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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Opinions on when to take maternity leave?!

39 replies

Lj8893 · 09/05/2013 17:03

Hi all,

I work in retail and am on my feet all day and up and down stairs. I'm only 15 weeks and already got a bump so I anticipate being huge later on!!

I'm not planning on returning to work after my maternity leave so not too worried about not havin enough time after the birth with the baby, however I don't want to go on maternity leave too early as I will get bored quickly!! But will enjoy having some time to myself before the madness starts!

When seems sensible to begin my maternity leave?

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RJM17 · 09/05/2013 17:07

Hey LJ
I am the same and can't decide!! I work in a school so on the go with little ones all day (currently in the pre-school) so I am unsure when to finish. I am only 13 weeks and have quite a defined bump already so expecting to look like a weeble by the end lol.
I am due November so thinking of finishing mid October to give me about 3-4 weeks before baby comes as I have been told there is a good chance I will go early so could only end up with two weeks x

TinkyPeet · 09/05/2013 17:19

I'm absolutely huge so I have left now (30 weeks)
I work in a bar so I'm on my feet, up n down to cellar, high and low shelves, all the cleaning, sometimes vacuuming etc so it's just too much for me now x

Original poster

Lj8893 · 09/05/2013 17:19

I'm thinking about giving myself 6 weeks before my due date which should give me plenty of time to relax and get everything ready and not have to panic.

Being on my feet all day is already killing me and that's only at 15 weeks so i don't really want to work too late in pregnancy! I'm already waddling apparently according to dp!

OP posts:

megarobotdiscoparty · 09/05/2013 17:28

I finished at 36 weeks - that was a desk job. I probably would have stayed longer if I'd enjoyed the work more, but it was not an especially nice place and I was looking for an excuse to get out!

Turned out I found work a struggle from about 34 weeks - horrific tiredness being one factor (turned out I had low iron), but I was also surprised by how much my brain stopped working . I'm normally pretty good at tough deadlines and multitasking, but my powers started to fail as soon as I hit 30 weeks. I was verging on useless by the time I left....

I have had 3 weeks of mat leave so far and not a single sign of being bored! In fact I'm starting to wonder how I ever fit a job into my day (and how on earth I'm going to fit a baby in)

I think it's so different for everyone though, I have friends who would be tearing their hair out by now. Don't discount the mental tiredness as well as the physical though - I imagine the two things together would be tough.

DorsetLass · 09/05/2013 17:32

I have quite a physical job and managed to 32 weeks both times - and was more than glad to stop. No two arrived four weeks early so dry glad I had finished early! The time you have at home before no 1 arrives is really special - if you can afford it take as long as you can and enjoy the calm before the storm (lovely storm that is!)

Original poster

Lj8893 · 09/05/2013 17:35

Dorsetlass (I'm a dorset lass too!!) and megarobot I think you have both made me think that perhaps i should leave at 32 weeks rather than 34.

Thankyou :)

OP posts:

eltsihT · 09/05/2013 17:54

I just finished work at 39wks. Not returning to the same job. i am a teacher and wanted to see pupils up to exam leave. however i stopped at 35 wks with my first, had planned to work to 38wks, but stopped early as i found it too hard going.

Remember you can give work a date you are stopping, but can stop before then without a problem. Just not after that date.

FoofFighter · 09/05/2013 17:56

I have just been made redundant but up until yesterday the plan was for 32 weeks, I do a very physical job and was already struggling at 26w.

ButteryJam · 09/05/2013 21:37

I left at 32 weeks, and very glad I did.

YBR · 09/05/2013 21:39

With DD1 I planned to go to 38 weeks by cutting down my daily hours using annual leave. She had other plans and was born at 36 weeks.
For DC2 I'm planning to take Mat leave from 36 weeks, and use annual leave to work shorter hours the last 3 weeks.
Office-based job and with annual leave allocated in hours (so I can shorten each day by 2 hours if I want).

MortifiedAdams · 09/05/2013 21:44

If you arent planning on going back, go as soon as you are entitled. I took two weeks before EDD (desk job no commute), amd she arrived two days late. I was hoping she would be later!

Now.planning no.2 and I wont ever truly.have that time again as I have toddler dd around.

Steffanoid · 09/05/2013 21:46

I finished at 33 weeks, I work in a busy call centre with shouty customers I worked out when I wanted to go back and added my leave at the beginning, im glad I did cause I have painful pgp and a little boy who has decided to 'grow exponentially' to use dps words

HadALittleFaithBaby · 10/05/2013 03:23

I worked til 35+3, I'm a nurse. At the end I wish is finished sooner! I found it impossible to bend to put patients' shoes and socks on! I'd go off at 34 weeks if I had another.

