When did you/are you starting your maternity leave?

[TheBreadstick]

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!

LoveInAColdClimate Not really. At this point I'm working more in a support role than in a more active one. My HOD has been very understanding, and anything too stressful has been given to other people. HR keeps on asking me if I'm still well enough to work, and for the past 6 weeks they've been reassuring me that I can start my ML as soon as I feel like it.
If my waters break at work, I think that I'll just laugh my head off :o

Thanks, everyone! Just wondered as I knew it would worry me . I hope everyone manages to get things finished and to manage to avoid leaking all over their chair .

End of April when I'll be 32 weeks. Am not planning going back and we are moving into a new house which is not yet finished. So I want plenty time to nest and spend time with ds before baby comes and time to cook for the freezer etc.
Booking in for a section at 38 weeks so it will give me 6 weeks off to get organised.
I can't wait!!!

I am taking 4 weeks' annual leave (from 19 March onwards - I'll be 36 weeks then) before starting maternity leave straight after, on 16 April (one day before my due date). Even though now my work involves mainly sitting at my desk, answering emails, it I find it hard to stay alert for 8 hours a day and can't wait for 19 March. I will still have enough annual leave/accrued bank/privilege holidays to extend my time off by another few weeks after 16 April 2013.

Hi

I am looking to piggyback on this post and get some much needed advise.

I asked the HR when is the earliest I can take my mat leave from and they only calculated the last date based on my accrued leave. This means, I will have to work a week before my due date. HR didn't include the 11 weeks from due date (as mentioned in Gov.uk) in her calculation. I am not enjoying my job (just joined in Dec) and am mentally exhausted. So I really want to start my annual leave early. I also won't be qualifying for the SMP.

Is it normal to not include the 11 weeks when calculating the mat leave start date? Is it within employer's right?

Please help! I am speaking to the HR again tomorrow, so would want to know my rights.