Best time to finish work for maternity leave?

[BabyBSummer15]

Hi all, I was hoping for advice from people who have previously had babies. I am trying to work out when to finish for maternity but have no idea how tired I am going to be later on in the pregnancy or how much I'm going to struggle with driving/sitting at my desk etc so was hoping for some guidance?

I'm lucky enough to work in an organisation that gives good maternity pay so overall I should be able to have a whole year off including my 6 weeks annual leave which I will save up. I work 5 days a week normal office hours. Although my job is mainly desk based so not physically demanding my commute is an hours drive each way so can be quite tiring.

I'm currently thinking of finishing at 36 weeks then taking 3 weeks annual leave, then start mat leave at 39 weeks, then I'll tag the rest of my annual leave onto the end of the mat leave.

Do you think that sounds sensible or do you think I will need to finish earlier / finish later to get more time with baby?

Thanks!

I'm currently at 35 weeks and planning to work to 39 weeks. I'm a nursery teacher so both active but also within a supportive team. I'm actually feeling quite fit and healthy at the moment although my bump is huge. People often comment that I'm planning to work too late but financially I might not be able to afford more than 6 months off work as DH is currently out of work too. If I went off too soon I'd be back before the summer holidays!

just think before your baby arrives its never going to be just you anymore. treat yourself, get your nails done ect. even thou I still get these things done i always have to rush home to look after my little one. you never know your baby might be early. good luck x

I'm 36 weeks and finish at 38-absolutely regretting not finishing sooner now.

I am finishing at 32.5 weeks and taking 6 weeks holiday before my maternity leave starts (otherwise I lose them the way my dates fall for the annual leave year) but I am quite thrilled to be able to leave so early and have some 'me' time. I am 20 weeks now and do find myself getting very tired so I do think I'll be ready to leave. I have a demanding job and has worked really hard for the same firm for 15 years and I cannot wait for the precious time off before my little one arrives :). I know I won't be bored, I have loads of things to do. Everyone is different but, for me, it has worked out well so far.

I finished work at 37 weeks - as it was my first I naively assumed I would go over my due date - I went into labour at 37+1 so ended up having half a days rest instead of the 3+ weeks I was planning! I have to say I think the fact that I had no time to rest and relax made the first 6 weeks or so with the baby really tough. Currently 13 weeks with dc2 and will definitely be finishing earlier this time!

One thing that helped last time was from about 6 months pregnant I changed my working hours from 9-5.30 with an hours lunch to 8.30-4.30 with half an hours lunch, and worked from home 2 days a week which avoided the 45 minute commute twice a day - would definitely recommend trying to sort something like that if your job allows it.

Your plan is pretty much what I did. Dd1 arrived on the first official day of ml, dd2 arrived while I was still on annual leave.

DC1 left at 36 weeks, born on due date,
DC2 left the week before (born 38 weeks)
DC3 - Hopefully will be leaving the day before (planned C-section)

I have an hour's commute but pretty much always get a seat and I work in an office so sit down all day.

I am doing the same as you (except I can only afford nine months off) with my 6 weeks annual leave - I'm finishing at 36 weeks with three weeks annual leave and then starting ML from 39 weeks. With the rest of my annual leave tagged on after ML, I start work again straight after the New Year in 2016.

I was two weeks late with my first and finished work a lot earlier (not through choice - it was a temp job). I wasn't bored but did do a lot of work decorating the house right through! This time I'm planning a reading list, craft projects, list of decorating jobs etc to take me through to my due date. Plus catnaps

If I didn't take that annual leave I would lose it, so I have nothing to gain from staying longer. Mind you I absolutely cannot wait and agree with the earlier comment that staying longer would potentially do my career more harm than good! I'm a pretty poor employee at the moment

I finished at 32w with a busy physical job. It happened to fall at Xmas which was fab!

I'm glad I did. I'm now 'nesting' and at 36w, very uncomfortable a lot of the time. I love my afternoon naps!

I'm finishing at 32 weeks and using AL until I start maternity at 38 weeks. I've also been using AL to work 3/4 day weeks along with a day from home most weeks since Christmas. I'm so ready to finish now and I'm counting down these last 3 weeks! I don't think the bad atmosphere at work and the fact I work away from home help those feelings!

I'm leaving at 38 weeks but between now and then (three weeks) I intend to reduce my hours in the office and work from home a lot of the time. Maybe taking a day off a week.

I'm going at 38 weeks- I could go at 37 as I've got 5 days of holiday floating around, but aside from being a bit tired am feeling remarkably well, so figure I may as well tough it out- all depends how you're feeling