If you work full time when did you go on maternity leave?

[River93]

I’d originally told my employer I’d work until 2 weeks before due date. Oh how naive I was, I’m 21 weeks but find some days I’m struggling as it can be fairly physical some days as I travel around to lots of different locations and have lots of equipment to lug around and get in and out the car.

I think now I’d like to go 4 weeks before due date but again this could change. I suspect if my job was based at a desk it would be much easier for me!

I’m just interested to see when other people did?

I went off at 36 weeks each time. Desk job but was ready to finish by then.

I went 2 weeks before due date and as both were late it worked well as otherwise I would be bored. Also prefer having time off with baby but all depends how well you feel, what type of job, commute etc..

I stopped at almost 38 weeks. I’m a primary school teacher with an hour’s commute each way. It’s quite a stressful and physical job. It was really tough towards the end but made sense as I went off at the start of the Xmas hols and my mat leave started in the new year (as don’t get normal annual leave in teaching). That’s why I stuck it out.

Every pregnancy is different as is each person’s situation and it’s not a competition to see who can work the longest! All you can really do is see how you go. Look after yourself.

At 37 weeks; was going to stay until 38 but was tired and work weren't fussed either way so have had an extra week with my feet up (literally, they're so swollen lol)

I left two weeks before any due date both times but then I had an admin job, the most stressful thing I did was walk to the photocopier.

36 weeks. Desk job but an hour commute on the tube each way and it was knackering.
Although I'm not one of those people that gets bored doing nothing and probably would have liked longer beforehand if I'm honest!

36 weeks bang on, expecting to have a lovely month of nesting and lunching.
Went into labour on the journey home from work

35 weeks. i work in healthcare, my job includes loads of moving and handling. i couldn’t get near the bed!

36 weeks both times, was working 12.5 hour shifts and my share of nights so was happy to finish.

Ds1 6 weeks before dd. Ds2 3 weeks before dd and he was born next day. I wouldn't do that again!

With my first I went two weeks before, with my second now I plan on going a week before. I believe my work place gives me 28days before if I want to change it, so maybe ask you employer what the rules are about changing it?

I finished two weeks ago at 37 weeks, but I have an hour long London commute in the height of summer, I couldn't have done anymore as was hot and exhausted!!

I went at 38 weeks it was fine for me as I was working from home a few days a week so my commute didn’t cause me too much stress.

I had SPD & was really flagging at the end.

I finished at 36 weeks, I was massive and worked 12 hour shifts with troubled kids. It wasn't at all easy but I felt pretty well during my pregnancy so I did as much as I could and took 11 months off with my boy

I went at 38 weeks with first and I am a ward based nurse. This time I have 5 weeks of annual leave to take so will be 35 weeks but will probably do some extra shifts in my annual leave.

I had a desk job but had sacroiliac hip dysfunction. Maternity pay was shite when I was pregnant so I worked to 38.5 weeks with DS1 and with DS2 (13 months later) I was booked in for a section on the wednesday and finished up the Wednesday before!

It sounds like you need some adaptations made for you at work

I did two weeks before, on the road type job, lots of things to carry for role. I was also HUGE. However, I made it very clear to the customers if they wanted it they got it themselves from my car! However the kids pregnant I got the less my company wanted me to do - so did a lot by phone. They are very male “heavy” so really didn’t know what to do with me 😂

6 days before due date with ds1 but I do a desk job and had a very easy pregnancy.
Currently pregnant with ds4 and only working part time and I'm starting maternity leave at 35 weeks much tougher pregnancy and also high risk now so lots of appointments to go to so I'd hardly be at work anyway.

I went on maternity at 29 weeks but I went on sick leave before that due to an incompetent cervix. I physically couldn't handle it anymore as I was in a very active job that involved a lot of bending and lifting and it would've made it worse.

34 weeks with DC1 as I’m a teacher and he was due first week back after the summer holidays so had the 6 weeks off then started leave offically.

Was planning on working till 38 this time but have just finished at 34 again as SPD is made 10x worse being on my feet all day at school coupled with chasing around a 22 month old I am just too sore and tired to keep on!

36 weeks, although the first 2 weeks was meant to be annual leave. I finished work on the Friday, DS came on the Sunday. Same thing with dd 3 years later, but she waited until the Tuesday.

i worked up untill a week before with all my 3! then saved a weeks holiday so my maternity leave started on my due date! lucky enough i gave birth 2 days after due date with all 3 aswel. i was very lucky.

My last day at work was wednesday i was at 33+5 weeks but thats only because im using my holidays my maternity starts 2 weeks before my due date. Im so glad iv finished now though dont think i would have coped with the shifts i was working late nights/early mornings.

I planning to finish At 36 weeks by using 2 weeks holiday then my maternity will kick in but I will see how it goes x

36 weeks with both before, but the first couple of weeks were holiday leave. That was in an office job. I'm a secondary teacher now so will finish at 32 weeks I think because of summer holidays but maternity leave won't start till September. (Am due mid September.)