When did you go on maternity leave?

[Magpie24]

How long before your due date did you go on maternity leave? I'm due start of November (first baby) and was thinking mid-October but want as much time with the baby as possible and if I'm late I don't want a month sitting around. Then again I may be exhausted! Any advice appreciated.

I was planning on working up to birth. I left as had to be rushed to hospital at 34 weeks and had my son a week later

I'm finishing for maternity leave 2 weeks before my due date as I was two weeks late with my last I don't want to be sat around too long before newborn arrives. But as the weeks go by I'm finding things a lot more uncomfortable, feeling like I need a wee constantly and my stomach feels super stretched. It's a shame we have to decide on maternity leave dates so early as I may have chosen to have 4 weeks off before I'm due (especially if I end up more uncomfortable)

I’m thinking 32 weeks, as I have 5 weeks annual leave to take too

I’m due at the end of October with my first and was thinking of starting my mat leave two weeks before my due date, but finishing at the end of September using annual leave. Who knows what could happen between now and then though!

I'm using up 4 weeks of annual leave before my actual maternity leave starts, so I will be 34 weeks when I go off on A/L and 38 weeks when my maternity leave actually starts.

36 weeks and that was late enough for me. I then had four weeks until DD was born but don't remember being bored. Actually it was lovely!

Currently TTC #2 and I plan to go as early as I can this time, maybe 32 weeks. It's quite unlikely I'll go back after mat leave anyway so that doesn't impact my decision.

Attended hospital for an appointment at 36 weeks and was kept in for high BP until induction at 37 weeks so I never got that nesting time at home. This time I've got leave to take so go on holiday at 37 weeks and start ML officially on the Saturday before my due date. Here's hoping this one plays ball and stays put until 40 weeks.

36 weeks with my first and had him at 40+4. I didn't NEED to go that early but having that time to myself was wonderful and never to be repeated.

Currently 35 weeks with my second and planning to go at 37+4. I am absolutely knackered this time from running around after a toddler. I'm desperate to finish now , I just want a nap!! But at least at work I get to sit down, so I'm not sure finishing any earlier would have been better.

I wouldn't change how early I went with my first. I was ready to go back to work after 12 mo mat leave and DS was as ready for nursery as he was going to be. Another week or two off at the other end wouldn't have made any difference to either of us and at least I have the lovely memories of pottering about and nesting before he was born.

I finish this Friday at 34 +1, have got a few weeks of annual leave then officially start mat leave at 39 weeks. These next 2 days can't go by quick enough, I have a desk job and physically I'm coping well but for the last 2 weeks or so I've totally mentally switched off. I can't find any enthusiasm for doing anything work related and normally I love my job and like that it's intellectually challenging. I simply can't be arsed any more!

I'm planning on finishing at 35 weeks, I'm at healthcare assistant in a hospital so very physically demanding and suffering from swollen feet/ankles, mainly due to not having enough time to drink enough! And would like some time with my partner before baby girl make her grand entrance as it's our first

40+4 doing a pretty physical job. As I'm SE I could only take four weeks off without losing business so had to keep going. It wasn't easy but it was worth it.

In my previous pregnancy as an employee entitled to 12 months off I finished at 38 weeks.

I am due october and I am planning on starting ML from 38+2 but I have plenty of annual leave to use before that so my last day at work will hopefully be 35+1.
I hadnt planned to take so much off before but as I have the leave to take I thought I would take advantage.

I went into labour at 33+3 and was kept in hospital but it wasn't confirmed I was in labour, I only worked part time but at 34 weeks my boss rang me to see why I wasn't at work and had to inform her I'd be starting my ML from that day as I had just given birth! I

With dd I was there until two days before, but that was a planned elcs so I wasnt at 40 weeks. With ds I stopped three weeks before.

First baby due 14th Feb. Was huge left work at beg Dec. 10weeks before due date. Just could not manage any more.
DD born on 17th Jan 6 weeks later. Dates were out.
DS due 28th July finished at 36 weeks. As schools hols began . Live in scotland. He was born 3rd Aug.

Every pregnancy different. 1st time felt really tired. 2nd time was full of beans.
You will know when it's time.

Thank you everyone. Some real variety. I may just have to see how it goes! First baby so not a clue really!

I have chosen to go on maternity leave at 33+3. I was originally going to wait until 37 or 38 weeks so that I could have more maternity leave afterwards, but I am just beyond exhausted, in pain and mentally and physically I can't do it anymore.

I also have a lot of baby related appointments due to growth scans and the regular midwife appointments and so on, so I find on those days I am just done in and can't function work-wise. It will be better for me and baby if I can focus on them and getting the house ready rather than trying to juggle everything.

39 weeks and had him the next day so not even a lie in for me!

I'm pregnant with my first too and have planned to leave at like 36 and a half weeks, but the first three weeks are annual leave assuming baby does not come before the EDD, then my SMP will start on due date. I work in an office job too and it's about a 20 minute walk each way so nothing physically demanding. I'm 33 weeks and already exhausted though and can't wait to finish so I can't imagine how people do it in physically tiring jobs!! My respect to you all! Not only that but my next three weeks are all going to be 4 days because of the bank holiday and I have some remaining annual leave days to use before I go.

Freelancer here. With 1st baby think I finished at 36.5 week’s but did a few extra days work around 38weeks working from home. Baby was a week late. Am currently 36 weeks pregnant with baby#2 and am due to finish at 39 weeks...working in the office. Am (fooling) convincing myself that this baby will also be late so will have a couple of weeks at home before baby arrives...we’ll see!

38 weeks with DD1. I made the decision in the 2nd trimester and hugely regretted how late I'd agreed to work by the third!

DD2 was ELCS at 39 weeks and I was off from 36 weeks. Much better.

Yes you want to spend lots of time with your baby but you'll never be on your own again. Make the most of it!!

Last time I was due early April and left mid Feb (around 35 weeks) but took annual leave with maternity leave starting on my due date. DD was 10 days overdue.

This time I'm due 9th October and am leaving on annual leave on 7th September and starting May leave first week in October. My 39 weeks leave will take me to the start of July.

32 weeks due to physically demanding job and often crippling SPD - I've just started my mat leave and couldn't be happier! My poor pelvis is finally getting a rest. Also recently learned I could potentially go into early labour due to a couple of risks so very glad I started early really! If I still worked in an office, probably 36/37.

I'm SE so no annual leave or maternity pay unfortunately.
I'm finishing 2 weeks before my due date but as I'm on my feet nearly all day I've cut my hours down to 25 for the last 6 weeks working. Be back 1 day a week after 6 weeks then back properly after 4 months.

Hoping all this isn't wishful thinking! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

I left at 36 weeks. Baby came 3 weeks later.
Loved that time off. Saw my mum, went shopping for lots of the small baby bits I hadn’t managed to get. Chilled out (I had a bad back and sitting at a desk didn’t help) and watched tv. Glad I had that time to relax.