Maternity leave - when to start it??

[ToonLass]

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

I'd use annual leave up before you start maternity leave - don't forget that whilst you are on maternity leave you will accrue holiday.

I took a couple of weeks holiday before I started maternity and at the end of my maternity leave I used up my holiday I'd accrued so I went back to work when DS was 14 months old!

Worked up until 38 weeks but with SPD I wish I'd opted to finish sooner, I also had the baby on my last day in work so no time to put my feet up and enjoy quality day time telly prior to birth!

I worked until 37 weeks with DD1 who was then 2 weeks late. Loved having some time to myself (couldn't sleep so turned into a major night owl, was up till about 5am most nights just pottering about, then went to bed until midday). It was a really hot summer too so good not to be working, went to the cinema a lot and just took it easy. Then got pregnant with DD2 while still on mat leave so didn't go back (and certainly no restful pregnancy second time around!) If you can make the most of actually doing what you want with your time, and really appreciate being able to shower/wee/get up at whatever time you want for a bit I think it's precious and you should make the most of it :)

I'm due on Friday and frantically trying to finish a project today. But I don't really count as I'm self employed and work from home about 10 hours a week so its much easier to squeeze it all in and do just another day. The company I consult for is at oxford circus and I last went 2 weeks ago to do a few things in their office as the travelling just got too much.

With this pgp and SPD I wouldn't have made it past 32 weeks if I was on my feet all day!

With DD1 I planned to work as long as I could, but my job, like yours, involved being on my feet all day and I got quite sick with hyperemesis and ended up finishing work at about 25 weeks pregnant and using all my holiday. I then had a year of maternity leave and went back to work 1 day a week when she was 11 months.

I completely loved it. Being at home, getting stuff ready, being completely relaxed and chilled out was amazing, and she was a completely relaxed and easy baby.

With DD2 I was stressed, tired, busy and she was a difficult baby!

Probably just luck of the draw but sunbathing, having lunch with my friends, reading and watching TV for 10 weeks might have had something to do with DD1's temperament!

I really appreciate everyone's advice,you all seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet and I'm glad I asked this question as it will definitely help me make a decision. Seeing the midwife tomorrow so will also ask her before I put it into writing to the boss