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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 did you start maternity leave?

46 replies

babydust27 · 09/10/2011 19:24

Im 20 weeks pregnant with out 1st child, due 1st March. Ive been thinking about maternity as i keep getting asked when i intend to work up to but have no idea as its our 1st.

I work 30 miles from home (45 min car journey each way), im a manager in a high street retail store and am on my feet most of the day but i'd like to stay as long as sensible as id rather have more time off after with the baby

Can anyone offer me some advice as to when to anticipate starting maternity leave?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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ZuleikaJambiere · 11/10/2011 15:29

With dd1 I left work at 36 weeks, took 2 weeks annual leave and mat leave started at 38 weeks. I have a desk job with an hour or so commute each way - not physically demanding, but all the sitting down was making me seize up and feel like an old lady! Mentally, I'd checked out at about 34 weeks so I'm not sure what work gained from having me there for those final 2 weeks!

This time round I'll be finishing around 32/33 weeks - mainly because Christmas falls then and it seems a nice cut off point. Also DD starts pre school in Jan, so it means I can take her and pick her up, rather than call in favours for a few weeks. It will be nice to see her settle in and then get a couple of hours peace each morning

As others have said, its easy to underestimate now how big and tired you'll feel later, especially if you're feeling fit and healthy at the moment

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and with your little one

Cherrypi · 11/10/2011 20:05

I'm meant to be stopping at 37 weeks but really struggling some days at the moment. I teach 16+ year olds and I'm getting so run down. I'm very tempted to stop after half term at 34 weeks. I just feel so guilty leaving my colleagues with my classes early at leaving students just before the exam. Am i being daft?

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 20:10

Am leaving at 36 weeks (have 3 more days to work :) ) but am also in an office job. Am ready to leave though I can tell you!

cat64 · 11/10/2011 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 11/10/2011 20:34

I'll be 34 weeks when mat leave starts but a week of AL means I'll be 33 weeks on my last day. I'm completely ready for it now. I'm totally knackered with the commute and not sleeping at all. Plus the office chair is causing great pain. I can barely walk on the days I'm in the office and not too bad when I'm at home.

5 more weeks!

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 11/10/2011 20:37

Hang on a minute....I've got a feeling that I allocated all my bank hol hours at the beginning of the AL year...so I might have a day or two to come back as I won't be working at Christmas....

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 11/10/2011 20:38

Yessss, I can claim back 26/27 Dec and 2 Jan so I have three more days AL which is another week off work! :o

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 20:39

Office chair is killing me to gml - my back is in bits!

catgirl1976 · 11/10/2011 20:39

*too

cece · 11/10/2011 20:40

DC1 - 35 weeks
DC2 - 37 weeks
DC3 - 38 weeks

RedHotPokers · 11/10/2011 20:43

37w with DD (she arrived at 38w) and 37w with DS (he arrived at 41w).

My advice would be to finish a bit earlier - 35 - 36 w. I wish I'd finished earlier with DD as it was so hot, I was knackered, and I really enjoyed the bit (only a week!) of ML I did have before becoming a mum! Lots of lying in bed watching daytime telly, plus some frantic cleaning!

FrillyMilly · 11/10/2011 20:43

With my first I finished at 35 weeks. This time I'm starting it at 29 weeks. I've been signed off a lot with hyperemesis and SPD. I didn't want to keep going back to the GP every couple of weeks hoping he will sign me off again. Rather finish and spend some quality time with DD before baby arrives. Not ideal situation but that's life.

maxpower · 11/10/2011 20:43

With DD, I technically started mat leave on her due date, but I took a weeks a/l beforehand and in the end she was 2 weeks late, so in all, I had 3 weeks off. They were the most boring of my life!

With DS, I was due to start mat leave 2 days before he was due, but I took 2 weeks a/l beforehand. He arrived 2 weeks early so in the event, I only had 5 days off.

I have a desk job with an hours commute. When I was expecting DD, I felt fabulous. I had bundles of energy and loved my job, so to stay so late wasn't an issue for me. Second time round with DS, I could merrily have given up work at 20 weeks I was so exhausted and uncomfortable the whole time. For the last 4 weeks I was having take your breath away BH every afternoon. I held out as long as possible though as I wanted to have as much time off with him as I did with DD.

It's hard to anticipate how long you'll feel like working so just remember, mat leave plans aren't set in stone.

stegasaurus · 12/10/2011 12:14

I left at 36 weeks. I work as a nurse, so stressful job on my feet all day not always time for a break, so I wasn't sure I would manage to keep working that late but I did. I had a lovely 3 weeks off then DD was born a week early. It is hard to know what to do for the best, but it is ok if you decide you can't keep going as long as you had decided earlier in the pregnancy.

bmm39 · 12/10/2011 12:43

I am planning to leave 4 weeks before my due date. I am 21 weeks pregnant now.

HappyCamel · 12/10/2011 18:28

39 weeks, finished on the Friday, DD born on Wednesday. Not a good idea, I'm still longing for a week off and she's six months now.

JambalayaCodfishDIE · 12/10/2011 18:47

With DD, I finished at 32 weeks - I was struggling to run a busy restaurant and showing signs of pre-eclampsia.

This time, my job role having changed completely(term-time), i'm hoping to finish at Easter hols, officially starting ML on the first day of the summer term - 1 week before im due. :)

pregnantmimi · 13/10/2011 07:26

simple when you feel you need to I wouldnt go by what anyone does cause everyone different

Rollersara · 13/10/2011 07:36

My plan is to go at 37 weeks, but I suspect it will be before then in reality. Just not sure what I would usefully do at home if I leave any earlier...

Wormshuffler · 13/10/2011 07:46

I'm finishing at 34 weeks, I drive all day as I work as a sales rep.

WeLoveHaribo · 13/10/2011 09:38

I worked to 40 wk with my first, was on go all day but could rest when needed. I cut down days thou around 37wk and only had 15-20min drive. This time I'm sahm working odd days in family business so alot more flex.
Pull a figure out of your head and it can b changed as and when you start to feel the strain. Good luck.

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