Early Maternity Leave

[EdieBee]

Hello Ladies, I’m currently in the third trimester of my second pregnancy and struggling! I have a 3 year old and just feel exhausted all the time. Anyway I’m thinking of finishing work 6 weeks before my due date (2 weeks holidays and 4 weeks ML) - do you think that is excessive or how early did you all take maternity leave on your second?! I feel a bit guilty! My first baby arrived 2 weeks early so I didn’t have much time off last time.
Thanks!

I'm working as close as possible, finishing this Friday at 37+5, but it's my first so I don't have another to be running around after! I'm definitely ready to finish though. If you feel exhausted and want the rest, you definitely should finish up early. You shouldn't feel guilty at all! Do what's best for you!

If you feel exhausted then it's probably good to have a bit of a break before the baby is here especially if there's more chance of it coming early. Gives you some extra time to get organised too.
I've also got a 3 year old and stopped work at 29 weeks due to having a really physical job. Hopefully won't regret it when I'm having to go back a bit early, but with holiday it should end up nearly a year so not too bad

I'm taking mat leave from 36 weeks, but have the option to take leave from 32 weeks if I need to. I'm currently 25 weeks and totally exhausted (having a crap pregnancy) so I'm trying to be sensible, but I do feel silly for going so early sometimes.

Go on leave and dont worry about anyone else or feel like you are being excessive, you will be more refreshed and less stressed going into your labour than if you continue in work and struggle.

Don't worry about others - every pregnancy is different and every situation is different. Like you I'm expecting my second and also have a three year old and I plan to go at 29 weeks this time round, it's just what works best for us.

With my first I carried on working until much closer to the due date but so much has changed since then, I would never choose to do that this time round.

My first I finished at 38 weeks. My second I finished at 34 weeks, mainly because I was knackered from running around after a toddler, and also I knew I was taking a career break after maternity leave, so I didn’t have to worry about saving my mat leave to use once the baby was here.

I'm due my second in October, will absolutely be taking leave a bit earlier, keeping daughter in pre-school and trying to have a rest.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who work right till the last minute with each pregnancy, but if you are struggling and have the option to go on leave then do it!
You can always tack some holiday on the end next year to extend time with baby.

Aw that's you all so much for your lovely comments! It's made me feel better about it and I'm definitely going to take it early.

Definitely don't over think it. You are allowed to take leave from an early date for a reason.
I went at 36+5 with my first and she arrived less than a week later so I didn't really get much of a rest before hand. This time I am aiming to go to 37 but that's solely because I want to be able to have a summer holiday with my first and I won't get that if I go any earlier. To be honest, I think I'm pushing it, but I'm just thinking about what works best for me and that's what you should be thinking.

I'm leaving at 34 weeks, 2 weeks annual leave and then into mat leave. I have a bad back and SPD and am finding sitting in a chair at my desk all day absolute agony after about two hours! I keep switching from relief that I'm leaving earlier to feeling a bit guilty going so soon...

I’m going on maternity at 34 weeks but using six weeks of annual leave. The nature of my job would make it hard to work any longer due to H&S and whilst they could stick me in an office role, I would be bored out of my mind! I’d rather be at home chilling out and preparing for the baby.