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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When is everyone starting maternity leave?

45 replies

Honey456 · 16/02/2018 19:50

I was just wondering- I don’t want to leave too early but at the same time, I’m only 21 weeks currently and already finding pregnancy hard. I want to leave on a high and not be too uncomfortable/ waddling around everywhere.

Due date is 2nd July- I was considering adding some holiday in and leaving end of May.

What’s everyone’s plan? :)

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Winterfellismyhome · 16/02/2018 19:53

Due the day after you luckily i have three weeks leave from the 10th of June so ill take maternity straight after that.

Pittcuecothecookbook · 16/02/2018 19:54

I'm planning on taking it on due date with 2 weeks leave leading up to it but everyone has said to see how I feel when I get closer

FloydOnThePull · 16/02/2018 19:55

Due date 14th June. I finish on 4th May, most of that is annual leave, I only start maternity leave officially on 7th June. First baby so I've no idea whether this is a good plan or not guess I'll have to wait and see

Girlwiththearabstrap · 16/02/2018 19:59

39 weeks... I'd planned to do the same last time but baby came 5 weeks early! I'd rather have time off the other side tbh. And I'm going to be big and uncomfortable whether I'm at work or sat on my couch!

Original poster

Honey456 · 16/02/2018 19:59

That sounds like a good idea Winter :) I don’t know if end of May is too early for my due date as I can roll holiday over and spend more time with baby girl instead.

Floyd it’s my first too- it’s hard to know how you’ll cope being heavily pregnant. I’m lucky my work is quite flexible so if I needed to leave earlier than planned I don’t think it would be a problem. X

OP posts:

Sassy306 · 16/02/2018 20:03

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and today was my last day. I'm taking 39 weeks paid maternity and 6 weeks annual leave and will return to work in January :) I could have worked on as feel fine but decided to give myself some time to relax and get organised...I will probably go into labour now that ive said that lol

WineAndTiramisu · 16/02/2018 20:09

I was stopping at 35 weeks, but just added some annual leave to make it just over 33 weeks (am 31 weeks and struggling!)

RosaBaby2 · 16/02/2018 20:11

My actual mat leave starts at 37 weeks but I’m finishing at 35 weeks as I work term time only, I also have 5 weeks accrued holiday to tag on to the end.
First time round I left at 29 weeks as was really struggling!

goldenslumbers1 · 16/02/2018 20:17

I finished work at 37+5 and today is my due date (no sign of baby yet!). I was really tired and a bit overwhelmed in the last month, but now its looking like I'll be overdue, I think I made the right decision - I'm glad I kept my mind and body active as long as I could, and because I was so tired in the evenings, I slept quite well at night, which is golden in the third trimester.
This week has flown by as I've established a routine for myself, but last week felt strange - you realise that you are waiting for something you have no control over, so I did get a bit jittery on occasion, but I've settled down now and I'm enjoying this quiet time before baby arrives.
Obviously you'll do what's right for you, but just wanted to share my experience of working so late :)

NerNerNerNerBATMAN · 16/02/2018 20:32

I'm going off at 38 weeks but am considering switching this to 36 weeks as am struggling at 27 weeks!

I worked up until 39 weeks with DC1 and was climbing the walls near the end as they were two weeks late.

Am really suffering much more second time around though! Plus my commute is way worse this time

MrsMcW · 16/02/2018 20:38

My last day is 2 weeks today- I'm counting the hours! I'll be 36 weeks.

PinkAvocado · 16/02/2018 20:41

Weirdly I feel better now with weeks to go than I did with months to go.

I’m taking it as late as possible.

polkadotpixie · 16/02/2018 20:45

I hate my job so I'm planning on finishing at the end of July at 34 weeks and not going back and finding a new job for afterwards.

I was saving for IVF due to fertility issues but got a natural BFP so am in a decent position financially (for once 😂) which will enable me to do it this way

T1M2N3T4 · 16/02/2018 21:13

I start maternity leave at 35 weeks. I work term time as well so I have the 2 week easter break before that so 7 weeks off before the due date.
Having said that I'm high risk due to blood pressure so may be induced early anyway

MrsL2016 · 16/02/2018 21:28

Going off next week just before 37 weeks. 2 weeks annual leave and mat leave starts at 39 weeks. I was probably mentally and physically ready to go a week ago but trying to last so I have more time at the other side and don't have to return to work before Xmas.

Jupiter15 · 16/02/2018 21:32

I’m starting maternity leave on my due date. I have A/L I can take before if needed. I would much rather have the time with my baby than sitting around at home. Active job but I am part time.

Roseandmabelshouse · 16/02/2018 21:34

Make sure you have time to yourself to enjoy before the baby comes. Nice long baths, popping out, the day in bed, cinema trips, eating nice meals! I'm so glad I had weeks to enjoy before he baby arrived!

LRL2017 · 16/02/2018 21:35

I went at 34 weeks but I used 4 weeks annual leave and then started mat leave officially at 38 weeks. I'm glad I left then I'd had enough!

NC1990 · 16/02/2018 21:40

I finished work at 36+6, baby arrived at 38+6. I felt a little robbed of my last week of freedom although am grateful I never went overdue!

Mummyh2016 · 16/02/2018 22:37

I finished at 36+5, I remember at the time wishing I’d finished a week earlier though as I did struggle that last week. I’m in an office so nothing over strenuous.
I only got a week off before baby arrived though in the end as my waters went 8 days after I finished work!

Terramirabilis · 16/02/2018 22:39

40-41 weeks depending on when I go into labour. The joys of the USA!

Fieau · 16/02/2018 22:46

I'm finishing work a month before my due date, with a few weeks holiday to use up. I'm at 31 weeks now and counting down the days because I am getting such bad back ache I can barely make it through each day! Really need the money though so determined to stick it out.

TrashPanda · 16/02/2018 22:52

I finished on Tuesday at 36+5, taking annual leave now with mat leave starting on 5th March at 39+4 as long as no unexpected early arrival. I work 56 hours over 9 days in a fortnight in a desk based customer service role and had started to get uncomfortable on my longer days. Glad I'm done now but still got school and nursery runs everyday and lots to sort at home which has been left until I finished work.

lorisparkle · 16/02/2018 22:56

I planned to give myself two weeks at home to get organised before ds1 was born and ended up having three days! Definitely not long enough! Ds2 decided to do it the other way round and was two weeks late. I personally prefer more time after the birth but I was lucky my job had some flexibility at the end so I could be office based. Not sure if I could have worked to 38 weeks in the classroom.

harrietm87 · 17/02/2018 00:06

I'm stopping work at 38 weeks. I'm 33 weeks now and basically fed up (though I've only just left the office now having started at 9am so that has a lot to do with it!)

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