How many weeks before your due date did you go on maternity leave?

[PerrieGrey]

Just curious really how far in to your pregnancy you all worked... new to all this pregnancy business so not sure what the norm is! I'm only 4 weeks so very early days. I've had to tell my workplace early because I've been quite sick and my manager was concerned about me. Just wondering how far in to pregnancy other people worked. Thanks in advance!

It's different for everyone really. I imagine it depends on how you're feeling and your job/commute. From threads on here most people seem to leave around a month? Personally I like to have time with the baby over time sitting around waiting. Last time id planned to leave at 39 weeks but ended up having my baby just before 35 weeks. This time I'm planning 39 weeks again. Well see what happens! May end up bringing it forward to 38 weeks if I need to.

I'm planning 39 weeks, but am aware I may need to change that if I start feeling worse or the baby comes early (currently 31 weeks). First time I worked until 38 weeks and my daughter wasn't born until 41+1, I was so bored! Hence trying to work a bit later this time.

I'm planning 37 weeks but will see how I feel

Finished at 35 weeks last time (had been ill all way through). Currently 26 weeks and was planning to make it to 38 weeks this time - however right at this moment suffering with an awful cough and just knackered, my resolve is wavering and I’m tempted to bring it forward a bit!

I'm having elcs at 36 weeks so going off at 35 weeks.

Before I knew it was twins my plan was to go off at 40 weeks as first babies are late so often.

I work in a children’s day nursery so it’s in my contract that I have to leave at 36 weeks. Planning on taking 3 weeks of holiday though at the start so my mat leave won’t start until 39 weeks

Finished work at 35 weeks. DD decided to appear three days later...

Planning to go at 38 weeks. 35 weeks now and can't wait! First baby so kind of expecting it to be late, especially as I'm pretty sure my due date is 5 days too early.

4 days

39 weeks.

37 weeks, finished on Friday, baby born Tuesday. Should really have finished at 34 weeks with hindsight, it was taking too much out of me.

First time I planned 38 weeks but baby came at 36. I really regretted not having any time to relax and prepare so I'm going at 36 weeks this time.

It depends on your job really. I think most people finish between 36-39 weeks.

My job is very physical so I finished at 32 weeks. I'm two weeks in to my mat leave and not regretting it one bit. I hadn't bought any baby stuff and hadn't started the nursery so I've got plenty to get on with.

I finished at 38 weeks. Went into labour on my last day, at work- DS was born the next morning. I wouldn’t recommend that!

My maternity leave starts at 39 weeks but I'm using annual leave for three weeks prior to that so my last day is when I'll be 36 weeks. I've also used a day a week since the start of February to break up the working week a bit. If you have the holiday allowance and your employer is happy for you to do this I would highly recommend it, I'm getting more tired as the weeks progress (currently 32 + 2) and the thought of a little lie in and an afternoon nap on my midweek day off is getting me through! Congratulations

A week before each time x

First time I finished at 38 weeks, but was exhausted and should have stopped a fortnight earlier.

Last time finished at 40+1 because I felt great and it fitted in well with the end of a period.

Have a plan, but be ready to change if necessary.

I left at 34 weeks, as it coincided with the end of term (teaching), and I had twins so could barely move by then.

Literally just finished about half an hour ago at 35 weeks it’s my 3rd baby, I’m a nurse and I have pre-eclampsia so it was well and truly time to finish.

I’m having an elcs at 37 weeks so finishing at 35 and a half weeks. Remember you could go up to 2 weeks overdue so have a lot of time to fill!

Finished at 37 weeks. Was planning on finishing a week later but was quite unwell & had a reduced movement scare so decided to relax. I know a lot of people get bored of waiting on baby arriving but I really enjoyed my 3 weeks before dd was born. I went for lunches, caught up with sleep/housework etc 😊

I finished at 37 weeks, DD was born at 38+6. Lots of first babies are late but plenty are early too! I'm so glad I had 2 weeks of 'me' time as I can promise you, you don't get much of that when you're a mum!

I left 3 weeks before due date. I had holiday to use up so used that then maternity started on my due date. My daughter arrived 2 weeks early! So I only had one week off to rest! 😂

Week 38. I was so ready as work was incredibly stressful. Had it not been so stressful I might have held out for longer.

I’m leaving at 35 weeks (end of term for Easter) but mat leave officially starts when 37 weeks. I was 2 weeks late with my first DC but my job is quite hands on and I just can’t be bothered, wish I was finished now!