When to start maternity leave?

[Velcro88]

Looking for advice as to when to plan my mat leave to start. Want as much time with baby (and prolong the paid months!), but also want to be realistic as to how it might feel at 38 weeks and whether I'll have the energy to keep going!

Is it worth working right up to D-day, or better to build in some time to rest/panic and prepare!?

Thanks ladies!

I finished at almost 36 weeks, a few people had said that the last month can be hard and I have half hour in the car both ways so figured it would be a good option. That was just over a week ago and today I had to go back in due to staff shortages for a couple hours and must admit I felt awful for it, even if I am bored stiff at home! My back was killing within an hour.
I think it varies from person to person though, it all depends how's you cope with your pregnancy

Everyone is different, listen to your body. I am officially on day 1 of my maternity leave and doing the ironing lol.

I am 34 weeks and 2 days. I did plan on doing another week but with this weather, the pressures of work, and I too in the past 2 weeks have had lack of fetal movements scare and pre-eclampsia scare I felt it was time to listen to my body.

My baby is measuring big too so I'm feeling really heavy and achey as well as not sleeping properly. If you are feeling good and are having a great pregnancy then of course go for as long as you can!

I did and still do feel a bit sad that I'm using my leave up and my baby isn't even here but I need to remind myself that by looking after me I'm looking after the baby too.

It depends on your commute and type of job you have and how you are coping with the pregnancy.
I worked in an office and had a 15 min drive to work. I carried on until i was 38 weeks and I could have easily worked another week

I think everybody is different but the option I’m taking is to start mat leave at 38 weeks but use up all my accrued leave before hand so my last day at work is in week 34. Could be an option for you and also gives you the time off whilst getting full pay for a little longer

Maternity leave starts on my due date, I've got 4 weeks annual leave so I'll be working till 35+5. Last two times I worked until 37+5 and 38+3 but this time I'm hot as previous babies were in winter, bigger and more uncomfortable

I worked up to 38 weeks. But I have a desk job with an easy commute, I think both of these things are relevant. DD came at just over 39 weeks so I wish I'd gone a week earlier to enjoy a bit more rest but there are no guarantees that they will come at any point, I just knew if i had 4 weeks at home, I would be climbing the walls at that point.

I'll be starting at 37 weeks (last day this Friday yay) but that's really more down to childcare issues as the school holidays start on Friday too. I'd be quite happy to keep going another week or so but I work in an office so I'm not hard pushed. I think I'd struggle big time if I was on my feet a lot/dealing with stairs etc.

I agree that it depends on your job and what kind of shifts you work, commute etc. I ended up finishing at 32 weeks as I'm a healthcare assistant in a hospital and had aches and pains everywhere, the 13 hour shifts were killing me. And now we are having this hot weather I'm glad I'm not in work as there is no air in hospitals and it's unbearable at the best of times let alone when you are 8 or 9 months pregnant

I worked up to 38 weeks but had a student teacher in my class so was doing mainly paperwork. Unfortunately ds was born 3 days after I finished which I certainly would not recommend. At least two weeks preparing and resting would have been wonderful!

I worked up to 38 weeks with my first which was fine although I was very ready to go at that point (1hr commute each way and three flights of stairs to get into the building). This time I'm going at 36 weeks mostly because I'm terrified how huge I will be this time (people think I'm due now at 25 weeks) but also because looking after a two year old is exhausting when pregnant and I will be able to have two days off each week (a grand total of 8 days in theory) while she's at nursery when I can rest.

I'm 22 weeks with DC2 and I'm hoping to stick it out until 38 weeks.

On the plus side I have a short commute and work with a lovely, supportive team who I know will look after me. But I work in a very busy and at times emotionally draining role that involves being on my feet quite a lot so I can see myself potentially struggling as I get heavier, more tired etc and I don't think I could go on any longer than 38 weeks.

Its difficult decision because obviously you want to maximise the time you get with the baby once they're here but it's also good to have a bit of time to rest and prepare.

I start my mat leave at just before 39 weeks but I have 3.5 weeks of annual leave to use up first so going at 34 weeks. I have felt pretty rubbish all pregnancy so it cant come quick enough. I am looking forward to taking things at my own pace for the last month

My mat leave is starting at 39 weeks but I'm taking 4 weeks annual leave first so leaving at 35 weeks. I did similar last time and it was definitely worth using the last few weeks to rest and prepare.

With DD1 I finished at 37 weeks and was bored rotten because she came at 42 weeks.

With this DC I'm finishing on Thursday at 38 weeks and wish I'd gone a week ago as I'm so big and uncomfortable and driving is a struggle. But if DC doesn't arrive until 42 as well I'm sure I will think I should have worked longer 😂

I've got a fortnight left and I'll be going on maternity at 33 weeks. Like others have said it depends on your job, commute and how you feel! I've got a long drive to work, my shifts are a minimum of 12 hours long and it's an emotionally draining role. I'm finding it really hard at the moment.

However those who work closer to their due dates will have more time at the other end. Just need to strike whatever balance works best for you.

I finished at 33 weeks. I was planning on working a bit longer but I was huge and sore and exhausted. I've got spd and I'm measuring very large for my dates so you might have an easier time though.

Depends on your job to be honest.

I work a retail job and intended to stay till 38 weeks. At 25 weeks I had to change it as my job is very physical and bought my mat leave forward as I was getting tired and suffering with sciatica.

Went at 34 weeks in the end, but used my five weeks holiday in a block so my mat leave doesn't actually kick in till a few days before due day.

Could always use holiday at the end of or start of your maternity to prolong it :)

Thanks all! Really helpful insights. I guess I'll plan for 38 weeks but can always react if things are not going according to plan! Hopefully my boss would be understanding if that happened. I work in an office with a relatively easy commute, so no pressure from that angle. Thanks all for your wisdom and good luck to those just starting their mat leave! X

This is my second baby, will be working to 36 weeks. Last time I went to 37 weeks, plus the 4 weeks before I go off I will be dropping a day, so only doing 4 day weeks as I know i will need it. Everyone has a different pregnancy, whilst I wish I was one of those ladies who sail through pregnancy. I am not. Plus it is a slightly complicated pregnancy anyway.

I finished 10 days before I gave birth and was fine. I felt like I could have worked longer tbh. For me, I'd rather have worked for longer and had more time off with the baby after.

But everyone is different.

I've done the two extremes. I was due to finish on the Friday with DS1 who was due on the Sunday and went into labour on Thursday so missed my last day and that was fine. That was because I'd be returning to work and knew I'd regret any time off I had beforehand that I wouldn't then have with DS1.

With DS2, I finished as early as I was allowed and tagged on my annual leave from that year and the annual leave accrued on Mat leave with DS1. That was because I was planning to leave anyway so left as early as possible to spend more time with DS1 and to avoid having to commute with him to nursery, which involved using a sling as the commute was too stairy for a pushchair. That was the choice that was hardest physically on me. Work, and even the 90 minute public transport / walking commute was much gentler the first time around.

It really does depend on you OP and how you are feeling. I finished at 32 weeks (I had polyhydramnios and went up like a balloon!) but had it not been for that I'd have worked longer, it was a bloody long wait for baby!
That being said I don't think I'd have managed to work to 38/39 weeks anyway as it's very uncomfortable at that stage!

Good luck with baba and hope you get the balance right. I'd say about 36+ is a good time!