When are you going on maternity leave

[MoonlightMojitos]

So I've got a few weeks left until I need to confirm to my employer the date I want to go on leave. This is my first so I have no idea how I will feel later on and I realise everyone is different but just looking for some advice. I also know alot of people go overdue with their first and I think I'll go mad after too long at home but at the same time I'll be struggling with sleep, being uncomfortable etc by that point so don't know what to do!

It's an office job so not strenuous and sat down alot but I am assistant manager of a quite large team and it's very busy, stressful and mentally draining at times. My commute is literally 5 mins each way so that's not an issue. 36 weeks? Is this a good starting point? 38? Thanks in advance!

[LondonRoo]

I finished work at 35 weeks but also spent the first 2 weeks moving house! I actually feel better now at 38 weeks than I did the last month or so of working. I don't think I realised just how draining everything was so I am glad I am having a little time to rest and recover before baby arrives.

Good luck!

Roo

[Brussels1]

I was planning on working up until 36. I work in a pub and on my feet all day! I've got sciatica now tho and it's absolute agony I'm 28+5 and don't think I can do any more!

[Mouse510]

I'm finishing work at 38 weeks but then using up 7 days of annual leave before starting mat leave. I sit at a desk most of the day. I think if I was on my feet for work, I would be finishing much sooner - my lady bits are getting sore if I walk/stand too much!

[imisschocolate]

Finished my 1st weeks of 4 weeks annual leave before my mat leave starts. Currently 36+3 weeks. Taking whole 12 months off so get my full years entitlement to use. Have done nothing but sleep all week.

[DirtyDancing]

Finished at 37 with my first, but he was 2 weeks over due, so it was a long wait. Having said that I enjoyed pottering around, walking in the park, getting baby clothes washed and folded etc. Also saw my new NCT friends and did some yoga.

[Whatsername17]

I've just finished although my leave actually starts Monday when I'll be 38+3. I'm ready to slow down and start relaxing. I've been getting regular Braxton hicks and I'm inspired by all of these people who went into labour quite quickly! With dd I finished at 36 weeks and went a week over. I was so bored and wished I'd carried on a bit longer as I was just sat around and I was no where near ready. I didn't know that at the time though! This time my bump is so low and I feel closer to things happening. Probably just wishful thinking on my part!

[AmberEars]

I stopped working at 38 weeks, but DS was a week late so I ended up having three weeks.

[SweepTheHalls]

39, 38 and 39 weeks!

[MoonlightMojitos]

halo... Xmas has already happened?! How can you be planning to leave next Xmas?

Thanks for your input everyone. I've decided to go on actual maternity leave around 38 weeks but take 2 weeks annual leave before so will finish at 36. I also have a few odd days holiday left to take as well to have some 3 or 4 day weeks before :)

[abeandhalo]

I'm going until 36/37 weeks purely as that means my leave takes me to Xmas. But I can imagine it might be quite hard. Luckily my maternity leave cover is already in place & he's a young lad so I make him do all my running around!

[MissisBee]

I'm planning to finish at 35+ but use annual leave until my due date. I think I'd prefer to try and work a bit longer but my job is one where cover is nearly impossible to get at short notice and I don't want to leave them hanging if the baby came early

[carrotcakecupcake]

Acorncat check with your HR; we aren't usually allowed to carry leave from one financial year to the next (we have to sell back any leftover then buy extra). When I queried it, HR told me that leave can be tagged on to the end of my Maternity, despite my plans to return in the next financial year.
OP I need to check what my HR rules are about notifying...tbh they are generally pretty incompetent (a recent example being a letter congratulating me on my promotion...to the job I've been in for 18mos). My line manager is pretty laid back and happy as log as my work load is managed/ delegates to others in time!

[Oysterbabe]

I planned to finish at 37 weeks and put my feet up for a while. DD came at 35+5 and I had to email my boss and tell him my waters had broken and I wasn't coming in.

[Acorncat]

I finished at 38w first time round using annual leave, I could have done another week easy as felt great and have an easy commute and office job. This time I think I'll have to leave earlier to use up my annual leave which is a pain. I'd much rather carry it to next year and add it on to the end of my leave and finish at 38w again, but don't think I'll be allowed.

[LeSquigh]

I am planning on working right up to the minute I go into labour. Obviously that might be out of my control but I'll go as far as I can. The hospital is 1 min drive from my workplace which helps! I can only take 6 weeks off so that governs my decision!

[MissMooMoo]

Planning to finish at 36 weeks.
Its my first DC and I probably won't take the whole year off so I figure I might as well have some time to myself!

[octonuddle]

With number 1 I left at 36 weeks convinced I would go over. Baby arrived at 37 weeks so got no time to enjoy the time off! This time I am in a job I detest....I am officially requesting mat leave at 36 weeks on the basis I will likely be early again and taking 6 weeks holiday before it so technically I'll be wrapping up at 30 weeks 😁 only 20 more weeks to go!

[everdene]

I'm finishing at 35+5 (am currently 26 weeks) - can't wait!

I figure it'll be the last time I get any time to myself so I might as well make the most of it!

[SpiderAndMouse]

I'm debating this too - although much further behind (I'm a planner). With DS my maternity leave started 9 days before EDD, but I took two weeks off as holiday before. Which was good, as he arrived 9 days early.

I think I'm going to do the same this time, but maybe use 3 weeks of holiday beforehand instead. So around 35/36 weeks.

[PotteringAlong]

I am a secondary teacher - finished at 37 weeks exactly with DC 1, 39+6 with DC 2 and will finish at 38+6 with DC 3. Am currently 36 + 4 and, if I'm honest, the idea of being finished now is appealing but I will cope for the next few weeks!

[wildone81]

only 13 weeks along but already planning to finish up on 9th June, with due date being 11 July.... work all year to deliver an annual government event, that's taking place in late June.... will be no use to anybody trying to do it at 37 weeks so plan to finish up well before hand to give myself a chance to switch off before spud arrives!

[Frazzled2207]

I worked until 37 weeks first time and 36 weeks second time (was huge). Babies were several days late both times and I felt I timed it right

However I know several who went off at a similar time and had babies a few days later

[NameChange30]

I had the same dilemma and decided to start my maternity leave 2 weeks before my due date, but I asked my manager if I could use annual leave if I decided nearer the time that I wanted to finish a bit sooner. She agreed and I am just about to put my annual leave request to finish a week earlier. Because of working days, weekends etc I will be 36+3 on my last day.

I was originally worried about being bored before the baby comes but now I'm really looking forward to finishing work and having some time to myself! December was so busy and exhausting.

[NameChange30]

Barefoot
"OP you have to hand in your MAT1B/confirm the pregnancy by 25 weeks with work, but you shouldn't be pushed into telling them when you are leaving at that point (or for how long). There may be a notice period for starting your leave- but 25 weeks is very early to be definitive."

Actually you do have to tell them when you want your maternity leave to start at that point. You can change it afterwards but you have to give at least 28 days notice.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/pregnant-at-work/
(Info under "How do I give notice for maternity leave and pay?")

[user1468957349]

I'm finishing at 39 weeks (currently 35+3). I'm an L&D Manager and love my job so doesn't feel like a chore for me. Also I wanted to maximise the time I had off after the birth. Think it's a very personal choice though x