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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Thinking of starting mat leave earlier. What are your plans?

32 replies

HidingInTheUndergrowth · 04/12/2011 14:38

I had planned on starting my mat leave at 37 weeks but I am seriously considering moving it a week earlier and also hanging onto a weeks holiday to take before I go so I would finish work at 35 weeks.

Now I don't really have any good reason or excuse to do this, I really am having quite a easy pregnancy and have a desk based job so not physically exhausting (though mentally rather trying at times). It's just that at 26 weeks I am already getting tired, annoyed and generally lacking all interest in work, so really just want to finish as soon as possible and do nice baby things.

Most of me can't help but think finishing 2 weeks earlier seems an amazing idea but there is a little bit of me that worries that I would just end up getting incredibly bored at home for 5 weeks, or longer if the baby is late.

So, I thought I would consult with the great hive mind that is mumsnet and see what other people are planning on doing or did with previous kids?

OP posts:

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warzonemummy · 04/12/2011 15:09

Dear Hiding, I will take my time off (I can't call it maternity leave because I am my own boss living outside the UK) from 35 weeks on and then go back home to London and do all the shopping and everything in last few weeks. I am worried if the baby is early or worried if the airline people just not let me on the plane to get home at such late stage.

warzonemummy · 04/12/2011 15:10

When do you have to let them know first? Maybe you should wait and see how you feel closer to the time.

spannermary · 04/12/2011 15:15

I'm planning on starting at 33 weeks! Because I'm a teacher this will see me through to half term...seems better than going back. The end of term would have me at 39 weeks and that's not going to happen! And I don't want to leave in the middle. I've had pretty bad
Hyperemesis so reckon I'm going to spoil myself and rest up/cook many meals to freeze/go on walks etc. It'll be good for baba!

MissRee · 04/12/2011 16:17

I'm finishing on Friday when I'll be 36+6... the last few weeks have been a massive struggle just because I have a 3 hour (minimum, depending on traffic) commute into London every day. It makes my working day around 12 hours long :( I can't wait to finish but am proud I've managed for this long

TeuchterInTheCity · 04/12/2011 16:23

I finished at 36 weeks and could not have worked any longer, even at a desk based job. By 37 weeks I had to roll out of bed and everything was a big effort. and I had a great pregnancy.

I was quite bored but set myself something to do every day and tried to catch up with friends. I also 'swam' a lot (i.e. Bobbed around in the pool) as it was the only place I could get comfy!

melliebobs · 04/12/2011 17:09

I'm starting mat. leave really late. Infact my mat leave starts when i'm 39+1. I have 14 days a/l to tag on to the beginning of it. But my theory was i'd rather have more time at the end, than start my mat leave early and just be bored stiffless cos it would be my sodding luck the baby will be 2 weeks late. That's a fortnight extra i could have with my baby at the end

newartriotstar · 04/12/2011 17:33

I was planning on starting my maternity leave at 38+3 but it became really clear at about 32 weeks that it just wasn't going to happen! I'm not having a difficult pregnancy or anything but my head really just wasn't in the game anymore and I didn't feel that I was working up to my usual standard (teacher) so I arranged to finish at 35 weeks instead. Am now 36 weeks and loving being on maternity leave and being able to actually enjoy and acknowledge being pregnant. When I was at work it was pushed into the background as I was so busy!

Alligatorpie · 04/12/2011 18:14

FOr my first, I planned to work until 39 weeks, it worked out perfectly. I worked on the Friday and went into labour on the Monday. I was an employment counsellor and spent most of my day sitting. I loved that I spent a whole year home with my dd and didn't go back to work until the day after her first birthday.
With this one, things are different. I teach kindergarten so never sit down at work and I am living overseas. I think I will go to the UK to have the baby so will be at the mercy of the airlines, which I think is 36 weeks. I am sure I will be ready by then.

VeronicaSpeedwell · 04/12/2011 18:33

I'm only just starting to think about this, but am seriously thinking of beginning my ML at 35+2, as I teach and it will save me going back after a holiday.

crappyhappybabby · 04/12/2011 18:43

I took my maternity early this June at 35 weeks. I ended up giving birth 2 weeks late, so I had already had seven weeks off before I had dc3. I am due back in april, when she is 7 months and I know it's still quite a long way off, but it will fly by and i just feel as though it will be too soon to leave her. In short, if I could go back and take my leave later, I would stick it out.

