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!

[AliceInHinterland]

I know people like to keep the leave for after the baby is born but my god those two weeks off before my first baby was born were the best weeks of my life. Yoga, swimming, napping, bliss.
It was meant to be four and I felt cheated that it was cut short.

[RNBrie]

Three dc here. First mat leave at 38 weeks and the other two at 36 weeks. It was my one hour commute that was the problem, not the office based job.

[SunnyDayDreaming101]

I'm in 2 minds what to do, I officially start mat leave 2 days before my due date but using annual leave plus the Easter holidays to finish up 18 days before due date.

I want about 3 weeks to myself before the little one gets here so banking on being late by a week or two, just hoping I don't go 2 weeks early!

I could finish up a week early but if I go 2 weeks late I don't want to be sitting about for 5 weeks when I could have that time at the end.

Crystal ball would be handy!

[Helbelle75]

I'm a teacher and was going to finish at 38 weeks, but now going to change it to 36. I'miss so tired, I don't think I'll make it to 38!

[AreWeThereYet000]

I'm leaving at 38.5 weeks, I only get so much time off at full pay before going onto SMP so I'd rather work up until as close as I can, so I can stay off longer with the baby. Also I left at 36 weeks with my first and I was so bored waiting around for the baby to arrive. I figure if I deliver before my mat leave starts, that my employer will just bring the date forward anyway so no loss x

[SunCrusHH]

I went on annual leave at 36+3 and will officially start mat leave at 39 weeks. I'm 38+1 at the moment and the last week or so I have struggled. I have had a great pregnancy but the end couple of weeks are tiring. Insomnia is the worst!

[Crazycatlady123]

I'm leaving at 36 weeks, I'm currently 34 weeks and I regret not leaving at Christmas instead of coming back.

I have an office job, 40 minute commute so nothing too bad, but my energy has gone the last week and am finding it so tough the weight is making it so much harder to get around and pelvis pain is grim too! Amazing the difference a week makes, been ok up til now.

[Barefootcontessa84]

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.

[mistletoeprickles]

With my first I was signed off at 27 weeks due to serve SPD.
I'm only 8 weeks now but with holidays we have booked I plan to finish at 29 weeks as this is when we go on holiday. I will use 5 weeks annual leave and officially start maternity leave at 34 weeks.

[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

[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?")

[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.

[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

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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!

[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!

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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!