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!

With both my previous pregnancies I had loads of overtime to take, so ended up finishing at 34 weeks and starting maternity leave at 39 weeks, but in all honesty I should have gone off sick much earlier second time round as I was almost crippled with SPD. This time I'm aiming for 36 weeks (will be having a c-section at 38) but to be honest, anything beyond 30 will be a bonus if SPD rears it's ugly head again! I'm on my feet all day and it can really take it out of you, especially over the summer.

I didn’t really as he was premature so I was working the day before. I actually liked this as had maximum time then with him. This time I’m due to start mat leave the day before due date.

I wasn't going back so literally went the first day I could. Spent months watching box sets and waddling round the park. Bliss. Glad I did because I had 18months of no sleep.

First time I worked till day before my due date, she was 2 weeks late and I was so bored!
Second time I stopped 2 days before my planned section at 40 weeks and was perfect.
I worked from home a lot the 2nd time as I had SPD. Both were pretty terrible pregnancies but I found working keeps me sane!

I left at 37 weeks which was the right thing for me as tiredness hit again, my SPD pain was getting the better of me and work was a stressful environment.

I finished at 37 weeks. If there’s a next time, I think I’d finish at 33/34 weeks if I can. I was DONE.

CS booked for 39+1, last day at work 37+3.

I am 25 weeks with my first so this is all hypothetical but I am planning to leave when I'm 37 weeks, the first three weeks will be annual leave though. If I'm struggling may shift everything back and leave a week or two earlier. I work a desk job and only have a 15 minute walk to work though so nothing physically demanding. I love people saying they'd get bored, I'd love a few weeks off work, I deffo wouldn't be bored!

I left at 36 weeks had DD at 38 weeks

DC1 I planned on 39 weeks but ended up induced at 35 weeks so I was working up to going in to hospital (went for a check up and wasn't let back out!).

This time I already know they won't let me go past due date so aiming for 39 weeks again but wouldn't be shocked if induced earlier so still working when they arrive.

DD was 3 weeks old when my actual maternity leave started as I had 3 weeks annual leave to use beforehand. My waters broke on the way from my my last day. I never did get that lie in!!

I worked until the day before my due date and DS was 6 days late, so I had a week—going out of my mind with boredom— of rest before birth.

I started maternity leave this week at 37+3.

37 was, gave birth to 3 days after going on leave. I was going togo on leave at 39 wks. God job i left earlier otherwise i would have gone into labour at work!

I booked my leave in for 33+2 due to very bad SPD and work not being able to support me better. Lucky I did as my son was born the day my leave started

Dc1 - left at 38 weeks. Ds born on due date at 40 weeks

This time - leaving at 37 weeks, booked in for a csec at 39 weeks

I'm starting my holiday at 31 weeks and maternity leave 6 weeks later so i'll be 37 weeks by then. Starting mine extremely early as i have 40 minute commute each way, plus i want to avoid peak busy period as it's so stressful. If i left any later it would make for a difficult handover as well.

I also, have M.E. and my fatigue hasn't improved in second trimester and can only imagine it getting worse.

I should add im mid renovations and we still won't be 100% finished by the time baby arrives so i'll have plenty to do at home before arrival including making curtains, painting, etc for the whole boat which will hopefully mean we're a little more homely! I also have two dogs who keep my occupied.

I stopped at 26 weeks with DC4. I couldn't physically do my job by that point!

DC1 - 39 weeks
DC2 - hadn't yet gone back after DC1
DC3 - 35 weeks

First time I went on mat leave at 38 weeks. With hindsight, it was too soon. All of my friends were working or busy with babies/toddlers, so I found it really boring just waiting around till 40 weeks.

Last time I went at 34 weeks. I had 5 weeks annual leave to use as holiday year was Jan to Dec so I knew I wouldn't be back to use it, so took annual leave in Feb, started maternity in April.

This time, holiday year now runs April to April, I'm due in October and am now part time so ignoring the holiday I already have booked I will have about 4 weeks annual leave to use, so am planning on leaving at 35 weeks this time. Obviously depending on how it goes, but I have a toddler to contend with now as well and would like to spend some quality time with her before the baby arrives.

I worked up to my due date haha

I finished at 36 weeks and sat here now at 40+2 still no baby so feel like I've wasted all that time! In hindsight i probably could have worked until 37/38 weeks but after that i was just too knackered anyway. Dont stress yet, you don't know how you're gonna be you'll just have to wait and see.

So many replies! Thank you all for your inputs 🙂 it's great to know this stuff in advance and have opinions from people who have done it before (and already have plans in place!).

Thanks all!