Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

How late did you or are you planning to leave for maternity

59 replies

Evianbaby15 · 07/07/2015 18:14

as the title says really
If you stayed/plan on staying for as long as possible what kind of job do you have?
I am only part time but spend day on my feet, not sure how late I'm going to be able to go
(Have a dc already so staying at home to relax 2 weeks beforehand is all well and good but I won't be relaxing)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sianihedgehog · 07/07/2015 21:06

Full time desk job. Will be finishing at 39 weeks. Having a few really unproductive days due to feeling like a bag of shite already, though, and I'm 35 weeks now.

LittleGreyCatwithapinkcollar · 07/07/2015 21:25

I'm a teacher and planned to work till 39 weeks at start of easter hols so mat leave would be able to start on due date but ended up going at 37 weeks (with ofsted in that week) as I was just too exhausted to do the evening and weekend work rather than day to day stuff. DD didn't arrive till 41 weeks though.

SnowWhite26 · 07/07/2015 21:50

I can work up to 45 hours a week if i have overtime in a demanding childrens nursery.Am going at 30 weeks as is so physical.figure im not going to wana go back how ever old my baby but guna have to so wana relax and prepare x

Luciferbox · 07/07/2015 22:11

Full time teacher pg with DS2 and I plan to finish next Friday when I'll be 38+6. I live and work within a 5 minute walk so that helps.

Sapat · 07/07/2015 22:21

Depends on your job and commute. I work full time with 3 hour daily commute (train and tube) and travelling associated with work. Reasonably senior position, lots of reports. In all 3 pregnancies I found 35-36 weeks was the maximum my brain and body was willing to cope with.

Poppytime · 07/07/2015 22:26

Finished at around 34 weeks last time and doing the same this time - think baby may come earlier and want some time to prepare and spend time with DD before chaos ensues! It's a v personal decision though and many women are happy working well up to their due dates and of course obviously there is the benefit of more time after the baby is born before going back to work. I'm planning on being a sahm for a few years so it isn't so much of an issue for me - although budgeting will have to start sooner!

MissMartin10 · 07/07/2015 23:12

i work in an office but im a focal point for support for my colleagues so mainly im on my feet wandering around helping people.. but intend to leave at 36weeks on Christmas eve then go back in November or December .. but then ill go back partime doing 25hrs instead of 37

SparklyPenguin · 07/07/2015 23:54

Stopped at 36 weeks- was full-time (50hrs+) in bar/restaurant management so largely on feet all day. Final two weeks was a real struggle.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/07/2015 00:04

Desk job and full time for both. Was worried I would end up sitting around at home for 4 weeks. Ha ha ha

DC1, finished at 39 weeks, labour started within 12 hrs. DC born 39+3 by emcs.
DC2, finished at 37 weeks with elcs scheduled for 39 weeks. Had unplanned vbac at 37+1. Waters broke again within 12 hrs of leaving my desk.

Sparrowlegs248 · 08/07/2015 06:55

I'm 36 + 4 and my last day will be a week on Friday so 38wks. I have what could be described as an office job, but also seeing members of the public, and doing home visits to people. Its incredibly stressful. Ibhavent done visits for a while due to the risk assessment and have done 4days last week and this week using a days leave each time. I was also signed off by GP for 3.5 weeks.

I am knackered, not helped by DH getting up at 4am and me not getting back to sleep. My feet are hugely swollen these last two weeks so don't think i would have coped being on my feet.

This last couple of weeks have been hard.

ARV1981 · 08/07/2015 07:13

My mat leave starts at 36 weeks, but I have annual leave starting at 33 weeks.

I can't wait - I only have 2.5 weeks left working.

I do have a professional diploma to study for as well though so although it's a lot of time off work, I'll be busy!!! And I feel like I need a rest. I work bloody hard and this pregnancy although not as difficult as some people have had has been emotionally draining (my twin had a stillborn baby at 32 weeks and as we're identical I have an increased risk of it happening to me too) so a break before baby comes seems appropriate for me.

I plan to use the holiday I accrue over 2016 at the end of my mat leave so won't go back for around 13 months which means childcare shouldn't be too prohibitive in terms of costs... I do have family members champing at the bit to look after baby, but don't want to be overly reliant on them as I don't think it's fair...

batfish · 08/07/2015 07:25

I only get 3 months mat leave (hopefully negotiating to 4) so I'm planning to take a week annual leave at 39 weeks and then mat leave at 40 weeks. I am not in the UK and I don't think we have the rule here about having to be on mat leave when baby arrives so if baby comes during annual leave week then should be fine. Just hope no earlier!

