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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

When is best to stop for mat leave?

55 replies

artisanroast · 09/07/2015 18:32

I was planning to stop for mat leave 10 days before my due date, however I am now starting to think maybe it should be earlier?!?!

I am reducing my hours in the three weeks before. So 3 days, then 2 days and finally one day.

When is everyone else stopping?

Any advice?

Thanks

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LauraChant · 10/07/2015 13:54

I stopped at 38 weeks with DS1 as I wanted as long as possible with him once he was born and that way I got to go back to work just after his first birthday, with accrued leave added on the end of mat leave.

With DS2 I stopped at about 34 weeks because I knew it was unlikely I was going back so I didn't need to think ahead, I wanted to spend some time with/ potty train DS1 before DS2 was born. That time was very happy, obviously I love DS2 to bits but I will always treasure the weeks I had with DS1 before he was born, especially as I went back to work fulltime when DS1 was one.

Ummusomebody · 10/07/2015 14:47

Annual leave at 35 and maternity at 37. It was overdue for me though as I was shattered ( still am) .

HamishBamish · 10/07/2015 18:04

It definitely depends on what your job and commute is like. The first time I planned on stopping at 38 weeks, but DS1 arrived 3 weeks early so I had no time off beforehand. The second time I worked up until my due date and DS2 arrived right on schedule.

However, I didn't have a massive commute the first time and the second time I was working from home. If I had had a physical job or a long commute I would probably have stopped earlier.

Topsyloulou · 10/07/2015 20:23

I stopped work at 37 weeks. DS was two weeks late so I had 5 weeks at home & it drove me mad. I wish I'd stayed at work longer & had more time with him. I have an office based job with a 40 minute drive each way & the odd day in London. I stopped the London trips about 32 weeks & made them come to me instead! I was grateful of the air conditioning at work as it was so hot last summer.

ladydolly · 10/07/2015 20:54

I stopped at 38w but did half days for the last week. Dd was born at 42+1 so I had lots of time off but I needed it, I was exhausted. My job is desk based but stressful and in my 35th week I did 74 hours and that kind of finished me off. Next time I'll finish at 36 weeks at least.

Looserella · 10/07/2015 21:04

Planned to finish at 38 weeks, actually finished at 37 due to waters breaking

Maya15 · 10/07/2015 21:26

I stopped at 36 weeks. It was much harder than I thought. I could have worked for longer from home but the commute killed me (bus-train-tube-walk). I got a first class upgrade from the train company which helped a lot but changing to tube and walking from tube station to work was hard.
I also worked from home most days towards the end. I would say it probably depends on your commute (how likely you get a seat!) and how stressful your job is.
I was shattered when I stopped working and did absolutely nothing for the first week off. I had all these great plans of reading, nesting, tidying up, preparing nursery but all I could do was sleeping!

camtt · 10/07/2015 22:04

with DS1 I stopped at 36 weeks. it was a heat wave and I was both bored and uncomfortable, not at all like a holiday as I had naively expected. He arrived 10 days early. With DD I also stopped at 36 weeks. She arrived 3 days late, I wasn't bored, what with the toddler, but the constant waiting got on my nerves. With DS2 I decided to stop at 39 weeks, and DS2 arrived at 38 - so no time to be either bored or irrupted (except with the new carpet, which was late...)

camtt · 10/07/2015 22:05

irritated that is!

Becauseicannes · 11/07/2015 03:08

Stopped at 38 weeks, 5 days before baby :)

angelicjen · 11/07/2015 07:00

I finished yesterday at 36+5. I'm a teacher. The last week was really tough and I'm do happy to be off Next time I will go a week earlier.

theaveragebear1983 · 11/07/2015 07:12

I'm leaving at 29 weeks, taking 2 weeks Annual leave and then having about 7 weeks to spend time with the kids and get everything ready as I haven't so much as washed a babygro yet before baby arrives. I'm having a c-section at 38 weeks so it means I want to get everything ready as we already have 2 kids, both of whom are starting new schools in September, plus want to have some time over the holidays etc. I know I'm going early, but I'm really looking forward to it; each of my previous pregnancies I've ended up being signed off and missing the last few weeks anyway. I'll get 12 months plus my annual leave for that time, so I'll end up having about 14 months off.

slightlyconfused85 · 11/07/2015 07:15

I worked to 38 weeks with my first which was fine as i could actually relax in my spare time! With number 2 i planned to do the same but only got to 36+6, was exhausted of commuting us todder and pregnancy!

