Maternity leave

[ohbabybabyy]

To ask you when you went on or are planning to go on maternity leave..!?
I'm hoping to go at 36 weeks but really unsure at this point. I have 2 weeks holiday left and was going to use two weeks maternity as well. I will stay longer if I can and if I feel up to it but my job is stressful and each day I just think about how I could potentially go on maternity earlier if I want but I know that's not wise if I want to spend more time with my baby. I've realised all the people who have gone on maternity at my work have gone between 8 and 4 weeks before their due date.. So when did you go on maternity? why did you choose to go when you did and did you regret your choice?

I went at 36 weeks and although ideally I wanted to stay in work as late as possible I just couldn't cope with being in the office. I was huge and uncomfortable and tired. DD then decided to be 2 weeks late!!!

I went on mat leave 2 days before my planned induction at 39 weeks last year when I was due DS1 as I felt well enough to be in work and knew I could finish earlier if I needed too, I'm 35 weeks now and have an ELCS booked at 39.1 and I'm working until 3 days before, I'm knackered now but it's harder being at home with a 15 month old so I'm glad to be working as late as possible my job isn't stressful though as it's a desk job with a 30-40min commute by car and I know that's not the case for everyone

Oh and to answer other questions no I didn't regret it at all. I needed to rest a lot during those last couple of weeks and it meant I was relaxed and happy when she finally made an appearance. I also had time pottering at home so could be confident that I had everything how I wanted it to be at home in time for her arrival!

I was a junior doctor I went at 33 weeks and 32 weeks .1st time didn't want to start a new rotation at 34 weeks pregnant. Second time child minder was going on holiday, so seemed sensible to stop then. They were tough jobs, on my feet for 12-13 hours. It worked well for me as after I finished I did loads of yogas,swimming and shopping first time and had a lovely summer off second time. As the NHS gave 6 months paid leave I went back when they were 5-7 months old.

First baby and I'm planning on going on maternity leave at 39 weeks but taking 2 weeks annual leave prior so leave work at 37 weeks. I feel fine and at the moment that seems achievable even with 12 hour days plus 1 hour commute via train each way but I think it's a very individual thing!

1st baby, 37 weeks. 2nd baby, 36 weeks. This one, I'm planning to go at 34 weeks at the latest! I'm shattered already and I'm only 18 weeks!

I'd suggest it really depends on your job and commute @ohbabybabyy.

I had a desk-based job and reasonably easy commute, so worked up to 38.5 weeks.

Now at 40+6, still waiting for our little one to arrive, and bored out of my mind at home! (But I'm not really one for sitting around watching telly all day).

I did feel pretty tired in my last week in the office, but glad I pushed through and haven't had even longer to wait at home!

I was due to go at 38 weeks but went s few days earlier as it all got a but much! DD was born 5 days later, so I was glad I did!

I had an easy desk job, 40 minute train/tube commute.

I'm a term time worker and term finishes when I'm 33 weeks, so finishing then and my leave officially starts on my due date. I can't wait as I'm on my feet all day and have pgp, I could manage a lot longer if I could sit for most of the time but glad I don't have to.

I went at 36 weeks with DS1 (born at 39+5) and 35 weeks with DS2 (born by elcs at 38+5). Both times I took 2 weeks annual leave so mat leave technically started at 38 and 37 weeks respectively.

I would have struggled to go much longer as I was very tired and had quite bad SPD both times meaning I was in a lot of pain.

It's very individual but I would say don't push yourself too hard, I think it's important to have a bit of a rest before baby arrives.

Went off at 37.5 last time and got a bit bored as baby didn't show up till 41 weeks. Hoping to stay till 39 weeks this time but depends how I am feeling.

