When are you or did you go on maternity leave?

[AlmondFrangipani]

And did you feel it was the right amount of time off before? Straw pole...

My last day was 35+4 and i knew if have LO no later than 38 weeks. Two weeks off was fine for me, longer would have seemed a waste, but on the other hand I think that working beyond 36 weeks would have been really hard!

I went at 29 weeks as was really struggling with tierdness and spd.

I'm planning to leave at bang on 37 weeks... I have an office based job, commute is 40 min train + 10 min walk with flexibility to work from home once a week so I hope I haven't left it too late!

I'm planning to finish at 35+3 but then have a weeks holiday so officially start mat leave at 36+6.

I have early onset pgp though so may go a couple of weeks early if I'm struggling.

This is my first so no past experiences.

I will be 30 weeks due to holidays. I would probably work longer but I am feeling great but not in third trimester yet.

Used 2 weeks holiday at 37 weeks and was induced at 39, so maternity leave started on the day he was born. 2 weeks off was perfect for me but I work in a very sedentary job, even so rib flare and a long commute made the last month hell.

I used all my holidays and went at 28 weeks as my job isn't really suitable for being pregnant, would have been signed off anyway with spd. Am 31 weeks now and bored as I have to spend most of my time sitting or lying in bed as can't walk or moved arms. The commute alone to work would have killed me.

I'm going to try and work until 37-38 weeks. My job is office based and a 5 minute drive from my house and I'm really hoping I can manage it. It's baby number 3. My other 2 were both late so I'm expecting more of the same

I stopped at 38wks, one week of which was AL and one ML. I have a short drive to work and sit at a desk, however I work shifts so sometimes would be at work.til 11pm or starting at 7.30.

I had to spend the last month training my replacement and I just felt yack the whole time - all that extra thinking and talking when honestly I just wanted to come in, do my job andleave.

I'm planning to go about 34 weeks, 3 wks annual leave I need to take or lose then 3 weeks ml, but I might need elcs which I think would be a bit earlier than dd, so in that case would have about 4 weeks before baby arrives. it feels like a long time in advance but I think I'll appreciate being able to relax and visit friends etc, and nest before dd.

I'm leaving at 35 weeks. I'm a healthcare assistant so my job involves manoeuvring people/ working with equipment (hoists & stand aids) as well as the emotional stress that comes from my job. Thought I would only make it to 30-32 weeks now 34 so I've done pretty well. I don't get holiday so will all be MAT leave unfortunately

38 weeks for me. If I had know DS was going to be 12 days late I would have worked until my due date.

I finished at 36 weeks. I had a stressful job which involved a lot of driving. I was exhausted by the end and honestly don't think I could have carried on any longer. I am now 38 weeks, everything ready and twiddling thumbs though! Swings and roundabouts!

I've put in to go on leave on my due date but I've just remembered I'm down for sweeps from 38 weeks. hmmmm. might have to change that then!

38 weeks. Then a weeks annual leave so ML started at 39 weeks. DC2 and being at work was easier than being at home and heavily pregnant with a toddler!

38.5. Short commute, sedentary job. It was fine.

I live overseas where maternity leave is 45 days. It is very common for women to go into labour in the office. I'll be working up until the very last minute.

Thanks for the replies! I'm planning on taking 1 week A/L from 35+3 then start mat leave. I'm under consultant care and the whole way they have said the baby 'could' be induced early. But things are going well so Sod's law it will be late and I'd used lots of mat leave...hard one to call!!

I went at 35 weeks with DS1 as we were moving and was very ready for baby at 40+5. 38 weeks (annual leave though until due date) with Ds2, which was fine but I only worked 3 days a week from home so no commute etc. Planned 38 weeks with dd but waters broke at 35+5 and she was born at 36 exactly so that didn't happen!

I'm nearly 33 weeks and have 2 weeks left at work. First week will be annual leave so officially off at 36. Feeling pretty good now and half wish I had decided to stay longer.

Last pregnancy was a totally different story. Horrible job and horrible pregnancy. Signed off work at 32 weeks. DD arrived at 42 weeks so was going a bit crazy by the end.

With dd I went at 36wk and she arrived at 38. With this one I'm going at 34 as having horrible pregnancy and far too much to contemplate even without work. Hoping he's going to be on time or early would be better !!

I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and planning to work til due date (well, unless the baby comes earlier, of course). But I've had a very easy pregnancy.

DS1 - 38 weeks - was shattered and wished I'd finished earlier.

DS2 - 37 weeks - he came a week later.

This baby - stopping work at 37 weeks plus 1 day - suspect this baby may be more like DS1 (who was born at 42 weeks) than DS2.

37 weeks for both DS1 and DS2. Both boys arrived 2 - 3 days after I finished.

This time I've finishing between 35 and 36 weeks, but I work freelance, so I need to get everything tied up before I finish.

Went at at around 37 weeks with dc1 and planning on around the same with this pregnancy.