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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 to go on Maternity Leave?

53 replies

Stephisaur · 12/07/2018 14:25

Baby isn't due until December, but it's occurred to me today that I have no idea when you're supposed to work until!

I'm due the 17th, so my original idea was to start my Maternity leave on the Friday (14th). I don't know whether this is too late? I have some holiday (need to check how much) that I could take before then if I should leave work earlier, but with it being my first I just don't know!

I have an office job, so not too taxing really. I just sit here on mumsnet and answer phones and emails really.

Any thoughts?

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jennac · 12/07/2018 14:39

Hi @Stephisaur. I think that sounds very late to finish! I have an office job and the company policy says we must begin maternity leave a minimum of 4 weeks before due date - so perhaps your company has something similar? I understand wanting to work for as long as possible but perhaps when it gets nearer it will be less appealing! My first is due 1st Jan so I'm aiming for 1st Dec but haven't even told work yet so will have to see what they say!

SiolGhoraidh · 12/07/2018 14:40

I was initially planning to work until 2 weeks before my due date, but have brought that forward to a month before, using annual leave to plug the gap. At 32 weeks I'm on crutches, struggling to move around the office safely and in the loo every hour, so it became clear I was not going to be able to work as long as I planned.
A lot will depend on how you feel. Some mums at my stage are already on leave, others are planning to work to 38 weeks

Original poster

Stephisaur · 12/07/2018 14:43

@jennac thanks for the input :) I work for my parents and it's only a small company. The only other person who has taken maternity leave was my SIL last year, who left the week before she was induced, so as I say - a bit confused!

I'll see how much leave I have left and work it out from there. Maybe 36-38 weeks would be good to aim for for now, assuming that I don't have any issues.

@SiolGhoraidh crutches at 32 weeks do not sound like fun! :(

OP posts:

Matilda1981 · 12/07/2018 14:43

I agree that a lot will depend on how you feel - with my first I worked until 7 days over my due date and my dd was born three days later, wasn’t working when I had my 2nd as they were close together; now on my third pregnancy and due beginning of September so I’ll probably finish end of August so I don’t have to go to work and get the other two back in a school term time routine!

pumpkinpieinmyeye · 12/07/2018 14:47

I have a relaxed office job with short commute, I finish work at 38 weeks, 2 weeks of annual leave with my mat leave officially kicking in on my due date.

GreenMeerkat · 12/07/2018 14:49

I'm due on 29th October , c section booked on 22nd and last day in work is 9th October so I will be just over 37 weeks when I finish

Thegirlhasnoname · 12/07/2018 14:55

I’m due 27 October with my first; mat leave to start 15 October but last day at work is 20 September using up leave. Also work in an office job and so far touch wood I’ve had a fairly straight forward pregnancy - I just can’t imagine commuting on the train will be much fun when I’m further along, I’m already struggling as it is!

Peanut91 · 12/07/2018 16:27

Due 10th Oct with my first. Mat leave starts on 1st Oct but last day in office is the 6th September.

I have an office job and a short commute. Cant wait to finish

BE18mum · 12/07/2018 16:31

I had an office job and finished a week before. Worked out quite well as I didn’t get bored before and have maximised time with my daughter. I was fed up and ready to go but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t deal with - plus work had air con!

Original poster

Stephisaur · 12/07/2018 16:34

Thanks all for your input :)

I only have 9 1/2 days left of my annual leave, so can't quite take 2 weeks holiday before the baby! Will save 5 of those days for an extra week off though :)

You've given me a lot to think about :)

OP posts:

Tweetypie95 · 12/07/2018 16:43

I had a similar dilemma. I didn't want to be bored at home waiting for baby so gave myself 6 days before my due date.

I'm now regretting it. Especially in this heat!

It is an office job with about a 45min comute each way. I'm now 38 weeks and actually feeling great but struggling with fatigue now. I get home and have no energy left to do the things I want to get sorted before baby arrives.

My midwife was concerned I was working so late also suggested I finish earlier so that if i was to go into labour earlier then I would have the energy to go through the long labour process. I was due to have another week left and work up until 39+1 but after a conversation with my boss today we have decided to start from today.

