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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/are you starting your maternity leave?

81 replies

TheBreadstick · 02/02/2012 16:08

Just curious really as I'm pg with my first and planning to start mat leave at around 38 weeks and been getting some real and faces recently when people ask when I'm planning to leave.

I've had a complication free pregnancy so far and I'm feeling really fit and well in myself - just can't help thinking I'd like more time off after baby comes rather before, or am I just kidding myself! Eeek!

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CatsRule · 02/02/2012 16:19

Hi,

I'm starting mine next Friday and I can't wait . By that time I'll be 37+3 weeks.

I was thinking the same that I'd rather have more time off when the baby is here plus when I return to work the baby will be a little older than if I started my mat leave earlier...if that makes sense!

When is your baby due?

happyhorse · 02/02/2012 16:19

I started my maternity leave at 36 weeks and am glad I did as DS was born a week later. I was fit and healthy and feeling fine and there was no sign that DS would come early.

Friends who have had babies recently seem to have all worked until 38 weeks with no problems. I don't think it's a problem as long as you're prepared to accept that if the baby comes early you'll have no time to call your own beforehand.

Bear in mind also that when the baby comes it could well be years months before you get stress free a minute to yourself.

Original poster

TheBreadstick · 02/02/2012 16:30

CatsRule I'm due mid-April, so a while to go yet.

Just wanted to know if I'm being overly blase about what to expect in later pregnancy or if others, like me, would rather have those few extra weeks with the baby rather than on the sofa waiting!

OP posts:

JambalayaCodfishPie · 02/02/2012 16:34

Finishing April 5th, when we break up for Easter hold, due April 22nd, so about 37.5 wks.

CatsRule · 02/02/2012 16:40

I don't suppose it's possible to know how you're going to feel, not just because it's your first but because I think everyone and each pregnancy is different. I;ve been ok at work, it's not until I go home and sit down do I realise that I'm a little knackered!

I told my work when I "ideally" planned to stop and they said they were flexible which was good as you just never know what'll happen.

It is a good point happyhorse that if the baby arrives early then we will have no time to ourselves. I've also heard of people stopping at 38 weeks and being 2 weeks late so I suppose it's a minefield!

I'm happily living in blissful 1st baby ignorance hoping for a couple of weeks to put my feet up and watch all the films I've recorded

IHeartIona · 02/02/2012 16:43

I went on mat leave at 37 weeks with my first, she was 9 days late. Have been on mat leave since 34 weeks with this one, due tomorrow, just really because of the Christmas and new year break and how it fell.

IHeartIona · 02/02/2012 16:50

Luckily I have been using up holidays so far and not started actual mat leave yet!

Flisspaps · 02/02/2012 16:50

I started ML at Christmas. I am due in April.

I finished purely for financial reasons though, seems no-one wanted to send their children to a pregnant CM who was taking 2 weeks off in April, and my full timer left at Christmas when her mum went on ML herself. I'd hoped to work up to my EDD. Turns out we're better off with me on Maternity Allowance anyway

Worked up to 38 weeks with DD, still had 4 weeks sitting on my arse before she graced us with her presence.

BeattieBow · 02/02/2012 16:53

I'm planning to work until 38 weeks too. I only get 18 weeks paid mat leave so I would rather take this afterwards rather than before the baby is born. Also my employers are pretty good about me coming in later/working from home if it all gets too much for me.

boohome · 02/02/2012 16:53

I saved up most of my annual leave, and then took that time off straight before starting my maternity leave, so was off from 33 weeks.

But I had a few issues with my pregnancy which put me at an increased risk of premature birth, so I decided that finishing work early would be best for me and DS.

KnitterNotTwitter · 02/02/2012 16:53

I stopped work at 35 weeks with DS and feel that for me that was a bit early. With this one for financial and logistical reasons I'm going to work until 39+2... although the last few weeks I'll be able to work from home rather than trek into the office...

Joygirl78 · 02/02/2012 16:58

Late pregnancy is extremely tiring because at that stage you can't sleep well. It's very possible to work that late - but take into account your journey time, as if you have a long commute, or one that involves city commuting, it will not be fun.

