Maternity leave 32 weeks

[Polkadotscarf]

Anyone else started/starting maternity leave at 32 weeks? I am very much debating it and just wonder if it's a bit early. Work is stressful and shattering and my body is not coping at all. Just feel a bit guilty about having 8 weeks to go.

Why do you have to feel guilty? The most you could get is a year no matter when you start! I started this time at 33 weeks. Last time it was 37 weeks and labour started on the first Wednesday of my leave. I have learned my lesson and no way I would put myself through that again. Though ofc I'm now 39 weeks and no baby yet. But it could be because I'm getting plenty of rest with the earlier start. I'm enjoying all the lazy days.

By the way it is annual leave at 33 weeks. The official maternity leave started at 37 weeks. But I assume you know you still get annual leave and should be able to use them to start earlier.

First pregnancy finished at 32 weeks (5 weeks annual leave then mat leave), this time finished at 30 weeks (6 years annual leave then mat). Finish when is right for you x

I left at 31 weeks, had a rough pregnancy and just wanted to stay at home and chill! Don't feel bad, enjoy that precious time before your life changes forever!

Of course you shouldn't feel guilty - there are lots of good reasons that you are allowed to go off that early. You just have to balance it with the knowledge that it may mean you have to go back sooner after baby is born. When I was 30 weeks I was feeling absolutely shattered and couldn't imagine going all the way to 37 as I had planned. My midwife suggested taking floridax - the iron supplement and I have to say that after two weeks I'm feeling lots better. Still physically tired but not completely wiped out all day long before. Maybe give that a go and then decide?

I left at 36 weeks but if we have another I will be leaving a couple of weeks earlier! The last few weeks were far too much of a struggle!! If your not managing then I'd just go off. Enjoy your last bit of pregnancy lying in bed and eating cake

I'm a teacher and back at work now at 37+5. Still got another week left. To be honest it's not much fun - I'm not in class next week though, so short hrs and sitting down. Being back now is harder due to it being start of the new year, isn't it?

If we could have afforded for me to stay off after July, I would have! You should go for it!

I left at 34 weeks - I work 12-hour shifts and I just couldn't cope with the back pain sitting for that long. My first 2/3 weeks were annual leave though. Worked well for me!

Is that true, Lego?? In my contract it says that if you're off sick at all within a month of the start of your mat leave, then mat leave will start automatically on your first day off sick.

I have. I am a teacher, and stopped at 31 weeks. I couldn't face any longer. The 75 min commute each way, on top of setting up a new classroom etc was too awful a thought for me. I am loving being off!

If it won't eat I to your time off to much, go for it. You will soon find things to enjoy :).

I left at 34 weeks. DS was due 30th Jan and so the combo of Christmas and new year and using up annual leave meant I was due to go back after the holidays for a whole 5 days and it just didn't seem worth it, so I finished the Friday before Christmas and it was the best decision ever! Lovely Christmas and new year with the family and spent the whole of January getting properly prepared and doing a lot of sleeping while I could!

If you can, then go for it!
I'm a teacher and 29 weeks. I am exhausted. I teach 25 hours a week and have several meetings, duties, and lunchtime obligations. I can't see myself surviving to 35 weeks when I am supposed to be on mat leave! :( I'd go off now if I could!

OP you can get signed off sick until 36 weeks if you are a teacher. I'm a teacher and our job is very physically demanding and stressful. The rules are there to protect you and if you told a doc how you are feeling they would sign you off straight away and then maternity kicks in at 36 weeks. I've been signed off since wk 22 because i was worried about the impact the stress would have on my preg. Pregnancy related absence also doesn't go on your sick record as sick leave. So definitely get signed off. Your baby is far more important than your job

I'm 37 weeks now and not finishing until 39 weeks. I feel comfortable with my decision and am coping ok. It's easier than being home!!

However, if you are finding it hard then nobody should judge you or make you feel like that's the wrong decision. If you can't manage work and feel too ill then stop. You have your health and your dc's health to consider so only do what you can. Best of luck.

...just wanted to add that i have a very high risk pregnancy and the consultants strongly advised stopping at 21wks. My school were and are extremely supportive. I think you should speak to the doc and get signed off. You shouldn't be pushing yourself

Thank you so much all of you, have been signed off for another week and I am going to speak to school today about finishing at 35 weeks xx