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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 are you starting maternity leave?

47 replies

LackingNicknameInspiration · 16/05/2007 12:47

I've finally got round to telling my employer that I'm pregnant (who took it surprisingly well considering that I start a permanent job with them on the expiry of my contract a month before I'm due....). I'd like to let them know reasonably soon when I'm planning on starting mat leave, so they can arrange cover, but am not really sure when to go. My due date is 29 Sep (although this will be topic of conversation at next ante-natal as I'm sure it's 6 Oct...) but in any event am thinking of making my last day 21st Sep and taking the following week as hols, so mat leave will "officially" start 29 Sep (which is a Saturday, or Monday 1 Oct if they shift my DD!). I'm going to be working through July and August, so am hoping if I can cope with that, September will be ok. Does that sound reasonable?? My first one, so no prior experience to go on.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LilyLoo · 16/05/2007 12:49

i worked up to two weeks before my dc's were due. If all well it shouldn't be a problem as realistically you want as much time with baby as possible and tbh sitting around at home waiting for baby to come was awfully boring.

RobinB · 16/05/2007 14:20

I'm currently 31+4 weeks and am working until 38 weeks as I want as much time with baby as poss. Although at the moment this is feeling really hard and tiring am sure I will be glad afterwards, and sitting at home waiting is v.v. dull.

marieg76 · 16/05/2007 14:28

I'm due on the 10th of October and am working up until the 21st of September. Roll on September

incy · 16/05/2007 14:30

Worked FT until 40 weeks with number one and I must say it was hard - it may depend on your job though as I was a teacher and so not a lot of chance to sit down.

I was very tired by 36 weeks even though I wasn't very big and I missed out on opprtunities to do 'mum to be' stuff like yoga, aqua areobics, nct etc which would have been nice as you meet a lot of friends this way which is vital post birth for sanity. Also it was difficult taking time off for appointments which normally are weekly in late pregnancy. I also found that I wasn't cut a lot of slack by my colleages as they seemed to think I was on a 6 month holiday and so I tended to be given a lot of work in the late weeks to sort out before I left.

This time I left at 34 weeks and have had a wonderful time meeting other mums to be at various groups, having treatments and generally having a nice time. Can't say I am bored !

Saying this, financially it may not be an option to finish early and even though I was told all this I took no notice !

Good luck whatever you decide x

Wintersun · 16/05/2007 14:35

I was planning to work upto 2 weeks before ds was due but after 7.5 months, I found it a real struggle so re-arranged with hr and stopped work 4 weeks before. (I was commuting into the City and had to stand in rush hour so I don't think that helped!)
And yes, sitting at home waiting is extremely dull.

Your plan is fine - you can always reassess nearer the time if need be.

MrsMar · 16/05/2007 14:40

I haven't confirmed it, but I'm going to start my mat leave on 1st september, I'm due 19th. I've got a couple of weeks annual leave left so I may tag that on to the start. I have been told by some people that I would get bored sitting around at home waiting to give birth, but I'm not sure I would, and I do long, stressful shifts and I don't fancy being quite so knackered. I'm coming back to work on 23rd March, after Easter, as I'm starting a new job on 31st March.

percypig · 16/05/2007 14:40

I worked till 3 weeks before my due date with DS (who was then 10 days late!)

This was fine, and I probably could have gone on longer, but I enjoyed the break.

Although I'm only 8 weeks, I'm already thinking about this, because of timetabling issues in school (I work part time). I can't decide whether to work up till last possible day (end of Christmas term, a few days before due date) so can get a good start on GCSE/ A level class and feel less guilty about landing HoD in it AGAIN, or to finish as soon as possible (first week in October) so school can get someone in for almost all of the school year, less disruptive for pupils and easier for me.

Mumpbump · 16/05/2007 14:47

I worked until I was 38 weeks last time. I was planning on working until 39 weeks this time because I was so bored at home before ds arrived, but will probably stop again at 38 weeks again as my dsc need looking after for a week. I think last time, I was the last person in my antenatal group to stop working, but I also think the only one on a statutory maternity package.

MrsBadger · 16/05/2007 14:52

I have a desk job that's not v physically demanding and an easy journey, so I'm going to keep going for as long as possible to get the most the other end (as it were).

I know I'll miss coffee mornings etc but tbh I'm getting to know people already at NCT and antenatal yoga (both evenings), and I still enjoy 'forgetting' I'm pregnant while I'm at work.

And work is much closer to most of my appts than home is...

Gingerbear · 16/05/2007 14:58

I took 3 weeks holiday from 36 weeks. My actual mat leave starts on my due date!

fannyannie · 16/05/2007 14:58

I'm currently 37+1 with DC3 (due 5th June) and started my Maternity Leave on the 1st of May, although I took my AL in April so will have been off for nearly 2 months before DC3 is born.

However, because of the nature of my work I couldn't physically have worked much longer - I was working 9 1/4hr shifts - at night, as a Care Assistant so on my feet most of the time - and as DS2 generally doesn't sleep during the day anymore I was often up for 36hrs at a time - which was draining me.