With DC1 I fully expected to go overdue. Finished 3 weeks before due date, very good easy pregnancy with loads of physical exercise. Was very tired by then and concentration had totally gone. I had one day at home and then the baby arrived..... Wish I'd had a few more days before, as I didn't even have a hospital bag packed.

This time, I have a just 2 year old, and a much longer train commute into lomdon following car/walk bit taking DC1 to childcare. Am stopping over 6 weeks before due date. Have had another easy pregnancy, and now I only work part time, but already shattered. Who knows whether this baby will be early or late. But I know I need the time. I finish this time next week: can't wait.....

LoveInAColdClimate · 02/02/2012 17:02

Starting holiday at 35 weeks (and going onto actual ML as late as possible, so the Sunday before my due date). One week to go! I'm worried it's a bit early and I'll be bored but I am already very tired.

FWIW, my midwife advised me stop by 36 weeks and said she says the same to all her clients.

MammaInTheMaking · 02/02/2012 17:06

i'm starting mat leave at 39+2!! this is my first baby. i think i can do it though :) btw i commute into London. OK, i'm a nutter!

MillontheFloss · 02/02/2012 17:09

I'll be stopping work at 33 or 34 weeks (due to annual leave) but mat leave will kick in on the Sunday 2 days before due date in early September. Only 9 weeks preg but can't wait! Roll on July!

Runoutofideas · 02/02/2012 17:09

I started at 35 weeks as i hated my job! Dd was born at 37 though so it is lucky I did!

madeindevon2 · 02/02/2012 17:15

I'm finishing a week tomorrow! I will be 38+ 5. It's been fine. Don't regret working til now at all
I commute into London too. It's been fine apart from now I have a stinking cold! And lemsip not allowed :-((
Means I will have more time with baby after. My son is at school so i will go on may leave as he starts half term :-)

theidsalright · 02/02/2012 17:16

I'm on annual leave this week, at 37 weeks and then start maternity leave (so I've more or less just started mat leave-hurrah!)

I agree it's best to use the time afterwards (this is DC2 for me and I did the same last time) although I have to say I was crawling towards the finishing line for the last four weeks of work. TIRED.

vanimal · 02/02/2012 17:22

38 weeks with DD1, although I did negotiate some working from home days each week in the last month of that. I would work for a last long as you can (providing you feel well enough to), it's very frustrating being sat at home waiting for baby to arrive.

That way you get longer off with it afterwards too.

Good luck with it all and enjoy your baby-free time with your DP until then :)

CarrieInAnotherTWOBabiTWINS · 02/02/2012 17:37

personally i dont think working right until fulltime is wise as you dont want to be exhusted before you begin, but i guess you feel different if you know you have to return to work when your mat leave starts, with dd i was planning on leaving about 6 weeks before, but ended up signed off sick for the last 2/3 weeks i was supposed to be at work, due to pg related problems.

this time im a sahm and dd is at school so im at home already.

CarrieInAnotherTWOBabiTWINS · 02/02/2012 17:38

oh and dd was bor at 37 weeks too, so good job i was off really

lindsell · 02/02/2012 17:50

I've saved up my annual leave so finishing at 35 wks but
ML doesn't start til 39wks so I get as long as possible off but don't jaw to work til the end. I did the same last time (this is dc2) and was off on al from 36wks, ml wasn't due to start until 39+5 but ds was born at 38wks so it started then and I got paid extra for the al I couldn't take - worked out well!

Weezie85 · 02/02/2012 17:50

I am starting maternity leave on my due date. However I get all my annual leave before I go so will be leaving work when I am about 36 weeks.

workshy · 02/02/2012 17:53

I started mat leave on my due date with DD1 and at 29 weeks with DD2 as I had SPD and had run out of sick pay so made more sense to start mat leave early

Ponyphysio · 02/02/2012 17:57

I'm finishing at 38+2. A: Because I'm an agency worker and will only get SMP after that, and B: cos the last 3 days are a course that I know I will probably not get funded to go on again. But I too have had a few shocked faces!

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