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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 did you go on mat leave with your first?

33 replies

elpreggo27 · 19/10/2018 11:10

FTM expecting in March. My mat pay tapers off pretty quickly so I need to stay working as long as possible (health/comfort depending). When did you go on mat leave with your first? I know everyone is different but interested to get some rough ballpark figures :)

OP posts:

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HairyArmpits · 19/10/2018 11:14

I went at 34 weeks but DS1 was born at 37 weeks.
Second pregnancy- 36 weeks and DS2 arrived at 39 weeks.

Depends on you and how you feel. If you are exhausted with work for example, you may want to go on mat leave earlier than planned.

Everyone has an idea of when they want to go on mat leave but it doesn't always work out that way. Go with the flow and see what happens nearer the time.

Congratulations

LeeCee · 19/10/2018 11:17

I'm wondering the same - FTM currently 28 weeks due to finish at 37 weeks not sure I'll make it to be honest. Using some holidays to take some 4 days weeks (including today off!)

mumofmunchkin · 19/10/2018 11:17

36 weeks. I work in an office, but was absolutely wiped by that point. I finished at 35 weeks with my second, and will finish at 36 weeks again with this one. I really like having a few weeks off to relax, really engage with the fact that I'm about to have a baby, and just put my feet up and watch box sets. Fwiw, my first and second arrived at 40+6 and 40+2.

ifeelsoextraordinary · 19/10/2018 11:19

I stopped a month before due date...2 weeks holiday and 2 weeks mat leave...except baby born 2 weeks early!

Baby 2 I hated my job so took the full 11 weeks off! (This one also 2 weeks early).

40plus2 · 19/10/2018 11:20

38+3, my friend is working till 39+ 3 which I think is ambitious! I'm now 41+ 3 and v bored so no regrets. Office work, would be v different if it was a physical job but I wanted to save time for when the baby was here and so far happy I made that call- if I'd been off for nearly a month at this point I would be climbing the walls.

I did start driving into work about six weeks beforehand and doing some WFH, so a long or v tiring commute would probably have changed my mind too.

SelinaMyers · 19/10/2018 11:24

36 weeks so I’d have a month before baby arrived (relocated so had lots going on) thought baby is now overdue and I’m so bored!

deathisforever · 19/10/2018 11:24

I used all my annual leave (which I had to because I was returning in a new AL year anyway) and went at 34 weeks, DD arrived bang on due date which meant I had 6 weeks of chilling out and preparing, it was lovely.

I did have to commute to work and did quite a bit of travel, none of which was fun in the heatwave and having SPD so it was definitely right for me.

Rkay2 · 19/10/2018 11:26

I was planning on taking 4 weeks off and one week of half term. But Baby came the day before leave was due to start!

WhirlingTurkey · 19/10/2018 11:41

36 weeks. Although my mat leave didn't start until a week before EDD, I used annual leave to go earlier.

This time I am finishing at 35 weeks because I am due in Jan and no point going back to work after Christmas. Again mat leave starts a week before EDD.

aurorie11 · 19/10/2018 11:45

37 weeks so I could manage work on new house as we completed on the day I started mat leave. Project managed work on house until DC1arrived, would have stayed at work had it not been for the house

Daffodil2018 · 19/10/2018 11:47

I am 28 weeks pregnant at the moment and planning to work up until Christmas, so I'll be 37 weeks when I stop.

Emelene · 19/10/2018 11:49

36 weeks (annual leave then official mat leave). I originally wanted to go to 38 weeks but I'm 37+4 now and so glad I stopped when I did!

Millie2008 · 19/10/2018 11:53

I saved 6 weeks of AL (so all of it!) and left at 34 weeks - which meant actual mat leave didn’t start till 40 weeks. It was right for me as I was a HCP working in an environment where I started to feel a bit vulnerable and unsafe. People kept telling me I’d get bored but I didn’t at all! Felt I needed that time to prepare as had done literally nothing up to that point! Plus had some house projects. At the end of the day I think it’s a case of personal preference, health during pregnancy and type of job. Good luck making decision x

PerfectlyPosed · 19/10/2018 11:56

I was about 37 weeks first time and that was plenty. This time I have pushed it to 38 weeks (today's the day!) and it's been too long. I only work in an office but I walk to work and have really struggled. I think I could have pushed it to last Friday but this week has been difficult.

Crystalblue13 · 19/10/2018 11:57

I worked til 36 weeks, I couldn’t have gone on any longer! I was knackered. Just do whatever feels comfortable for you x

3Blues · 19/10/2018 12:01

38 weeks, saved up two weeks holiday so maternity leave officially started on my due date...which was when baby was born!

captainshortie · 19/10/2018 12:08

Planning on working until im 37+4 but mat pay not starting until 38+6

hammeringinmyhead · 19/10/2018 12:30

I was meant to finish today (36+3) but finished last Friday instead as I'd had enough of getting up early, driving in rush hour and then staring distractedly into space! Most people I know have in no way been capable of going past 37 weeks.

AussieMum28 · 19/10/2018 12:54

I'm planning on going to 35+4. I'm a teacher so my goal is to get to the end of the Christmas term (I'm due Jan 14!)

2isabella2 · 19/10/2018 13:03

Office job and was supposed to stop at 38 weeks. At 35 weeks I'd had enough and arranged to stop at 36. Baby arrived at 38 so glad I did! I planned for 36 weeks second time and she arrived at 40, but I was busy with my toddler anyway and was good not having to go to work.

MonkeyToucher · 19/10/2018 13:19

I finished at 39 weeks exactly - DS came at 39+2

I work in an office and have an easy commute, so felt absolutely fine! Wanted to save all my leave to spend with the baby...

jennac · 19/10/2018 13:28

I'll be 36+6 when I finish in December. Although my mat leave officially starts the day before my due date, the previous few weeks are A/L that I need to use up. Luckily because of Christmas bank holidays etc that A/L has spread quite far

RaspberryBeret34 · 19/10/2018 13:30

Basically my due date! And went into labour that day too - all very efficient timing . I was able to work from home 2 days a week from around 38 weeks though.

Mhcb · 19/10/2018 13:31

I am finishing at 34+5 as need to use .y annual leave before and then maternity kicks n 2 weeks before EDD

AshBluex · 19/10/2018 13:32

I have just left work at 38 weeks with my first and have felt totally fine up until now! I always thought if I needed to go earlier I would, but j have only just started to struggle. Congratulations🌟xx

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