How many weeks were you when you started maternity leave?

[MillyStar]

I'm 26 weeks today with my first baby, starting to get a bit tired and achey and stuff already, i haven't got a clue how far to work until!

I gave up work at 34 weeks and was really glad I did. I had 2 weeks annual leave then started my maternity leave a month early. Best decision I ever made as I don't think I could have carried on working much longer. The first few weeks of mat leave were very stressful, trying to get everything organised, but I have spent the last 2 weeks relaxing which has been brilliant! (I'm 40 weeks today so just waiting for something to happen now!).

I finish work tomorrow and i'll be 36 weeks exactly. I was hoping to work another couple of weeks but i'm exhausted and can't concentrate on work at all. Can't wait to get the house in order and chill out for a few weeks before the baby arrives :)

I was gonna try and work till the end of march when i'd be 38 weeks as i just sit and type but i dont think i'll be able to now so i'm thinking 34 or 36 weeks myself, i feel so much more pregnant compared to december!

I was 38 weeks but could have worked longer. Everyone is different. Listen to your body.

I stopped the day before 38 weeks and that was with a 3 hour (minimum) commute into the City every day!

My advice would be to pick a date and agree with your boss that you might want to work longer/less time if you feel the need. It's tricky knowing how you're going to feel!

Hits im 33+4 at the mo. My mat leave starts at 39+1 however with annual leave tagged onto the beginning on my last working day I'll be 36+1

I have a very active job and on my feet for big chunks of the day but I'm not suffering apart from being a bit tired in the morning. The hardest bit is more psychological in that I'm resenting being there at the mo cos the end is so close yet so far away I'm half wishing I'd just finished at Xmas!!!!

With DC2 I was going to start at 39 weeks but DC2 born at 38+1!

39+2, and then DD hung on for 40+15 before being hauled out, leaving me very bored at home, would much rather have stayed at work! We're all different, its a difficult date to plan, do what feels right for you. Could you do some shorter weeks in the lead up to your due date, therefore getting some extra rest but not going on ML just yet?

I am starting mine at 31 weeks becuase I want to have plenty of time around the house to enjoy the last couple of months being child-free and sleeping in, watching what I want on the TV and generally being a lady-of-leisure until all hell breaks loose! :)

i left at 33 because i was early and stupidly assumed DD would be too, longest 9 weeks ever :(, this time i'll be 37/38 weeks whats the betting baby will come the day i finish work

I was signed off at 22 weeks and have been off ever since i spent the first month going mad with boredom but once i got into the swing of being a housewife it's been great have spent loads of time with my niece my mum andd my gran, also had plenty of time during the day to do all the baby and house things meaning when DP gets home from work we have plenty of quality time together. It's been lovely having the time to spend on my family before baby gets here and i forget them lol. If i have another i will be taking mat leave as early as possible

I worked until about four days before due date. Sounds mad, but I was feeling really well (pregnancy had put endometriosis into remission) and it was a desk job with a 20 minute door-to-door commute by car. Plus lots of people making me cups of tea when I got there, and in an air conditioned office. I was tired, but as an insomniac that was nothing new IYSWIM.

It really depends on how you feel and what suits you.

40. Not very good planning!

Way back when I was working (when expecting ds who is now 9!) I was 33 weeks when I left, I was planning to work until 38 weeks but it was a very physcially demanding job and I was in too much pain with sciatica so I told them at 32 weeks I was gonna be out of there the next week... Good job I did as I was only off for 2 weeks when he decided to put in an early appearance at 35 weeks.

42 with DD1 and 40 with DD1 ie the day before they were born

But I'm self-employed so no work = no pay

Officially at 39 weeks but taking 2 wks annual leave so 37... At 36 is getting difficult...

I finish on the 15th and i'll be 36 weeks although im having an elcs at 39 weeks, so i'll have three weeks breather. But i'm more than ready now. Wish i could have stopped earlier but i work for my in laws and still training up my replacement.

Once at 39 weeks, and twice at the onset of labour.

I had made an active decision that I'd rather have the time off after the babies were born, and the job was office based (so less stressful than looking after toddlers tbh!) with an easy journey.

39 - was fine for me because I had a desk based job, short commute, felt well and no other children so i could spend plently of time resting when I was at home.

I plan to work up until April 14th - I'm due 28th but my boss has been fab and said just see how I feel closer to the time

I can't decide I was thinking of going at 38 weeks, my mum has had ago at me and said I should work until due date and family friend who is a midwife said not to work past 36 weeks.
For those taking holiday beforehand how do you work this out can you take the whole holiday for the year or just what is earnt by the time I leave? I would prefer to officially finish later but take paid holiday first but by the time I go at the end of May I won't have a huge amount as need the odd day off beforehand.

Finished at 37 weeks with first pregnancy and intending to finish at 34 weeks with second pregnancy (with 2 weeks holiday before maternity leave starts). The holiday you take is what you have accrued up until the point you go on maternity leave (plus any carried over from previous holiday year as is the case for me).

Why does your mum want you to work right up until due date?

I went up until my due date last time but ended up a week late so had a week off. This time going to go to 37 weeks as got to get my flat painted in the last couple of weeks.

I leave the office work base at 36 weeks pregnant but luckily I can work from home with my feet up after that. I will do that until I pop. If that wasn't the case I would leave at 36 weeks. It varies with different people, so days I am more tired than others.