When are you starting your maternity leave?

[MrsD28]

Currently 24 weeks with DC2 and trying to decide when to start maternity leave. With DC1 I worked until 38+5 (the Friday before my last week of pregnancy). I ended up being induced at 39+5 (for reduced fetal movement), though after a lengthy induction that ended in an EMCS DC1 only actually appeared at 40+2. During that brief time off I really didn't have time to rest, as we at the tail-end of a major renovation of our flat so I was busy painting and sanding.

Not sure what to do this time round. I would ideally like to finish on a Friday, which means that I am picking between leaving at 38+1 and leaving at 39+1. I obviously want to use as much of my maternity leave for when the baby is actually here, but am also conscious that this time round I am older and more tired (thanks, DC1). I work FT and don't have any rest time, really.

When are you planning to start your maternity leave?

Last time I went on maternity leave at 38+ weeks and had 5 days off before baby arrived so this time I’m going to leave at 37weeks I’ll probably use leave then officially start my maternity leave on my due date. I feel like I want a bit more time to relax and organise myself this time especially with a toddler.

I'm currently 36+5 and am going on leave from next Thursday when I'll be 37+6 - technically I've got 2 weeks annual leave before maternity leave starts but it doesn't really make a difference. I thought I'd be desperate to finish but I think I'll go stir crazy if baby doesn't arrive soon after I finish so I'm glad I didn't go any sooner...I may have done an extra week in hindsight!

I'm planning to start maternity leave at 38+4 (have c section booked in for 39+1 so know I won't be hanging around too long). I should have 12 days of annual leave to take before then so I'll probably actually finish at about 36 weeks unless I want to spread it out a bit to effectively work part time. Not sure I can be bothered in the height of summer though!

I'm planning to go around 36/37 weeks. I've left it a bit open (only at 19weeks) but wanted a conservative date in mind.
I'll have a lot to hand over at work and would definitely want that process to be done by then. Depending on how I feel I might leave it an extra week.

I'm finishing at 38 + 1. Only 3 weeks left!

Got sick leave from week 23 to week 36 (doctor's orders) then pregnancy leave and then maternity leave when the twins are born 😍

(I'm from Denmark)

I'm finishing at 36 weeks (have got a fair amount of annual leave saved up so actual maternity leave doesn't start until around 38 and a half weeks). I'm both exhausted and really just want to be getting things ready for the baby so am looking forward to having time both to rest and nest.

39 weeks - hopefully. I went off at 38 last time and got a bit bored. Plan to share the leave with my DH again so don't want too long without the baby.

Luckily, I have an office job with the option to work from home

I’m probably going to be finishing around 37 weeks (only 16/3 at the minute so a while to go! I’ve got just over two weeks annual leave to take first before my mat leave officially starts around 39 weeks. This is my second child, so will be doing school runs and stuff before the baby arrives.

I finished at 36 weeks with DS and ended up being in labour a few days later with him being delivered at 37 weeks.

So I was thinking of trying to finish at 36 weeks again, although currently set to leave at 37 weeks after the august bank holiday.

Finishing up at 38 weeks exactly as it falls onto a Friday. I'm taking 2 weeks annual leave and then starting my official maternity leave the Monday after my due date. :)

I was signed off with work related stress at 27 weeks for 2 weeks and then stated my maternity leave early from 29 weeks because of how awfully I was being treated at work. Not ideal but nor was ending up in hospital with extreme high blood pressure because of work the week before!!

I’m currently 25 weeks with DC2. Last time I went to 37 weeks, worked one week from home then went on mat leave at 38 weeks. I struggled to be honest and looking back I regretted it. Full time with commute into London.

This time I’m having 2 weeks annual leave from 34 weeks and then start mat leave at 36 weeks. I’m now part time and work locally. Using the time to cook and freeze meals which I didn’t do last time, playing with DC1 and resting when they’re at nursery. I’m planning on returning to work at 6 months as I only work 2 days a week now.

Forgot to add that I’m being induced at 39 weeks.

First time I finished at the end of 37 weeks and DS arrived at 41+2. I wasn’t bored and was totally ready to leave when I did. This time I have finished at the end of 36 weeks, and am very much enjoying the rest before the baby arrives! I’m only taking 6 months off so less of a consideration about missing out on leave as I can always extend. Take the rest if you can, it’s a unique opportunity!

I’m finishing on a Friday, I’ll be 36+6, but I’ll have two weeks holiday, then official maternity leave will start. Only 3 and a bit more weeks to go!!