Gingerbear · 16/05/2007 14:59

Oh, and I am not bored, just getting lots of rest, daytime naps and having fun with Phil n Fern.

MrsMar · 16/05/2007 15:05

ooh gingerbear, ITV daytime is my dirty secret!! As a shift worker I often get to indulge. I can go from Jeremy Kyle to Midsomer Murders without shifting once (then a quick switch to the end of countdown and deal or no deal) what a saddo I am

Gingerbear · 16/05/2007 15:21

Oh MrsMar, now that IS sad!
Only Phil n Fern for me. I get cabin fever if I try to watch anymore than that.

hannahsaunt · 16/05/2007 15:59

Snap MrsMar! I'm starting on 1st Sept too and looking forward to my daily fix of Diagnosis Murder / Murder She Wrote or at least on the days I don't have school runs (I'm sue 18 Sept). Last time I had SPD and couldn't wait for my mat leave so I could rest and move very little only for dh to break his foot the week before and I spent the whole of my mat leave pre baby running around after dh, doing everything for him and ds1 (oh, and having entire extended family for Christmas...).

MrsMar · 16/05/2007 17:01

I know I know, I'm a saddo. I have a tv in my office too, so I can spend all day long watching it... it's awful, do you think they have dttv anon?

Hannahsaunt - the 1st sept is toooo far for my liking. Can't believe have the hell of working through July and August and double hell of commuting to said crummy office during July and August! Harrump! Can't understand those mad folk who insist when they win the lottery they wouldn't give up work.... I would in heartbeat (and spend it watching crap on telly )

Original poster

LackingNicknameInspiration · 16/05/2007 18:39

Thanks for all the responses everyone, very helpful. Although now tempted to start mat leave a bit earlier for all that telly!

Think will continue with plan A for now but have to play by ear a bit, especially with July/August one-hour commute. Wintersun, I also have 40 mins on the tube - normally get seat on way in but not for whole journey home. Presumed thus far as just look a bit fat rather than preggers (20 +4) but can't believe you were left standing (although shouldn't be surprised, given how people studiously don't look up when you get on .

OP posts:

MrsMar · 16/05/2007 18:44

lacking... get yourself a big pregnancy book with the word pregnant in huge letters on the front.. I find it works wonders on the tube (either that or an old copy of "You're pregnant!" magazine!)

Original poster

LackingNicknameInspiration · 16/05/2007 23:16

I like your thinking MrsMar! And if need be I suppose I could always drop/hurl it at someone's head if Metro is soooo interesting that no one can look up even for a nanosecond

OP posts:

Moorhen · 17/05/2007 09:16

Lacking, you can also get badges from Transport for London which say something like Baby on Board (they're free, there's a number to ring somewhere on the website).

I also found that it helps to stand in the middle of the train, between the long banks of seats, make sure your coat's open and the bump's on display, arch your back, reach up and grab one of those stretchy hang-on bulb things... and if all else fails, sigh loudly. Basically, you just need to get people to look at you!

Mumpbump · 17/05/2007 09:54

Also, someone mentioned that some train operators offer free upgrades to first class for pregnant women. Not Southern, unfortunately for me...

Imawurzel · 17/05/2007 10:05

Hi all. I'm due i believe on 29th december. Not had 1st scan yet though, so i guess it may change?
I'm planning on maternity leave starting on 17th.So i get 2 weeks. But i've got 21 days holiday to take before end of next February. As i won't be at work then do iget to have it all between now and December? I would probably have hoilday 3rd december or 10th december.Then start mat leave 17th. Boss tried telling me that i wouldn't be entitled to my 21 days because i won't be 'working' but i read thats illegal. Am i right? This is my 1st, so i have not got a clue what i should be doing and when.

Diplidophus · 17/05/2007 10:17

Your 'week of confinement' starts ont he sunday prior to your due date which is Sun 23rd. Your maternity leave has to start prior to this, probably 21st.

Give them this date - you can always bring it forward if you are finiding it a struggle near the end.
First time I planned to wrok until the bitter end (due end of Jan). But after a couple of weeks off at X-mas couldn't face going back.

this time (due 30 Jun). I plan on finishing on 22nd June. However I am using my holiday to drop to a three-day week throughout June.

15 more working days to go - hurray!

Mumpbump · 17/05/2007 10:20

Imawurzel - my understanding is that your holiday accrues whilst your on maternity leave, as per usual. Whether you have to take it all this year, ie. before your maternity leave, depends on when your holiday year ends and how flexible your boss is. If you have to, you could always use it to effectively work part-time for a couple of months to ease the stress and have some rest before the baby arrives...

RGPargy · 17/05/2007 10:56

With my DS1 i gave up work 6 weeks before he was due, but only had 3 weeks off as he was early.

With this LO however, i am due on 27 November but plan to leave work at the end of October. I also commute to the City and would like to breathe some semi-clean air for the last month before baby arrives!

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