Cherryblossomsinspring · 08/07/2015 07:29

I work from home, self employed, and the last 2 times I worked till labour started.

FlightofFancy · 08/07/2015 07:54

I'm finishing at 37 weeks, mainly to use up annual leave but also as helps with summer holiday childcare for older DS. last time round I finished going in to the office at about 35 weeks because of Christmas break, but did a bit from home. had DS at 37+2 so felt really cheated out of my pottering around at home time. Hoping this one holds on until at least 39 weeks to get in to new school year!

Skeppers · 08/07/2015 08:44

I'm 35+3 now, have 2 weeks left at work.

It's far harder than I thought it would be; not because I'm struggling with the physical side...I'm just so BORED! I've been stupidly over-prepared and already done all my handovers; my colleague who is covering for me is already taking over my main responsibilities (and doing an admirable job!) so I have literally NOTHING to do. I'm just sitting here, twiddling my thumbs and thinking about the far more useful things I could be doing at home. This week I've resorted to watching 'Breaking Bad' on Netflix. Am half way through season 2 already...

I have another 2 weeks left of this. I think I'm going to go potty. Don't want to start mat leave earlier though as want as much time as possible off once Junior arrives, and I don't want to use up annual leave I can accrue and get paid for!

First world problems, eh?

ElleyBear13 · 08/07/2015 08:52

I'm currently 34 weeks. I've booked in six weeks of holiday (started last week) before mat leave officially starts. However I have been off on sick leave since 27 weeks (pgp) getting abit bored now as I physically can't do anything my hips are in pain if I stand for more than 10 mins....not the mat leave i had imagined!

EdgarAllenPoe · 08/07/2015 10:22

I'm planning on leaving at just over 37 weeks, as this will be mid December so I have to take Christmas to New Year as annual leave and I've tagged a couple of days on to the beginning of that so no half weeks for me. Then I'll start official mat leave on 4th January, due date is 7th. I've no idea how I'll feel (first baby) but it's a desk job with a 20 minute car commute so not physically demanding. I've got a week or two holiday I've not yet booked off, so I might tag that in front if I still have it come November. At least with an early January baby, I get Christmas off as a given. I just hope I don't go early as I'll lose those obligatory holidays with no carry-over.

heatherxo · 08/07/2015 10:47

My maternity was due to start 39+3 (this Sunday!) but I had 6 weeks annual leave to take off that I wouldn't get back if I didn't as I won't go back till after the next holiday change over..
Anyway, DS decided to arrive at 36 weeks and so maternity started from then and I'm still missing out on my annual leave haha!

CandyAppleFudge · 08/07/2015 11:10

With dd I was planning on going on maternity leave at 39 weeks but she decided to arrive at 38 weeks. With dc I'm planning on going up to 39 weeks again.

BlueBirdBlue · 08/07/2015 11:55

I'll be off from 36 weeks and using annual leave to reduce my work week to 4 days from 29 weeks. I've been struggling with 5 days a week (commuting for 2 hours doesn't help) so can't wait!

GirlsonFilm · 08/07/2015 12:01

39wks with both - both babies arrived 5 days after mat leave began. Part-time desk job, working with midwives so I decided I was pretty safe even if I went into labour

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/07/2015 14:15

*Skeppers" - update your CV and your linkedin profile. If you have to/want to look for a new job while on mat leave it's a godsend to have this done already with up to date "recent achievements" that don't include a day without being poo'd on

katemeister · 08/07/2015 14:27

Planned to start mat leave on due date, finish work at 38 weeks and use two weeks annual leave. Gave birth at 35 weeks. Fortunately I could carry those two unused weeks of annual leave over. Firsts babies aren't alway late - who knew!!?

Skeppers · 08/07/2015 14:58

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams...eh? I've got no intention of looking for a new job whilst on maternity leave; I like my current job just fine!

Skeppers · 08/07/2015 15:00

Oh, hang on, sorry I see what you're saying...yep, I suppose that would be something to occupy my time!

Flip

1 2 3