MrsDobalina · 04/12/2011 19:09

I'd say do it!! I took mine at 37 weeks for DC1 and I can honestly say that those 3 weeks of lazing around watching daytime tele and doing absolutely nothing were wonderful... I started mine at 34 weeks for DC2 and she arrived on my first day of mat leave.. So much for the relaxing I'd been looking forward to

blueeyedmonster · 04/12/2011 19:18

I finished at 33 weeks. Would have gone longer but cleaning is hard work and you are not really able to take it easy as such. Plus it means I can go back to work at the start of the summer holidays

DeeOfTheNorth · 04/12/2011 19:22

I was planning to go on mat leave at 37 weeks but moved it forwards to 35. And I'm soooo glad I did. The last two weeks at work were a real struggle - I certainly don't think I could've gone on for another two.

hubbahubster · 04/12/2011 19:23

I went three weeks before my due date but only ended up with two weeks to myself as had to have an ELCS a week early. You'll never get this time to yourself again, so I say take it! I wish I'd gone earlier, my job is quite responsible although I'm behind a computer, and the stress combined with the commute really drained me. I should have gone at least two weeks before I actually did. Didn't help that my cover got messed up and didn't start until a week after I left either... I ended up doing bits from home to help out seethes at the memory

easytiger12 · 04/12/2011 19:25

I finished at 39 weeks and baby arrived a few days early, giving me only 2 days ML before becoming a mummy!

It was brilliant. No time for sitting around being bored, worried, restless. I had a lovely, quick and easy labour too, and I think that keeping busy right up until the end contributed to the nice labour and the early arrival.

My friend finished work 5 weeks before due date then was 2 weeks late so ended up with almost 2 months of sitting around and was desperately bored and frustrated.

I think it depends on what type of person you are and also how 'ready' you are - ie, is nursery ready, all shopping done, hospital bag packed etc? From the posts here it seems everyone's different though, and you should do what feels right for you.

Good luck! x

DaydreamDolly · 04/12/2011 19:28

1st baby, I left at 36 weeks and could not have gone on any longer! I had totally lost interest by about 30 weeks if I'm homest, plus with sciatica, my office job was really uncomfortable, and I was working 5 days a week. I was 2 weeks overdue so had 6 weeks off before DD arrived and I don't regret a day of it!
This time round, I only work 2 days a week so feel I could go on longer, but would like to spend time with DD1 and not rush around, so will be finishing work when I am 35 weeks.
I'd try and stick it out til 36 weeks if you can, especially if you are going back to work. The more time off before the baby comes, the less time off when the baby is here.
Congrats by the way!

PinkFondantFancy · 04/12/2011 20:51

I finished at 31 weeks, baby came at 37. They were honestly some of the best few weeks of my life. I did something every day, yoga or swimming, visiting friends, having lunch out. I was never once bored and it gave me the chance to actually enjoy my pregnancy.

mellie when does your leave year start and finish? Your maternity leave has to start on the day the baby is born at the latest, so just wanted to check that if the baby comes early you won't lose any leave from this year?

melliebobs · 04/12/2011 22:10

My leave year starts 1st April. If by some miracle baby is early 5 days can be carried over. But no one has mentioned losing leave

I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that baby is as anal with time keeping as me

PinkFondantFancy · 04/12/2011 23:08

Sounds like you'll be ok then mellie!

Original poster

HidingInTheUndergrowth · 05/12/2011 09:43

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I was wondering if I was just being a bit pathetic so it's nice to know that people started theirs earlier then I thought and enjoyed having the time.

Having thought about it over night I have decided I will move it forward. As I said, my job isn't physically demanding at all but my work load just seems to be getting larger and I am finding my patience with stupid challenging people getting very minimal. I think if I leave it too late I will only end out having a shouting match with some manager and getting into trouble so better for eveyone if I am safely tucked up at home

OP posts:

Xmasbaby11 · 05/12/2011 10:36

You are not pathetic at all - trust your instinct! Anything from 32-34 weeks is normal and most midwives recommend leaving then if at all possible.

I finished at 36, which seemed early when I first planned it, but I could not have lasted another day. The tiredness for me really kicked in at about 34 weeks and the same as you really - not demanding physically but just lost interest and it felt like a waste of energy when I wanted to prepare the house etc for the baby. I really slowed down and everything took longer than normal, so I couldn't face normal things like going xmas shopping after work.

Don't forget labour is a very physical act so it's good to be as rested as possible before it happens. And it can well come earlier than expected - first babies aren't always late!

I'm on leave now and can highly recommend it!

goodnightmoon · 05/12/2011 12:24

i'm still working in my 38+ week now. planning to wrap up on Wednesday and I have a c-section scheduled for a week's time from then.

I don't like sitting around the house and actually enjoy my job. My worry is just that I'll go into labour at any time! Also have a 3.5 year old at home to deal with, he's harder work than work.

mediawhore · 05/12/2011 12:30

I started ML today at 35+6 - though I have been off since 29 weeks due to SPD (and one week half term holiday).

Have loved being able to nap during the day (my other kids are at school/childminders) and just chill out.

Has been crap though cos i can't actually do anything else - even walking to my car is painful so no Xmas shopping or anything for me.

Yummymummyyobe1 · 06/12/2011 23:08

I am due on April 29th which is a Saturday and plan to work until the day before my due date. Although somebody mentioned that my company like you to finish 2 weeks earlier. My logic is the less time I take before the baby is born the longer I have afterwards.

LoveInAColdClimate · 07/12/2011 07:23

I'm finishing at 35 weeks, using annual leave until 40 weeks then starting ML the Sunday before my due date. Am 25+6 and feeling fine at the moment so keep wondering if I should push it back but people keep warning me that the difference between how I feel now and then is likely to be huge...

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