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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When are you taking maternity leave?

40 replies

yummymango · 05/07/2011 17:29

Just wondering when you ladies are taking maternity leave?

I planned to start mine 2 weeks before my due date but I am not sure whether that's a bit late? It's fine when I am there but I have to get a bus and 2 packed tubes to work, never mind all the up and down steps in between.

I am wondering whether to stick some leave on the beginning and go off a week or two before that?

Interested in what you are all doing. Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

getagoldtoof · 06/07/2011 20:57

Sugar, I had hoped to read at least a few working up until their due date! I'm 28 weeks, just had two weeks leave, and bored as anything though. Working till 2 days before due date - yikes! Got a bus and tube journey too, but like others, need the dosh as husband lost his job!

MissusCT · 06/07/2011 21:21

I'm leaving 10 days before I'm due.

Only 12 days to go :o

JimmyChoo17 · 07/07/2011 00:35

I started today! I Was leaving 7 days before but started it 9 days before due date as had had enough of working but to be honest felt fit enough to carry on I just wanted to take time to myself. Mind u I feel like I'm about to pop so it night not work out like that! I am lucky and have carried my leave over to next year to take at end of mat leave.

I'm due next week with my first :)

Trinaluce · 07/07/2011 08:30

I start mat leave on Monday (38+1) - but have been on annual leave since the start of June due to quirks in accruing leave and when our leave year runs (Apr-Mar) so I think I stopped at around 32 weeks.

Every day I ask myself if I can go back yet, DD is driving me CRAZY...

Original poster

yummymango · 08/07/2011 14:26

Thanks for all your comments. I think I will stick to 2 weeks before my due date but keep the 2 weeks leave in case I want to go earlier. Work seems to be quite flexible about it which is good.

babyonboard yes sooooo wrong!! ;)

Good luck to those who are almost due!!

OP posts:

Mumswang · 08/07/2011 14:40

i'm finishing 3 weeks before my due date

with DS1 i was due to finish two weeks before, convinced he would be at leasta week late, and he was actually born on the friday that was meant to be my last day at work

thought i'd give myself an extra week this time, i'm more tired with a 2 year old to run around after, a longer commute, a hotter time of year etc, but i bet this one will be two weeks late and i'll be twiddling my thumbs for 5 weeks before it arrives

hey ho, we've just moved house, so i'll have plenty to do

corkythecat · 08/07/2011 18:44

Am planning on finishing at 36 weeks ans adding a weeks holiday on top of that so I can finish at 35 weeks. Am much more tired 2nd time around.

theonlyhb2 · 08/07/2011 19:40

i will be 35+3 when I leave next Friday........if you asked me 10 weeks ago when I would have liked to leave, I would have said straight away.

Yet now with a week to go, I am actually being the most productive ever (finally!) and been feeling really well (finally!) and working full time for the first time since December, and I could probably go on quite easily til 38 weeks.

i havent actually really organised or done anything so its probably best I am off sooner rrather than later :)

otchayaniye · 08/07/2011 19:49

I'm about to take it on Monday when I'm 34 weeks. I have all this year's holiday to use up and I want to spend the time with my husband (SAHD, though works two nights) and 2-1/2 year old daughter before this one arrives.

I felt a bit cheated first time (though this was in Asia where mat leave is next to nothing) as I worked until 12 hours before I had my first (sudden preeclampsia) at 36 weeks.

I am planning on an elective section and have had lots of checks for preeclampsia and cholestasis and growth so was expecting not to last the full course, though things look good now and I feel great, albeit a little more tired than usual - oh, and I've puked every day up until now but I no longer have constant nausea.

Good luck everyone.

Fluter · 08/07/2011 19:59

For me, on my EDD (although this is slightly unrealistic because I'm having twins and won't be allowed to go beyond 38 weeks - fine by me, am so enormous already at 24 weeks....). But I do have the joy of only doing 10 hours a week, and that at home, so can work it around napping / boxed sets / watching dodgy daytime TV ....

HappyHollydays · 08/07/2011 20:00

This threads really interesting. Thanks for starting it OP!

I was planning to go at 36 weeks which seemed fine but my boss is not impressed and wants me to work to my due date. I was feeling a bit guilty/self indulgent but actually, 36 weeks isn't that early is it?

I want some time with DD before the baby arrives and to get things ready around the house (homebirth).

Plus I recall being exhausted/not sleeping last time and the 2 hour each way commute is killing me at 24 weeks so another 12 weeks and I'll be useless!

mookickkick · 08/07/2011 20:30

Today was my last day, woohoo! Three weeks to go. Last time took two weeks and dd was 5 days late. Just too tired this time to wait any longer (since weeks actually).

Georgimama · 08/07/2011 20:34

Officially started at 33 weeks but previous 2 weeks were annual leave so out of office at 31 weeks. Last time I left work at 29 weeks but again, 2 weeks was annual leave.

I find the very end of pregnancy utterly knackering, even more so this time with 4 year old DS, and it has been great to have some time with DS one on one.

del1 · 08/07/2011 20:55

I'm starting maternity leave on the day before I'm due. But taking 2 weeks leave before that. making me 38 weeks.
I think driving half hour to and from work, and doing an 8 hour shift will be more relaxing than looking after a 2 1/2 year old, and a 1 year old

madeindevon2 · 14/07/2011 14:37

Last time I went in mat leave week before edd and was nearly 2 weeks overdue and bored!
This time I might have mat leave start on edd . But that depends on whether I can try. For natural delivery or not. If cs is what they recommend after last time then will work until day before I reckon.

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