When to start maternity leave

[rubybloom2]

I have to officially inform my employer of my pregnancy in writing this week (I've already told them informally) and state when I wish to start maternity leave. The issue is, I don't know when to start!
What are you all planning to do?
I'm due on 8th Feb and quite like the idea of starting just before Christmas as otherwise I'll be working throughout, but that makes it 6 weeks before due date which seems too long. Any advice would be much appreciated.

I'm due the 10th jan and working up until 24th December so I will be 38 weeks there about. OH isn't happy that I'm working till so late and I should have all of December off so I can get ready for Christmas. I went I can easily change it if I give them a months notice. I don't want to leave any earlier but if it keeps him happy I might haha.

I had to finish up at 34weeks (was moving country so couldn't really go much later!) and I was so bored as baby didn't arrive until 41+3. That said work was hard going at that point, as I was on my feet all day, and was working 60-70hours a week.

I'm surprised you are being asked for an exact date so early, but as a PP said, I think you are legally allowed to amend the date later if you give the right notice. Anyway, I feel 36 weeks would be around the right time for me in my job, but any illness, the commute and the job itself could change that. If you are going to keep working on your own business like you say, I'd probably leave the other job at Christmas, as having your own business makes it unlikely you will get bored.

still need to write the letter but i intend on starting maternity leave at 38 weeks but am having 2 weeks holiday beforehand. I would have left it till 40 weeks but i'm not sure they will approve holiday in December (i'm due 14th dec) so thought it would be easier to start from the 1st.
Unless you have a physically demanding job then i would suggest leaving it as late as possible so you get more time off at the other end. With my first I left at 36 weeks but she was 2 weeks overdue so i ended up with 6 weeks of not doing an awful lot. i'd rather have had an extra 6 weeks at home with her especially was I only had 6months paid back then x

I'm finishing at 36 weeks as I have quite a physically demanding job. I had 4 weeks of leave to take though, so will actually start my mat leave on my due date. I would say save up your leave and use it so you can start your mat leave as late as possible, unless, as other posters have said, you have a physically demanding or particularly stressful job. Length of your commute might also come into play. You could work reduced hours or shorter weeks using your leave, which might also help you keep going a bit longer?

I finished at 32 weeks last time and loved it! Went to nct coffee mornings, swimming, prenatal yoga classes, sorted the house, batch cooked for the freezer, met friends for lunch. It was fab!

I finished at 33 weeks. Now nearly 37 weeks and not bored in the slightest. I was born in Feb and my mum finished at Xmas. I hadn't really bought anything before I went on mat leave so got lots to keep me occupied! I am not going back to work though but if I was I suppose I would worry about the amount of time I was 'losing' with baby at the other end xx

Im due mid November, and have told work i want to finish end of September. I've basically said i will review it as we get closer but im on my feet for 10 hours, full time, and starting to get varicose veins so the rest would probably do me good.

I might see if i can drop a day or 2 without it affecting my mat leave and stay longer

I would never regret finishing earlier if you are taking the full year off and /or have holiday you can add on. I have finished at 32 ish weeks both previous times and loved it - swimming, snoozing, walking and reading. It meant I could sort the house and go to aqua natal etc as I worked ft and couldn't fit it in while working.

This time I only work pt anyway in a much less physical job so plan to go to 35.5 weeks but will drop a day/week for a few weeks before to use up leave. I'm due a month before you and will be off from 7th Dec. I want to be completely sorted for Christmas and have a bit if time to myself before life is crazy again!

Meant to add - of you've got no leave and/or can not take much mat leave then I'd def work later

I'm due mid-Jan and finishing at Christmas when I'm 36 weeks. I'm taking annual leave to fill the time so mat leave will start 2 days before due date. I have a 20 mile drive each way so thinking that it will be pretty tough by that point. Also being mindful that weather may not be on my side, if I needed to go to hospital I'd rather be at home with dh working only 3 miles away.

Holiday from 36+6 - 39+2
ML from 39+3
Baby 39+5

Was about right, a good bit of resting and napping but not enough time to get bored.

I'll be 36+6 on my last day, I've had an easy pregnancy but really keen on some nesting/relaxing before the baby comes! Need to clean my cupboards and want to make some freezer meals etc, I can't wait! Hoping an early arrival won't scupper my plans!

My maternity was to start on the 12th July (lb due 16th)
I had 6 weeks of annual leave though so I left at 34 weeks.
My wee boy was born at 36 weeks so maternity obviously had to start early! Xx

I have an office job with a short commute. I had some pregnancy complications towards the end; high blood pressure, swollen feet, some bleeding but coped pretty well sitting at my desk most the day just waddling to a meeting every now and again. I worked till 39+1. Work were very good about me having lots of hospital appointments toward the end. I was admitted to hospital the morning after I finished work, was released the next day then two days later I was back there in labour; gave birth the following day at 39+6. This has worked well for me financially as I got paid for more time working pre-baby and therefore felt I could take a little extra time off after baby (8 months - wish I'd taken a year!). Also I had no time to get bored. However I had no downtime pre-birth so I was exhausted and I think that contributed to the complications I encountered giving birth and how difficult I found the sleep deprivation of have g a brand new baby. Next time I'm half tempted to do the same for the money but also half tempted to go off at 37 weeks to have a couple of weeks to relax and stock up on some sleep (even if it is in hourly increments due to tiny squashed bladder!).

I worked until 37 weeks, though my maternity leave didn't officially start until 39 weeks because of holiday.

I thought I was glad to be finishing, but I went to a week overdue and found my maternity leave totally boring, lonely and miserable. I had planned to relax a bit, but my baby turned back to back so I spent all of my time walking around and bouncing on a birthing ball.

Of course, now I look back at that last week through rose tinted glasses and it seems like it was a peaceful and lovely time.

I'm due Dec 14th and I've said in my letter I'm going on maternity leave on Dec 7th, so at 39 weeks. I have 3 and a half weeks annual leave to take before that. My last day in work will be November 11th. Obviously if I give birth prior to 39 weeks they start my maternity leave from that date and I'll probably lose my annual leave. Well we are allowed to carry over 5 days, so hope bean doesn't come before 38weeks lol!

I've only just handed in my form, your boss us asking for yours super early! I just needed to give mine in with 15 weeks notice of the due date ie 25 weeks preggo.