09/2020 14:09

Absolutely up to you. I’d say the factors to consider are:

Your role
Your commute
Your finances
Your intended childcare arrangements
How long you intended to take off in total
How your pregnancy has been to date.

Totally anecdotal but I went off at 36 weeks. Baby didn’t arrive till 41 weeks and actually, in the end, I really wished I’d had that time at the end of my maternity not least because we had a difficult period to cover between the end of my mat leave and the start date for nursery.

AriesTheRam · 30/09/2020 14:14

I left 10 weeks before due date

lifesalongsong · 30/09/2020 14:15

Please don't make your choice based on what anyone else did or is doing. Your circumstances are unique to you and you need to make a decision you're comfortable with. No one can tell you what the best option for you is.

Ohdoleavemealone · 30/09/2020 14:17

I had about 8 weeks before baby came due to someone else coming back from Mat leave and the way it would have affected my pay.

I wish I had had less time and then saved it for time with baby to be honest. Do you have some annual leave you can use either side? I don't think I would leave more than 2 weeks before due date as the reality is, the majority of babies come late rather than early and I found it boring sitting around for so many weeks waiting!

kittykat35 · 30/09/2020 14:17

Do what suits you OP, I took mine at 29weeks!! It was bliss!

steff13 · 30/09/2020 14:19

I think it's up to you. I worked up until my due date with all three of mine.

mamma4586 · 30/09/2020 14:29

I started 1 month before my due date as I had a lot of holiday to use up. It was wonderful - I still had a lot of energy and went on a local holiday with DH. When it got the the final week before my due date I was pretty tired and good to rest and wait.

Coquohvan · 30/09/2020 14:32

I went into labour at 34 wks with twins day after I stopped working as arranged with my work. Twins usually are quite early arrivals so while not unexpected it was earlier than we’d hoped to have, perhaps 2/3 weeks rest before their arrival.
All the best with your pregnancy take as much time off before the birth you can would be my advice.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/09/2020 14:36

I pretty much finished a month before as I had 2 weeks of annual leave to take, I just had to go in for one day at 37 weeks.

Facelikearustytractor · 30/09/2020 14:37

Do it. I was shattered in the last month and went off at 36 weeks for both. Work and pregnancy is knackering so you need time to relax beforehand. Mine both came wk 39, although 1st one induced.

DontAskIDontKnow · 30/09/2020 14:38

Bear in mind when you’ll be going back. If you take a full year, then will you want to go back before Christmas or in the new year. You may have enough annual leave accrued to be able to go back later, but it’s worth thinking about now.

My first was 2 weeks over, so I was glad I worked (in my desk job) up to 37 weeks.

MrsxRocky · 30/09/2020 14:39

I didn't want to waste any of my maternity leave so I didn't take much annual leave that Yr I was pregnant and took 3 weeks hols before my elective section. My mat leave started on my c section date.
That's another option.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/09/2020 14:40

Do it. It's the last time you'll get this opportunity. Mat Leave with dc2 is pants (heavily pregnant with a toddler was it's own brand of awful) so anyone expecting dc1 I'm a big advocate of enjoying the peace and quiet for as long as possible.

GameSetMatch · 30/09/2020 14:40

I went on maternity three months before my first born was due, I wasn’t going back to work after baby so wasn’t really a huge deal. I think a month is perfectly fine.

RosieGirl27 · 30/09/2020 14:44

When does your holiday run from op? I used all my annual leave for the month of February and had my baby on his due date 5th March so I’d only actually used 5 days maternity before he was born. I loved having that final month to myself. I saw family and friends, got manicures and pedicures and slept!!!

Twizbe · 30/09/2020 14:46

Both my babies were due on 31st Jan. with both I took 3 weeks AL to take me to the end of the year and then had 1 week wfh before I went on maternity leave.

WaterOffADucksCrack · 30/09/2020 14:47

I tried to start maternity leave 5 times before I actually did! I manage a care home and the owners kept guilt tripping me into "just one more.....".
Yanbu to start when you feel happy to. I wished I did because I was so so ill when I was pregnant, still throwing up all day and night and my iron count was the lowest the hospital had ever seen. I should have put my health first but they just made me feel so bad.

With Christmas however, if you're back at work for next Christmas I'd rather work this Christmas being pregnant and be off next Christmas.

OwlBeThere · 30/09/2020 14:47

I went into labour with my first in work, I was 3 weeks early and was due to finish a week later. It worked well at the time because maternity leave was only 16 weeks at the time.
My second was a month early but I’d been on bed rest for a Month alrwsdy at that point.
My third I almost gave birth in work because it was 9 weeks early and I refused to believe I was in labour (denial!)
The last one I wasn’t working as I was still on maternity leave from number 3 Blush

WaterOffADucksCrack · 30/09/2020 14:49

Also, if you go over by 2 weeks that's 6 weeks you've saved up. I'd rather have more time with the baby.

WaterOffADucksCrack · 30/09/2020 14:54

I meant used up!

Heyahun · 30/09/2020 14:58

Do what works for you! I’m working right up until the end - but will be working at home the last month so not too stressful

Tipsylizard · 30/09/2020 14:59

I had 1 week off before my first came and I regret it wasn't more...all I did was run around like a loon getting things ready (I was knackered before he came). I took 2 weeks off before my second and kept my son in nursery so had a chance to get sorted out but also relax a bit and recharge as there is only 18 months difference between them. That felt about right for me.

Disco91 · 30/09/2020 15:04

I finished at 36 weeks with both my pregnancies and it was nice to relax a bit before the birth and sleepless nights!

First baby arrived at 37 weeks and my second arrived at 39+1 so for neither child did I get a month off!!

HEYAhhhhhhhhh · 30/09/2020 15:06

If you take it early, you go back early. Its your choice and not unreasonable. Smile

Di11y · 30/09/2020 15:15

I regretted taking 3 weeks off before due date when DD was 10 days late. But it depends how you're feeling with your pregnancy, how full on your job is etc. Any time you have off before you're going back that much earlier with childcare costs to account for.

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