DoctorDonnaNoble · 11/07/2015 07:22

I'm planning on getting to 39 weeks. That will enable me to have the two staff INSET days and the first week back of new school year. Important this year due to new head starting. However, I've only got to get to 31 +4 before the summer holidays. And for the teaching week I'm there I'm off timetable seeing my form to talk UCAS applications so I won't be 'teaching' really. I will go back at the end of Summer 2016. Timetables were out yesterday. Didn't get one - was strange.

Daffodil1210 · 11/07/2015 07:37

I stopped at 38 weeks and DS decided to arrive the next day... And there was me hoping for some relaxing time off before he arrived...

HazleNutt · 11/07/2015 07:46

It really depends on your job, commute, weather and of course how you feel. I have a desk job, short commute, and felt fine. So with DC1, I stayed home from 40 weeks, as it was in the middle of a heat wave and at least at home I could be in my bikini. He was a week late - worked from home, but was still bored to tears.

With DC2, finished at 38 weeks when I started having contractions at my desk and was time to go to the hospital

contractor6 · 11/07/2015 09:06

Finished at 29 weeks, had busy stressful job and not a.minute to enjoy pregnancy, having a much better 3rd trimester, than second or first trimester.

YUDOTHIS · 11/07/2015 10:50

I worked until I gave birth, quite literally, with DD. I went into labor on my lunch break at 39wk 6 days. However my reasons were purely financial and I went back to work when DD was less than 2 months old (She was 5 weeks i believe) so I wouldn't really be in the position to advise when anyone leaves or goes back to work!

minipie · 11/07/2015 19:59

Planned to work to 38 weeks with DD1. She arrived at 34 weeks.

With DD2, I cut down gradually as you are planning to. Thank goodness I did - my last day was 36+5 and she arrived the following morning.

I think cutting down gradually is a great idea (better than working full time then stopping altogether) if your work will tolerate it.

Ashbeeee · 12/07/2015 06:40

With DD1, finished on Friday, moved house Saturday, had her Sunday (she was early). I wouldn't recommend it!

dillydollydarling · 12/07/2015 15:14

Originally planned to stop at 37 weeks. Then decided that maybe it was best to leave at 36 weeks. I'm now 33 weeks, had the last week off on holiday, and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to cope at work. Being on my feet for 8 hours is absolute agony and there isn't a whole lot that I can do sat down. Think I may end up leaving at 34 weeks!!

parapluiepliant · 12/07/2015 16:27

I wonder if age has anything to do with it? I'm 41 (fit/healthy) but feel absolutely knackered. I'm 33 weeks today - This is my 3rd baby and I'm sure 6 years ago with second, I wasn't this tired.

Was planning to stop at 36 weeks (mat leave on due date plus holiday taken beforehand) but am going to finish at 35 weeks I think as I'm spent and just want to batch cook and fold baby clothes now.

Difficult as I have responsibility and a handover to organise but can't get my brain in gear

ShadowFire · 12/07/2015 16:36

It depends entirely on how your pregnancy's going, and how strenuous your job and commute are.

DS1, I stopped work at 33 weeks, planning to get all the baby stuff sorted before the due date. DS1 had different ideas, and was born a week later at 34 weeks.

DS2, I think I stopped work around 34 weeks in case he was early too, and he was born at 37 weeks.

absterfabster21 · 12/07/2015 23:09

I stopped at 38 but wish I had stopped at 36. Music teacher so very active job and I was fit but the commute to work plus on feet all day meant I was a swollen mess who went to bed at 7pm!

worriedmum100 · 13/07/2015 07:45

I'm 30 weeks and planning to stop at 35 followed by 5 weeks holiday and mat leave starting on due date. DS1 starts school in September but is in pre school until the end of August so wanted to take advantage of some time to myself to sort things out and then settle him into school before DS2 makes his appearance.

I have a desk job but it's quite demanding and stressful plus a 90 minute commute each way. I'm already mentally done to be honest and have a weeks leave booked in July as well and when I get back from that I will wind down and work from home more.

I stopped at 35 weeks with DS1 too. I was 5 years younger but worked full time with a horrid commute involving a train and two tubes. This time round I'm nearly 40 and heavily pregnant in the summer months. But I have a better commute now and only work 3 days a week so it's all evened itself out to equal 35 weeks again!

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