Taking maternity at 33 weeks

[CathyandHeathcliff]

This is my plan.
I work in a school and due 20th Oct. I thought I'd not go back after summer hols and start my maternity on 3rd Sept when we're due back.
I'd then return at the start of the new term after summer hols (a year later).

Has anyone else done similar?

Yes, also a teacher and I left at 34 weeks (baby came at 38.) I was too big and uncomfortable to carry on as I work in a secondary and swap classrooms a lot between lessons.

I am not a teacher so not sure how it works but I know a couple of my friends have gone back for the last couple of weeks of term and then been paid for the summer holidays.

I'm a teacher - one of my colleagues did similar. She ended up going 2 weeks overdue and was going a bit stir crazy by the end. I guess a lot of it depends on how you feel, what you have to keep yourself occupied, whether you have company or are likely to be a bit lonely with months off before baby etc. I've always worked quite close to birth (hopefully, I'm 37 weeks and hope to leave at 38+5!)and that works for me. But everyone is different.

I'd do what Bluebird suggests. Also, as mentioned by others, carefully consider how you're going to fill your time - you might potentially have 15 weeks off before the baby comes!

I don't know what your contract is like, but mine says that my job will only be kept open for 26 weeks, after that they're only obliged to offer equivalent duties. And remember SMP is only for 39 weeks. I'm due on the 28th of September and am planning to go back for 1-2 weeks in September. I'm rubbish with holidays though :) and not very well-off ATM.