To think there's nothing wrong with early mat leave?

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I'm starting mine at 34 weeks. Well technically I'll be using up annual leave before it officially starts at 37 weeks but have had a few raised eyebrows from colleagues saying it's early! It's not really though is it?

It seems the expectation amongst people at my company is to work as long as possible before the baby is due. I understand some people prefer to do this, but I can think of nothing worse than working up to 38-39 weeks. Why should I struggle through the last few weeks if I don't have to?

I can think of nothing better than doing absolutely as little as possible before baby comes.

34 weeks isn't early is it?

Well, it is in that you’re taking time away at the other end from time with your baby. I worked until 39 weeks, I would have rather had that time at the end and have another 6 weeks off with the baby.

Horses for courses and all that…

No it's fine. I started at 35 weeks both times. It's hard being in the late stages of pregnancy, harder for some than others depending on how your pregnancy is going. It's nice to have some time before the baby comes and everything changes and you are exhausted. There's no medal for working right up to the end, although some people take a weird kind of pride in it

Do whatever works for you, just bear in mind that going on leave earlier means returning to work when baby is younger. You might wish you had more time with baby - but on the other hand you might be desperate to get back to work and ‘normal’ life. Impossible to predict! Good luck with it all.

I did it twice, over 30 years ago and it was wonderful!
Did a trip or two, managed pregnancy yoga without falling asleep in class, had time to enjoy and rest…let your colleagues chunter. Do what suits you.

I'm not really returning earlier though because I'm using annual leave first before it begins, then I'll also tag some annual leave on at the end of my maternity if I feel I need to extend it. I'll likely have to have a CS at 39 weeks anyway so 2 weeks of official maternity leave before hand seems reasonable to me

I finished at 35 weeks, I have a high risk pregnancy and stand for 8 hour shifts and I still got judgment for finishing at 35 weeks, I just think nobody knows your body and mind like you, and if you feel it’s right for you then that’s all that matters ☺️

I wouldn't pass judgement and all jobs are different but it wouldn't be for me. I did finish at 37w with DC1 and he was 9 days overdue - I was bored rotten.

Worked until 38w with DC2 (who was on time) and worked to 38w with DC3 who was due to be induced at 39w but it was moved forward after an appointment so I literally worked until my agreed date 38w and went in for my induction that night!

I went at 35 weeks and that last 5 weeks was blissful. Didn’t feel early - felt perfect.

As PP said it seems some people get a weird kick out of saying they worked right up until they pretty much gave birth I had a colleague who was clearly struggling a lot but finished literally days before the baby came

Depends on your job and how well you are keeping physically and mentally. I have a mainly desk-based job and was fit and healthy with no complications - so I worked til 39 weeks. I liked having work to focus on as otherwise I think I might have spent too much time sitting around overthinking and stressing. The other benefit of starting leave later is of course having more time with baby before having to return to work.

Yanbu. It depends how you feel and how you're keeping I guess. I worked right up to 3 days before my due date with my first, but was keeping v well and no younger children to look after etc so was able to rest up in the evenings. However, with my second I finished at around 34 weeks as was exhausted from running round after a toddler as well as working and had some sciatica. Definitely go with your instincts. Enjoy some r&r before baby arrives! All the best

Well to me it's early, but to you it isn't, just depends on what works best for you. I wanted as much time off with the baby afterwards, so took my maternity leave from the due date, with a week of leave before it. But I worked in an office, sitting down all day, it wasn't hard physically. I might've wanted to do something different if I'd had a more physical job. I was glad I left it so late in the end, as he was almost 2 weeks late, so I had a long wait.

I have a desk based job also but it takes up a lot of my mental energy, and I feel so tired every single day that it really is a struggle. I'm on iron tablets but honestly don't think they make a difference

With my first I worked until the end (took a few annual leave days beforehand that needed using) and with my second I went at 35 weeks. This time I plan to work as long as possible because it's true the time felt shorter. Do whatever you want to do!

I'd rather have had the extra time at the end with baby

I started maternity leave at 38weeks but took 4weeks off before that using all of that years annual leave. It was great! Who cares what people say, best thing to do is respond with 'we're all different aren't we, funny that!'.

Not a weird kick at all.

For me I felt well and was able to save all my leave and didn't have to go back until DC were 13 months

My plan was the same as yours finishing at 35 weeks using a couple of weeks holiday. I was looking forward to time off but then ended up giving birth 10 day after 😂.
It's your mat leave and up to you when you finish. I'll be honest I couldn't have done much longer at work, I was massive and in agony with my back and so so tired! It's your time to prepare so start it when YOU want to xx

It definitely sounds like you're doing the right thing for you - it can be so hard being pregnant, esp the last trimester!

It does take time away from the other end as you would tag on annual leave anyway- however I’m not saying it’s a bad idea! Take your 2 weeks of freedom and relax relax relax. I did work up to the end of my last pregnancy.. finished work on a Friday and C-section on the Monday. Did not do my mental health any good whatsoever.

I finished at 36 weeks and got raised eyebrows, told id be bored etc etc. Actually I did some baking, batch cooked for the freezer, slept a lot and had some much needed me-time. I found pregnancy physically and mentally exhausting and I needed to rest up. Didn't hurt that I hated my job and wanted an excuse to get out asap.
I did go back to work early (baby was 9 months old) to a new job which I love. I don't regret doing so at all. Take the time you need now and let future you worry about your return to work.

I worked to 39 weeks both times and as mine were both 9 days late it didn’t matter. Saved all the mat leave and my annual leave for the other end after they were here.

34 weeks does feel incredibly early to me. But you do you.

I went off at 26 then 28 weeks as my pelvis just gave up - am a nurse so physically I just couldn’t do the job standing walking etc for 3x12 hour shifts I’m sure I was talked about but I was in agony, the second time was a surprise baby and I def wouldn’t have chosen to go through that pain a second time so close to my other son. Most of the people I worked with went ‘early’ due to the nature of job, being kicked etc it’s not really safe or comfortable in late pregnancy.

I wanted as much time after the baby was here as possible, so used both maternity leave and accrued annual leave afterwards. Especially as maternity leave was so much shorter back when I had my first.

Very little difference between sitting in an office and sitting around at home.

Others have different styles of job, and different preferences about whether they use maternity/other leave before or after. Not a big deal really.

With my first I was going to take leave from 38 weeks, but ended up having the baby at 36 weeks. With my second I took my leave from 36 weeks, and I'll do that with my third this spring, too.