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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Maternity leave - when to start it??

31 replies

ToonLass · 01/06/2014 13:48

Hello, just looking for a bit of advice and/or insight.

I am 18 + 5 weeks pregnant and starting to think about when to begin my maternity (I'm taking 9months).

My original plan was to work up until 2 weeks prior to my due date, all going well with my health. I've had a really good pregnancy so far, no sickness or fatigue and so I'm hoping this carries on for the remainder!

I work on a production line from 8-5 mon-fri. Although I am not expected to do any of the more labour intensive tasks anymore, I am still on my feet for the majority of the day so don't know how I would cope when I'm heavily pregnant.

What is everybody else's experience? Is 2 weeks prior to birth optimistic? How flexible should employers be if I wanted to change my dates closer to the time? I wanted most of my Mat leave at the other side of the birth hence why I wanted to leave it as late as possible to finish off at work!

Thanks

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HalfPintPickle · 01/06/2014 13:54

Do you have any annual leave you could add on to the beginning of maternity leave?

I'm finishing work at 35 weeks, but 3 weeks of that are holiday so maternity leave wont actually start until 38 weeks.

I think the tiredness and need to rest before the birth will kick in before 38 weeks to be honest, especially if you're on your feet all day.

Christelle2207 · 01/06/2014 15:26

I think it entirely depends on the person and the pregnancy. Consider taking holiday to start earlier if necessary. I planned on working until
EDD minus 2 weeks but was struggling with my back and hot weather (last July!) and ended up finishing 3 wks before. Baby was late and I had a month off in total before he came which was perfect. Play it by ear as much as you can. I know three people who went into labour within a couple of days of finishing work and felt somewhat robbed!!!

Christelle2207 · 01/06/2014 15:28

Ps my actual mat leave only started just before my EDD (was convinced I'd be late!). It's fine to plan that way but I think mat leave will just start automatically if baby arrives early.

Mitchell2 · 01/06/2014 15:29

I'm working to 39 weeks. currently 38 so only a week left! I'm only doing this because I can, my commute is easy, my hours can be flexible if I need and it's officer based. If I was in a job standing all day or rushing around I'd probably have taken it earlier.

Also check out your companies policy on leave, and when your leave year starts and ends as you may need to take all your remaining leave for the year before mat leave starts. I know people who have left at 35/36 weeks and their mat leave only started on the EDD.

ImBrian · 01/06/2014 16:02

I've said I'll go up to my due date but I want as much time off after I have baby as I'm only taking 18 weeks off.

Redling · 01/06/2014 16:41

I'm going at 34 weeks because I work on my feet in a public facing role, with children as well and I can't bear the idea of it in Juky and August. Taking leave for the first two weeks. I am possibly not going back to work though so I think were I certain I would wait a bit to get as much mat leave after. As it is I just want to stop!

Original poster

ToonLass · 01/06/2014 16:47

I was thinking of maybe taking annual leave before mat started, and the rest at the end. It's very difficult without knowing how I'll be feeling! If I take a week hols and then mat leave 2weeks prior to EDD then hopefully I'll be safe enough with that

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MrsMonkeyBear · 01/06/2014 17:08

I'm a chef and at 19 weeks I'm already feeling like it's too much on hot days like today. I also have mild SPD and being on my feet for 8 hours a day is not helping. I'm thinking I might go sooner rather than later, just so I don't mess my boss round too much. I'm thinking at 30 weeks I'll probably be at home, unless the company I work for can give me another position at the hotel, even temporarily.

Sleepyhoglet · 01/06/2014 17:52

I'm thinking of going at 37 weeks.

porsmork · 01/06/2014 18:14

I'm thinking of going at 34 weeks, and taking a full year. Not so much the job as I'm office based, but I have a minimum hour commute (train the London Underground) and I know I won't be able to face that! Also thinking of using my annual leave to go down to 4 days a week for around 8 weeks prior, so I can get a bit if a rest!

Let us know what you decide.

doodledotmum · 01/06/2014 18:49

I went to a week before with both mine. They can always make a few adjustments to help you ?

doodledotmum · 01/06/2014 18:50

If it's a first born then most are late too ! .. Although my 1st was early and. 2nd late !!

lockie1983 · 01/06/2014 18:51

I had intended to work to 39 weeks, ended up going at 37+5 because my handover had been completed and was feeling knackered. After a busy weekend I looked forward to putting my feet up for a few weeks only to go in to labour at 38 exactly.

