When are you starting your maternity leave?

[Pyjamaramadrama]

I'm 30 weeks and planning to start mine in 8 weeks.

A few people are saying I'm mad and I'll never last, but I really want the time afterwards.

I am leaving work at 32 + 3. I am taking 6 weeks of annual leave and then starting my maternity leave on 1st June. Due date 9th June. I am 30 weeks today so just over 2 weeks to go and can't wait. I have a stressful job and feel completely knackered all of a sudden and I am looking forward to some time off before the baby arrives. As it happens, I didn't have a choice as I am unable to carry my annual leave over until the end of maternity leave, but it has ended up suiting me perfectly.

I am leaving work at 35 weeks, have a couple of weeks annual leave to take and then maternity leave starts on 1st June, due date is the 20th June.
My job is really stressful, and I am finding myself getting more emotional than I should in situations that wouldn't normally bother me so I am looking forward to it already, 7ish weeks left!

I only get 3 months (not in the UK) so I'll probably work until I go into labour! Just hoping I can and don't feel like crap towards the end. I've had a very easy early pregnancy so I hope I'm not in for it at the end!

I'm going on maternity leave at 38 weeks but using up a few days' holiday first so my last day will be at 37+2. I can't wait! 35 weeks today and even though I've had an easy pregnancy, touch wood, I'm pretty tired now and ready to stop.

Originally planned to take annual leave from 34 weeks for 5 weeks and then mat leave from due date. (June 5th)
However I've been absolutely crippled with SPD and sciatica and have been signed off since 24 weeks, (am 30w now) so am moving annual leave forward to start from 31 weeks, so starting ML a bit earlier. Not what I'd planned and disappointed I couldn't manage longer, as I wanted the time after too, but I think your body will tell you when you need to stop. I don't feel bad about it at all. (Although thought I'd be okay to go back after a couple of weeks, oh how wrong I was!)
As for being bored, I've been off for nearly 6 weeks and in spite of having quite limited mobility, I've managed to keep myself happily occupied and am not climbing the walls just yet. It's been really nice not to have to battle a long commute, 10 hours at a desk and being able to nap when I feel I need it, rather than forcing myself through a work day.

My plan is to go to 38 weeks. I'm a teacher (mainly of GCSE/A-level) students so the next half term is madly busy but I just wanted to maximise time the other end. I figured that if I really can't cope then I can start it earlier.

Day before my c-section. Living life on the edge!

I'm working till 38 weeks and did with first also. If it comes early, it comes early and mat pay etc just kicks in from there.

I much prefer having the time after and my company pays for all hols accrued in the year, so the big pay check in the first month back to work was really helpful!

My actual mat leave is going to start at 39 weeks (the same week I have my ELCS hopefully!) but I'm leaving work at 35 weeks and using up annual leave.

For my first baby I left at 37/38 weeks and it was fine. DS arrived at 40+3 so it was the perfect amount of time.

But I've got a toddler now so just feel more physically tired, hence finishing a bit earlier.

Ds1 38 wks
Dc now.. Prob 32 weeks though a couple of weeks hol first- ds starts school so seems pointless battling school run juggle with wrap around childcare when I cab finish early enough to sort it

My maternity leave starts 5 days before my due date (first pregnancy, am I mad?) haha. Although I do have 6 weeks of annual leave I could take off before hand which sounds kinda tempting!

I finished yesterday at 37+2, and now taking annual leave up to my due date. I was very happy to finish. Did similar for my first too.