How many weeks were you when you finished work?

[eggsbenedict89]

Just that really...
I've worked out I will be 27 weeks and the thought of staying for another 3 months kills me!

36weeks - fell at Christmas and I had a load of leave to take.

DD arrived on 42w.

Most boring six weeks in my existence!

By the way OP; Germany and the Netherlands make women stop work at 36weeks unless an exemption is granted from the GP.

Last day at work in the Friday, my ds was born the following Monday!
He was born 6 weeks early at 34 weeks!!

I went to hospital after work and didn't leave until I had EMCS a few days later. I was 35 weeks.

With my job you also have to work until 29 weeks unless signed off sick. I thought that was standard but maybe not.

Went into labour 2 days before my leave was due to start.

34 weeks with first, 5 weeks annual leave and mat leave from 39. DS born at 40+3. Truthfully I was ridiculously bored by the end of that time. Aiming to finish at 37 this time. Could happily finish work today but want as much time off at the other side.

I stopped at 35 weeks (I'm currently 38 +4). I had been intending to work until 38 weeks but my job is very physical and I'd been on crutches due to sciatica for a few weeks - I just couldn't do it any more!

I'm happy with when I stopped, it's given me the chance to chill out and sort things before baby arrives. If I'd stopped any sooner I think I would have been a bit bored by now.

First time I planned to stop at 37 weeks but baby had other ideas and arrived at 35 weeks. Stopping at 36 this time. Please, please baby don't be early! Desperate to have a few weeks when toddler is still in nursery relaxing before the storm.

I'll be 38 if I make it that far, but I'm already on my knees so I don't know. It's only 3 weeks away I'm sure I can carry on

I'll be 39+4 when i officially start my Maternity Leave, but have saved some holiday so will actually leave the office at 37+1. I'm 33+3 now and counting down the days to be honest - but would rather have more time when she is here.

I'd planned to go on annual leave from 35 weeks (with my maternity leave starting on my due date at 40 weeks) but I was then signed off from work at 28 weeks (similarly to a couple of others I work in a very stressful environment).

Believe me, I completely get the desire to leave as soon as possible, but you'll be missing out on time with your child if you start early so personally I'd try and save it til as late as you can. Also maybe don't take what one PP said for granted about not worrying if you're not planning on going back afterwards... my employer (one of the largest employers in the UK!) have a policy that if you don't return to work for at least 12 weeks after your leave is up you then have to repay a hefty chunk of maternity pay. (I get additional maternity pay through my employer) so you might just want to check that out first! :)

Mat leave kicked in at 37, 35 & 39+4 as I had my edd as the start date with them & they all arrived early. Due to Mil passing away I'd been using holiday & comp leave for a couple of weeks already with dc2 though.

40 wks

39+5, but was able to work from home 2 days per week in the last 2 months. Not sure I'd go so late again, tbh!

37 weeks with DS, he arrived at 42 weeks. It was the longest 5 weeks ever & I was so fed up by the end of it. This time I'll be 37+5 and having elcs at 39 weeks so should have around 2 weeks. I'm 26 weeks now & cant imagine giving up work next week. I still have lots of energy & am coping fine.

Oh good point mummabubs - I've never been entitled to enhanced maternity pay so I forgot to mention that - I know a lot of public sector roles have it as a condition.

First baby finished at 36 weeks as holiday, mat leave started at 37 weeks, baby didn't bloody arrive until 40+11.

Second baby mat leave was due to start at 39+6. I work part time so my actual last working day should have been 39+1. I ended up being induced a week early so it started automatically at 38+6.

This week is my last week at work. I'll be finishing at 34 weeks and I can't wait! I've struggled through this entire pregnancy with awful vomiting and nausea and I've just had enough now.

However I'm lucky enough to have a large amount of AL left to take, which is what I'm doing. I'm not actually triggering my maternity leave until almost my due date.

35 weeks with my second DC (didn't work with the first DC) but I was having so many complications with the pregnancy that I was barely at work so decided to leave early.

Going back in a few weeks!

So the government site said the earliest I can finish is week 27 - which will be the first week of November.
I won't be returning to work so don't need to worry about ML as such - more along the lines of will I enjoy (be glad) of the time off, or will I be rattling around...
My job is great, (and great pay) but very stressful with a long drive in (1hour Ish) x

I'm aiming for 38 weeks but I'll take 2 weeks of annual leave (as it's Christmas!) so will actually stop work at 36 weeks.

Is there a reason you want to finish at 27 weeks?

@Whereland first baby, and would quite like to be at home nesting!
When I have told SIL she seemed very shocked...

How big a nest are you planning to build that you need 13 weeks to do it?
Do you plan to return to work? It doesn't really make any difference if not but if you are then it's best to have more time after the baby has arrived.

I'd be cautious as I said above. Having been signed off from 28 weeks (and also first baby) 12 weeks before bubba feels like a long time. Ideally I would like to have gone to later but also had a stressful job and over an hour commute each way. I think 5 or 6 weeks is plenty of time to nest and prepare, honestly!

@Oysterbabe haha fair point! (Nest is tiny) xx