Emmaw9 · 10/05/2013 11:32

I work in retail too, was originally going to leave at 37 weeks but due to a long wait to move house (we moved when I was 33 weeks) I left at 35.
Glad I did, he came at 37 weeks!
Definetly did me well to keep going and carry on working.
Retail is hard but you need to do what's best for yourself and baby

upanddown83 · 11/05/2013 11:11

I'm an auxiliary nurse and I finished at 33wks took 3weeks hols then started my maternity leave and am so glad I did! I was doing 12/13hr shifts and was so tired sore and grumpy I was happy to leave I'm 38+6 at min and although some days are longer than others I've had plenty if rest time to sort out baby's room and clothing and make lists of things dp needs to do!

Gonnabmummy · 11/05/2013 12:33

I work in an extremely busy hotel and we work 45 hours a week I'm only 24+3 and very busy days eg Saturdays are already killing me we do 9/10 hours a day and you can't sit for any of it, half an hour break and that's it. This last 5 week I'm reducing hours to 25 then taking all hol leave 28 days which equates to around 6 weeks off with days off. So my mat won't start till 35/36 week I'm huge already so think that has big impact you need to do whats best for you and baby :)

Original poster

Lj8893 · 11/05/2013 12:53

I think I've decided to leave at 32 weeks which should give me 8 weeks before baby is here, which sounds long but I'm already looking around thinking I have soooooo much to do but no time to do it ready for baby so 8 weeks will give me lots of time to do all that and still give myself lots of r&r.
Being on my feet all day is already starting to do me in, my legs and feet are so sore by the end of the day and takes about an hour to stop aching when I get home so I dread to think what that will be like the bigger I get.

OP posts:

Saku · 11/05/2013 12:57

I agree with megarobotdiscoparty.. mine is also desk work.. I am 34 weeks with first DS.. and struggle to concentrate properly.. I also used to be up to date with timelines.. but now it seems small tasks become a big deal.. I have not felt brixton hicks till now.. .. dont know it is normal or not.. I am also planning to take leave on 36 week.. fingers crossed

lucybrad · 11/05/2013 15:46

I totally agree. If I had a standing or running about day job then I would quit as early as possible, I cant imagine what me feet and legs would be like working on my feet. Luckily I am desk based so am going off at 34 weeks.

Snowflakepie · 11/05/2013 18:07

With DD I left at 25 weeks, taking 4 weeks holiday then mat leave from 29 weeks. I also was in retail, with no breaks to speak of, no way to reduce hours due to my role and no option to sit down. It was horrendous. I knew I would return to a different role part time after so like you wasn't worried about after. It was a wonderful few months but I love crafting, planning, reading so kept happily busy. This time I finished at 32 weeks, but I only work 2 days a week on a different environment with more options for resting. 6 weeks hols mean leave starts at 38 weeks. If someone would take my toddler away I might actually get a break lol!

My legs swelled something rotten even with support tights and I was left with varicose veins that have become worse again this time, but there's little that can be done about it. Don't let that happen if you possibly can! Retail is a bitch when pg, I would plan early and take all your leave too. Enjoy it!

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 11/05/2013 18:10

I'm 30 weeks and a childminder, was planning to work until 37 weeks but am struggling to keep my eyes open most days lately so think I may finish at the end if may now, I have my own kids too so it's not like I'll get to rest but at least I can ask someone else to have them for an hour if I need to sleep!

ILiveInAPineappleCoveredInSnow · 11/05/2013 18:19

I am planning on working up to October half term, when I will be 38 weeks, then having my section when I am 39 weeks which is the week the kids will go back to school! Hope I can manage that long!

gloti · 11/05/2013 18:52

I'm worrying now that I might be being a bit unrealistic!
I have a desk based job with half hour train commute and flexibility .fo work from home once a week.
I am due 2nd Aug and was planning to work till mid July when I'll be around 38 weeks! Is this a bit tight? x

Portofino · 11/05/2013 18:58

I had an office job and struggled a lot after about 32 weeks, mainly because I was so u comfortable I couldn't sleep.

Excited85 · 11/05/2013 19:16

Gloti, I'm the same office based with an hour drive to work and was planning to leave at 38 weeks as have 2 weeks holiday I can use, then start mat leave at 40 weeks (only get SMP) so would rather use after baby here... Also worrying now that working to 38 weeks might be unrealistic?

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