When did you take mat leave?

[Elephantslovetofly]

Hi all, I am currently 12 weeks pregnant (first baby), due date early May. I am due to start a new job (rotation) at the beginning of April, when I will be 35+5, and am not sure whether to start this job for 2-3 weeks and then go on mat leave, or just start mat leave when the previous job finishes

Financially it won't make any difference

I am wondering when you all started mat leave - do you think 35+5 is too early? I will be having 6 months off work in total, so not sure what to do. It would be nice to make a clean break, although I am aware I could be a home for 6 weeks before baby arrives! This would then shorten time off after baby arrives

I finished at 36 weeks and went 8 days over due, I was glad to finish as I was exhausted. I enjoyed the rest and getting the house ready. I took 9 month off altogether.

I'm starting mine officially at 37 weeks; however due to when Christmas falls I'll be actually finishing at 35 weeks, when the Christmas break start. I'm a teacher so am on my feet most of the day, I'm already struggling with my hips hurting at 27 weeks when I overdo it, so imagine that I will be VERY ready to go by 35 weeks!!

I'm a nurse and 12.5 hour shifts with couple hours travelling each day meant I ended up finishing at about 32 weeks (took annual leave then mat leave started 35 weeks). I had spd and morning sickness throughout so felt pretty awful and really could not have worked any longer as wasn't giving best care to patients and making myself ill/ sore.

Ended up being induced at 35 weeks so didn't spend too long sitting about waiting for baby as it happens. I'd do the same again in future pregnancy if feeling that way. I always planned to finish at 35 weeks and it was really only those with office jobs that were surprised at how "early" I was starting mat leave.

I broke up at 37 weeks. I was 10 days over so I had nearly 5 weeks sitting about. However for mine and babies health it was the best thing as my job could be very demand in and stressful.

I saved all my holiday so am going part time from next week (2days a week) until my maternity leave starts. I am currently 30+4, I will be 37 weeks when my leave starts but is just before Xmas so will fill the time I am sure

I was determined to take mat leave as late as I could around 38-40 weeks, to get the max out of maternity leave with baby. Ds put a stop to that and came at 34+1 although I still got the most maternity leave I could with him so it worked out OK.

I do wish I had a couple of weeks off before hand just to put my feet up and relax but hey ho that's life.

First time I finished at 38w, 10 days before birth it turned out. (Desk job, no commute). I slogged through but really struggled after 36w.

This time (same job, long commute, toddler at home) I'm finishing at 35w and it can't come soon enough. DS will help alleviate pre-delivery boredom!

I'm finishing at 38 weeks and taking annual leave until my due date. Would have finished a week earlier but it's February half term so already too many people off! I've spread the rest of my leave over the two weeks before instead so I end up working mornings only from 36 weeks which will be lovely!

I finish tomorrow (yay!) at 39 weeks. With a week of holiday before due date.
Last time DD was 2 weeks late so I was stir crazy in waiting mode for a month. It's been tough keeping going but I'd prefer the time at the other end , with baby.

I think you mentally set yourself up to leave whenever you go. So I would be feeling just as ready for mat leave if I'd started it 3 weeks ago because that would have been the target end date I'd set in my head.
Hard to start something new at 36 weeks though.

I'll be 34 weeks. I commute over an hour each way by public transport and work in a prison! Not ideal for something to happen either at work or on the train. I'm taking 9 months (not including leave) so get a decent break and baby will be spending 3 months with my boyfriend when I go back to work, so will have a good chunk at home with us. Plus I'm already bloody huge at 24 weeks and need a break!

I'll be 34 weeks (have nearly decided!). I'm a nurse in operating theatres and am on my feet all day with a long commute, so I think I'll be ready by then. I'm hoping to use a couple of weeks leave and then officially start at 36 weeks. Planning to take about 10/11 months off but we will see how the money is going. Most at my work seem to go off between 32 and 34 weeks, very few carry on beyond that - hats off to those who can manage it!

In my first pregnancy I had SPD and a bad back so was signed off from about 24 weeks - now that was boring! DS2 was born at 34 weeks so that's another reason not to carry on too long - definitely don't want any colleagues delivering the baby!

Last time I worked to 38 weeks and had a c section at 39 weeks and wished I had taken longer off beforehand as was totally exhausted after the op with round the clock breastfeeding.

This time I will probably start mat leave at 36 weeks.

Thanks for all your replies, it seems there's no easy answer!

Yes I am junior doc - the job I will be starting technically around 36 weeks is easier going than the previous job (more sitting, less walking around all day etc) - but is likely to be long hours with a high number of patients to see per day (GP post). I guess i have a bit of time to think about it!

I'm a nurse too I've always started my mat leaves on my due date with a couple of wks annual leave luckily have always been well in pregnancy and I only work part time so this has worked well for me. If your only having 6 months off then I would try and work as long as you can so you can have longer at the other end and as you say the job is not ward based might be a bit easier by that point - also I'm sure that by that point in pregnancy your colleagues will be looking after you even if your new to the team! Is it a different trust? If so you'll pass a mundane week on in the trust induction days!

I started mat leave at 38 + 2 (Monday) and had else at 38 + 6 (Friday).

I had however had a month off sick, returned to work for 3 weeks then started mat leave.

I started mat leave at 38 + 2 (Monday) and had else at 38 + 6 (Friday).

I had however had a month off sick, returned to work for 3 weeks then started mat leave.

etak my other plan was to use leave each week in the new year and carry on part time for longer as I think that would be more manageable. It's the hour commute each way that's the killer really. No idea if Sister is going to go for that though.

OP I think if your new rotation is more sitting/clinic based I'd be inclined to start it and keep working as long as you can so as to get more time after the baby arrives, you can always change plans if you need to.

Word of warning to junior docs changing jobs just after mat leave is that it can get very confusing with who pays you maternity pay. I have a colleague who changed rotations 3 weeks before mat leave... Old and new trusts refused responsibility for paying mat leave and the deanery acknowledged they shouldn't have rotated her but said she just needed to speak to the BMA. It was much more stressful than it should have been.

I mean changing jobs just before maternity leave, not after. Oops.