When are you starting maternity leave?

[LackingNicknameInspiration]

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.

Reading some of the stuff i think i have booked my ML a little early im due 11Sept but my Maternity starts 11 August.My job isn't to stressfull either - my life is but my job is the thing thats keeping me sain should i make it a bit later?

this site might be useful for those working out holiday / maternity leave rights

Lacking - Throughout my whole pregnancy I was offered a seat only twice!
I had ds in April so I did spend the last few months in winter clothes so people may have thought I was just fat.
May be different for summer pregnancies but I doubt it. I see heavily pregnant women on the tube standing up all the time.
I'm due this time in early Oct so we'll see...

I commute in too and have NEVER been offered a seat so far. I'm 20 weeks and as my tummy and boobies are getting pretty big but the rest of me has stayed the same, I really do look pregnant rather than just fat.

I get nausea and am prone to fainting if I stand so all of my kind fellow commutes just bury their heads into their newspapers whilst I struggle to sit down on the floor. I am entitled to a seat in first class now that I'm 20 weeks but there is rarely a seat in there so it hasn't done me much good.

I'm 6 months pg been offered a seat on the tube for at least 95% of journeys in the last couple of months although sometimes it takes a station or 2. If I take the train it's a different matter as it's always so full that you never get anywhere near the seats although people have offered to ask people to move for me.

On the tube agree that it's best to try and move into the middle of the long rows. Then start taking off jackets, cardigans etc and drinking water loudly- usually works! I'm on the District Line which at least is oftn above ground and spacious. Don't think I'd be able to cope with the Central Line...

Rather strangely, I did get offered a seat a few times about 4 weeks ago, when I hadn't told work and therefore got a bit paranoid, although I wasn't really showing (made a point of adopting suitable stance in the middle of the train though!). But now 20 + 5, starting to show and can't believe that people just studiously ignore you. Although, based on all your posts (thanks!) this seems quite normal......

MumpBump, my holidays are from begining April to end of march. (or is it beginning of march to end of Feb) Something like that. I do weekdays at the moment, nut this month i have been doing sunday afternoon shifts for overtime. (Need the cash now)I forgot about it the sunday thing. so i may just have hoilday from 17th to 20th with mat leave starting on 21st. still get 2 weeks then. This may all change after my scan whenever that is. too many dates to think about.

Imawurzel - the other thing to bear in mind is that if you book holiday directly before your maternity leave and the baby arrives early, your maternity leave will start on the birth of your child and you lose the holiday altogether...

Buggar. Dunno what to do then. i will just wait to find out what date they do reckon. This is my 1st, is it likely to come early then? I thought 1sts were late?

I just had a meeting with my boss and told her im def doing the 11th August for my maternity and im due on 11th sept although still in -between the 1st and 11th sept but just going with 11th as easier both scans had casued confusion...makes u feel like ur in safe hands eh!

So are the 1st babies normally early i keep being told their late... hm!

My first was 2 1/2 weeks early......

Flip iv got it stuck in my head ill be late. though i think 2 and a half weeks early sounds kinda nice. that way theirs not much waiting about... alreday feels like a life time.

Not sure how i'd feel with it coming early, would be great don't get me wrong. My parents anniversary is 9th december, my birthday is 11th, DH's is 17th. would be an expensive month if it did come early. Oh and theres christmas day.
a friend of mine was overdue and her bundle came on christmas day.

i guess we just have to wait for it to come i just look forward to having a bottle of red wine and a good dance now. christmas day baby ooooo how expensive how busy is ur december!!

I think the next glass of wine i have will probably knock me out!!!

I think babies come when they're good and ready. They don't know what date they're meant to arrive nor do they have a concept of late or early!!! I just wouldn't count on it coming late, that's all!

Im having a glass tonight i think.. i haven't been out or felt like a normal human being or even my age in so long well since new years (when i found out when i was V drunk) ops! but im going casino with another preg friend spending £5 in their and having a meal and maybe a lill glass of red! how exciting!

Last time I finished at 23 weeks (6weeks AL before ML) - felt rubbish & didn't feel bored being at home AT ALL.

This time, due September 13th, have 10 weeks leave to use, but can't use all at same time, so using it in 2 & 3 week blocks up until July 23rd (33 weeks).

Two shifts left, one at 26 weeks, one at 29 weeks (only work one day per week).

Can't wait to spend the summer with Millie (17 months).

i just wanted to say how pleasantly surprised i've been at how often i'm offered a seat on the tube. it started when i was about 20 weeks. I'm now 31+5 and for the last couple of months i've been offered a seat every single day - often by women I have to say!
it really has been a happy surprise as I didn't think people would be that good.
Girls, stick your tummy out if you don't feel up to standing and they're not noticing you're preggers! sooner or later someone will feel guilty enough! The only time I was left standing, a young girl got on the tube, saw me, and shouted down the carriage: 'has nobody offered you a seat?' Within a micro second, an embarrassed looking man leapt up...!

I'm officially starting my Mat leave at 36 weeks, but have 3 weeks holiday to take too so tagging that onto the beginning. This means I'll be leaving work at 33 weeks- in 2 weeks time!!! Not that I'm counting or anything but I can't wait!!

PPS (31+1) XX