Make sure you allow yourself to have time to do what you want before baby gets here and to have some time for yourself resting up before your world becomes about your little miracle. (Plus i am sure you will have tons to do in the lead up to christmas.)

birdybirdbird · 12/07/2018 17:22

I’m due 27th Sept and last day of work is 14th. I’m a teacher, so figure I can rest up over summer holidays and will manage those 2 weeks (I won’t have a class). My part and I are taking shares parental leave, he’s having first 3 months off with me, so I want to go as close to due date as I can to maximise time.

caoraich · 12/07/2018 17:32

I'm due 17th October. Officially starting ML on the 14th (start of that week) but taking the 2 weeks prior as AL so I'll be off from 27th September.

I have my fingers crossed this will be OK. I work in healthcare but have reasonable hours, can do most of my job sitting down and am coming off the on call rota in August. It's also only a 15min commute.

I think it totally depends on how you're feeling. I had a miserable 1st 20 weeks with HG and other health probs but have actually felt much better - if rather more unwieldy - over the last month.

I think it's different for everyone - do what suits you!

Flamingo84 · 12/07/2018 18:24

Might be worth asking how much notice you have to give them about the dates you want. Also how much notice you have to give to change the date.

I had to tell my employer my plans 14 weeks before my due date and had to give a minimum of 28 days notice to change the date.

My official maternity leave starts the week before my due date but I have 4 weeks annual leave before that.

Take into account your commute (if it’s December you’ll have to contend with rain, ice and wind etc), your energy levels and the sleep you’ll manage to get. I’m 32 weeks and have to get up 3 times a night to wee and keep getting leg cramps so I’m practically falling asleep on the sofa every evening!

It’s so hard to judge how you will feel months down the line, especially when it’s your first and you have no idea how you’re going to progress.

Original poster

Stephisaur · 12/07/2018 18:44

Thank you everyone who has taken the time to reply :)

I think I’ll definitely have to see how I go. My commute is only short, but as you say - not the best time of year to be on the roads!

OP posts:

CountFosco · 12/07/2018 18:50

the company policy says we must begin maternity leave a minimum of 4 weeks before due date

That sounds antiquated, don't think they are allowed to insist that anymore. I have 3 DC and for each one my SML started the week I was due. But we have a generous annual leave allowance so I was off work from around 36-37 weeks. With a first baby you will be very bored at home in those weeks leading up to the birth, with subsequent ones you tend to use the time cleaning!

Izzyw1983 · 12/07/2018 21:28

I work for the NHS bank.... I'm due 29th December but planning on finishing on the 3rd december.
I only get 6 weeks maternity pay so hoping I can cope until then haha

colourful86 · 12/07/2018 21:36

I'm due 28th October and I'm working till 26th October, but my job enables me to work from home and I've said that's what I'm doing from beginning of October.
Last time I took 2 weeks off before due date and went 10 days over and I was so bored waiting!

Izzyw1983 · 12/07/2018 21:53

I kinda wish I had a desk job...would mean more time spent with my baby when it comes as I only get 6 weeks maternity pay but not sure I can work right up lugging patients around on the wards til due date but will give it a go haha....

Grazek · 12/07/2018 21:58

I’m due 18th September,my last day at work is 16th August, but I’m using my remaining annual leave so maternity will start 10th September

OliveOrTwist · 12/07/2018 22:16

I'm finishing work at 39 weeks, taking a weeks annual leave and my maternity leave starts on my due date.

dinosaurkisses · 12/07/2018 22:29

@Izzyw1983 are you not entitled to statutory maternity pay or allowance?

Izzyw1983 · 12/07/2018 22:32

I get 90% of my wage for 6 six weeks....I can get statutory but my house costs alot more than benefit would pay and I think I would struggle...I'm going to CAB and see what I can get but what i have found out so far isn't looking good.

Cakelaur · 12/07/2018 23:16

@Stephisaur I'm due same day as you. I run a small business and I'm hoping to have someone to cover me from November and I'm hoping to work until beginning of December. But I guess time will tell. Baby no doubt will have it's own plan. I know it's hard when you work for a small/family business. But maybe prep for 2-4weeks prior and see how you go. Xx

Galaxyteal · 12/07/2018 23:22

I finished at 38 weeks, I was in to much pain to keep working, couldn’t bend and back was killing me, was 2 weeks late as well 🙈

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