I have an office job with an easy commute and can work from home if I want to - that makes a big difference

I finish in 2 days time when I'll be 38 weeks xx

went on leave at 38 weeks- i have a desk job and so was fine to carry on until that point- although the hour commute of a train and tube was become difficult. Work did allow me to start late and leave early towards the end to avoid rush hour (plus it was summer, so the less people on the tube the better).
Baby born at 40 + 4- i was utterly bored at home tbh once id washed the babies clothes and cleaned the house daily. Looking back I should have slept more

I was planning to go at 39 weeks but left three weeks earlier due to being huge and tired. I ended up giving birth at 37 weeks.

I’m a first timer. Currently 32 weeks and going off between 35 and 36. I’ve got a desk based job but it is stressful and I have a long commute. I’m counting down the days - I’m finding it really hard now. I’m in absolute awe of women who manage to work longer!

I’m a teacher. Went at 36 weeks with ds1 but he was 2 weeks late and it was far too early. Finished at 39 weeks with number 2 and 3 (in fact, I was 39+6 on the Friday I finished with number 3!) and it was fine. I probably should have gone a week earlier the last time but it was ok.

3 days before my due date this time. 38 weeks last time. I was SOOO bored last time though and wish I'd kept working.

I'm also self employed though so having the extra cash is also helpful.

I wanted to work as long as I could too, but since I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes I’m not sure. So I’m still none the wiser

I worked until 38 +4 managed 3 days of maternity leave before DS arrived at 39 weeks

I've had to make a decision this week. I'm due in October and work in a school so I could go back for a month or just not go back after the summer holidays and start maternity from 29weeks.....I've decided to go back for September, and leave at 37 weeks. I only do part time so hoping it's not too much for me

Currently 35+4 and even though I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last 4 weeks working from home I’ve been KNACKERED due to not sleeping. Mat leave officially starts on due date, I have 2 weeks off before as annual leave and for the last few wks & couple of weeks left I’m doing 4 day weeks and a 3 day wk on my last week. My commute is 1.5-2hrs each way and I have back problems pre pregnancy meaning I couldn’t have coped with the commute & a day in the office passed 30 weeks! Luckily I can work from home and just meet my boss once a fortnight closer to home.

Self-employed here too, no commute as I work from home.

DD1 only took on jobs I could do in one day from 36 weeks, in the mistaken belief I could give birth early. As it was, I went 9 days overdue and was bored stiff (and stressed too, which didn't help matters). Started working again after a month because I was so so bored.
DS2 swore I'd work up until I felt things got moving. So worked even the morning I went into labour (was only a minor question from a client though) and refused jobs on that morning. Midwife joked I didn't really have time for giving birth at all. Was back at my computer 2 weeks after. I figured that the newborn phase was ideal for carrying on, while the time between the time they are awake more and can play by themselves (when they can grab), is terrible because they want to be entertained. Worked a treat 😊.
With this one (7 weeks), I'm going to do the same. No stress.

I know I'm weird.

My mat leave was due to start on Friday at 38 weeks but I've finished up today at 37+4 as due to have a sweep in the morning. (Took holidays for the rest of the week).
Slightly regretting not finishing earlier, on the chance the sweep tomorrow does work I'l have had no down time before the birth.
But from experience I know I'll be glad the other end of maternity leave that I kept my holidays to use then

Teacher I left at 29weeks (not because of illness) just because I wanted to really 🙈

I went at 36+5 with my first and was using 2 weeks annual leave so maternity didn't kick in until almost 39 weeks as I wanted as much time off with baby as possible.
I wish I'd gone a few days earlier as early labour started dead on 37 weeks and dd arrived at 37+4. Didn't feel like I actually had a chance to rest before the onslaught of being a parent (especially as dh and inlaws redid the bathroom at 36+6 so I was weeing in a bowl in a cold garage as we had no toilet that day and that was my only day before it kicked off)
This time I'm not sure.
I am on holiday until 35+6 so not sure if it's worth going back for a week and then starting the last of my annual leave (2 weeks left to take) and maternity starting at 38, or just not coming back after holiday which would mean I was 34+1 on my last day and maternity would start at 37.