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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Starting Mat Leave

13 replies

dm86 · 05/08/2014 04:10

I've still got a while to go yet but has anyone else ever started mat leave on or after due date.

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I've always had fairly easy pregnancies (touch wood lol) if this one is the same I'm thinking of not finishing work till my due date or maybe the week after? I'm just office based so nothing strenuous!

I've been induced both times previously at 42 weeks so I suppose I'm expecting that to happen again!

Just any thoughts would be good

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notoasthere · 05/08/2014 06:04

I think you have to finish by your due date. And chances are if you plan to work v late, this baby will come early! Why not finish at 38ish and enjoy a quieter few weeks/preparation time (batch cooking etc)?

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 05/08/2014 06:08

I actually think you have to start your mat leave a week before your due date, my company you have to and they usually go by standard rules. In my case I had to have used my holiday by this point too so mat leave started at 39 weeks and with 3 weeks holiday left I went at 36.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/08/2014 06:10

My work told me I could work after my due date, until the baby is born. But my first was born at 37 weeks so I am taking it from that week. So yes it should be possible.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 05/08/2014 06:11

And yes to annual leave too. That's why I'm off from 33 weeks since I have 4 weeks holiday left.

Waggamamma · 05/08/2014 08:33

Work itself was fine for me but I really started to struggle with commuting. If you live close to work it might be doable.

it's nice to have some free time beforehand to prepare and relax though.

Groovester · 05/08/2014 09:24

I planned to work til my due date with dc1(I'm a teacher and it coincided with end of term plus 2 week oct break.) in the end, my feet and hands swelled up and I was so tired, I had to finish a week before the term ended. Just as well because baby came early and I had him on what would've been my last day of work!

GailLondon · 05/08/2014 10:09

If you've felt absolutely fine at 40 weeks both times before, then that's a good sign, though obviously not a guarantee that it will be the same again!
Worth checking the official wording of your maternity leave policy. Mine says that if you wish to continue working past 36 weeks, you may be asked for a midwife letter stating you are fit to work. And if you have a pregnancy-related sick day past 36 weeks, then maternity leave will automatically start on that day. Otherwise you are OK to work as long as you want up until the actual birth date!
Good luck with your pregnancy!

WiggleGinger · 05/08/2014 10:14

Most work places allow you to officially work until your due date. (Whether that's in the office or using holiday) I doubt many would be keen on you going over & being in work. Plus perhaps with two DC already you might want to work to your due date & then take a weeks rest?
Ask your HR manager what their policy is & go from there

Buffy81 · 05/08/2014 11:48

With my place could work, you can work up to the week of your due date. after that, you have to start mat leave. for example, if you due date happened to fall on a wednesday, your mat leave will start on the sunday before that. also if you have any annual leave to use, then its best to use that so that you dont loose it. with me, i had 5 weeks to use, so i left when i was 33wks. i am 38+3 so not long to go now

mssleepyhead · 05/08/2014 12:59

Impressive! I was just thinking how glad I am to not be at work now, at 37 weeks and having had just 4 hours sleep last night... Check your company policy but I'm a teacher so am on school holidays and don't officially start my maternity leave until two days after baby's due date (he's due on the Saturday before the August bank holiday). So it is possible to go over, I think. Although the school holidays might make me a special case.

Original poster

dm86 · 05/08/2014 22:49

Thanks everyone I'll check with my work and see what they say about it.

I had really good easy pregnancies although this one could be completely different lol.

I just live two minutes from work do no commuting. I'd rather have more time when babies here rather than wasting time before. I'll have my years holiday entitlement to take before I start maternity too

I'll check with work and see how I go! I can't imagine me going early as my other dc didn't budge till induction lol!
Thanks

OP posts:

Jakeyblueblue · 05/08/2014 23:35

I'm officially start mat leave day before baby is due but am taking three weeks leave in the run up.

Acorncat · 06/08/2014 18:32

I've already asked my work if I can work an extra week, which will be 38w, and carry the holidays till next year. My maternity is starting on my due date and just using annual leave before that. I'm almost 36w now and managing fine so would really like to work as late as possible. I also just work at a desk so not strenuous at all.

Maybe I'll feel differently in a week!

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