Maternity leave starts automatically when baby comes so luckily I got my holiday at the end. Leave felt short and it was horrible going back to work but if I could have my time again I would go earlier - I feel a bit cheated out of a few weeks resting. I'd been healthy and active during pregnancy and didn't take much me time, with an active 11 month old me time is a thing of history ...

So I suppose my advice is to go as soon as you can afford to to get a week or twos rest

Casmama · 01/06/2014 19:02

I'm 34 + 5 and finishing on Friday then taking annual leave till my due date. I worked till 37 weeks with dc1 but feeling pretty tired this time so looking forward to stopping.

HungryHorace · 01/06/2014 19:44

I'll be finishing this Friday at 31+1, taking 5.5 weeks' annual leave then starting mat leave at 36+6. I should be having a 39 week ELCS, but haven't got my date yet.

I can't sit or stand that comfortably now, unless I sit more sideways, taking the weight on my thighs rather than my bum / lower back. This isn't practical at work, so I'm constantly wandering round the office to relieve my bum ache. :-/

Original poster

ToonLass · 01/06/2014 20:08

Thanks for all your replies.

I have already been moved departments when finding out I was pregnant as my job was very labour intensive, not sure what else I could do in the company as never done any office work so couldn't even help out there. I'm just praying I stay in tip too health and don't suffer from swollen ankles or a bad back...maybe wishful thinking!!!

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CuttingOutTheCrap · 01/06/2014 20:38

I'm hoping to start mine at 38 weeks, with 3 or 4 weeks annual leave before that if management will agree. I'm office based so the job should be physically fine pretty much to the end as long as i stay well, but the 1 hour plus commute is likely to be a problem as time goes on!

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 01/06/2014 20:44

I'm starting mine at 36 weeks and have ELCS booked at 38 weeks exactly. I'm also only taking 9 months off (the paid months!) I'm currently 32+4 and struggling with office-based work, especially on hot days.

SouthDerbyshireMamma · 01/06/2014 20:56

I'm working upto 38 weeks (i'm 33 weeks now) in quite a demanding role. I had underestimated how difficult it would be in later pregnancy. Im suffering with a few issues now and my midwife suggested I wad signed off until my mat leave starts. I can't imagine being stuck at home for upto 9 weeks so have bargained with my boss and will be going part time from tomorrow until im 38 weeks.

Check your works policy on changing your mat leave dates (should you need to) and also check to see if you need to use your annual leave pre mat leave

Chipandspuds · 01/06/2014 20:56

I worked up to 36 weeks with DS and by that time I don't think I could have worked any longer. I had a 9-5.30pm office job and I was so tired despite having a straightforward pregnancy. I found the last month or so I was waking up with leg cramps/needing the toilet/general insomnia and needing to make up the hours lost by having daytime naps.

I'm pregnant with dc2 and I will aim to work to 36 weeks, I work 3 days a week currently.

Minesril · 01/06/2014 20:59

I'm starting this Friday, at 36 weeks! I did think about going to 38 weeks but followed the strong advice of my mum - glad I did - I'm completely ready now!

JuniDD · 01/06/2014 21:19

I'm hoping to go around 30/32 weeks. Our mat leave/pay is ridiculously good and I hate my job!

Heatherbell1978 · 01/06/2014 21:27

I'm leaving at 35 weeks although 3 weeks hols before mat leave officially kicks in. I've had an easy pregnancy so far (29 wks now) and work in an office with an easy commute so probably could work on longer but personally I would like a bit of time to myself before baby arrives as no doubt I won't have much after he arrives!

PeteHornberger · 01/06/2014 21:34

I worked until 32 weeks with mine - the bulk of that was annual leave that I'd saved for this purpose. This was suggested to me when I was in early pregnancy and I thought I'd be really bored and wouldn't need the time off, but I consider it to be one of the best decisions I've ever made

I was knackered and huge, so it was really nice to lay-in, potter about running errands/sorting hospital bag/housework and meeting friends.

Wasn't bored at all, loved slowing my life down for a short while and I still look back on that time fondly, especially now DC2 is coming and I have a typical toddler! If you can save annual leave and stack it before your leave date, I would do so.

Original poster

ToonLass · 01/06/2014 22:14

Would people recommend I use my annual leave prior to baby arriving rather at the end of maternity? Or split it maybe? Will have 5 weeks to use.

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