When to take maternity leave

[Babynumerodos]

I know this is a decision I can only make myself but I’m looking for advice anyway.

Currently 23 weeks so I know mat leave is a long way off but I want to start getting organised and working out when to go off. I work in an open office so sitting down all day so not a lot of physical work. Mentally there’s a lot of work and things to remember which is a struggle as ice realised now how real baby brain is!

I’ve had quite a smooth pregnancy so far, had some bleeding which I had to take time off work for but it was nothing to worry about and I’ve had a few days off due to low blood pressure as I’d been fainting (probably down to heat!) work have been supportive.

I want to leave with enough spare time to spend with DS and DP before baby comes. There’s a few things in the house I want to sort out too. I’m due November 3rd but DC1 came unexpectedly at 36 weeks. I know it does not necessarily mean that this baby will be 4 weeks early but I feel I would be better to assume it would come a little earlier so that when I go off I can have enough time to myself before baby comes.

I was thinking mid September when I would be about 32 weeks, but it seems so early if baby came on time (or late). Has anyone else taken mat leave that early and coped with the wait? How do you keep yourself busy once you’ve done all that needs to be done?

Anyone who worked right up until the end -Were you glad you did?

Definitely later than 32 weeks. You'll be bored senseless if baby doesn't come u til 42 weeks.

I took mat leave early(ish) at 37 weeks (rather than 38 weeks), but then i went to the full 42 weeks, so i had 5 weeks before she came.
I actually loved the time to prepare, relax etc, but had slightly less time on the other side

I went off at 37 weeks but used some annual leave so my Mat leave didn’t actually kick in until 39 weeks. DD was born at 41 weeks on the dot so I had 4 weeks off before she was born. It was lovely in some ways but I was definitely bored by the middle of the 3rd week.

If I went off at 32 weeks some of that would be annual leave not just maternity leave. I could try and hold out a little longer my only other concern is that I do long hours, 9am - 9pm some days. My work can’t change them either and it’s a struggle now and if the end of my pregnancy is anything like my last then I’ll be falling asleep at my desk.

I don’t particularly like my job since it’s been taken over by someone else. Any time away from your desk is questioned. I had to explain to one of the male managers that when a lady is pregnant her toilet usage tends to increase. Though my work is supportive with appointments and time off if anything relates to pregnancy, anything in work is questioned.
I did try changing the hours I do so that I could split the longer shifts into shorter ones across more days but as a previous pregnant colleague didn’t need that then apparently I don’t either.

I'm due on the 4th Nov and I'm planning on my last day at work being 4th Oct. I'd like to go sooner as work arent very understanding but I've got to take finances and potential boredom in to account too!

I'm going off week 35, but 2.5 weeks of that is holiday :) I have a long commute and didnt want the stress (and wasnt sure my bladder would survive)

Second baby for me and I'm leaving much earlier this time. Between house stuff, baby stuff, a 3 year old and trying to fit in a bit of extra time with my husband, I think I'll be more than occupied!

If I was working 12 hour days and having to explain my increase in toilet breaks I would definitely be going on the early side

Can you tag on some annual leave the other side of your mat leave to extend time off with baby if that's an issue?

Office worker here. Not due until 5th Feb but planning to finish two weeks before that. Third baby, will be 40. I have a feeling they'll want me to stop at Christmas as it's a natural break but if they want that they can just pay me as normal, I won't be starting my leave!

I took my maternity at 30 weeks. I'm carrying twins which are due to be delivered at 36 weeks and I honestly couldn't continue anymore. Too big, too painful and too tired.

@Newyearsameoldshit I have a 3 year old too! My annual leave refreshes in April so I can take some the other side of mat leave. They would also put me back on a phased return too so I wouldn’t thrown back into the long hours straight away. I may try and hold out a little longer than 32 weeks I think I’m just worried if this baby was early like my last, I may not have a chance to fit in everything I want to!

God you'd be bored stiff finishing at 32 weeks I think. I've had two babies, finished at 38 weeks both times. The first time he was born the day after I finished for mat leave, which wasn't ideal but meant I had all my leave with my baby, the second time he was born at 39 weeks exactly and a weeks break seemed like plenty.

I'm 19 weeks now and will finish at 38 weeks again.

I had a 2 year old while pregnant with DD and started my leave at 36 weeks but was signed off sick from 33 weeks with SPD. I’m a teacher and couldn’t manage the job anymore as I was on crutches.

First time round I worked until 38 weeks.

I'm going to try and work until 38 weeks. Very straightforward pregnancy so far and I just worry I'll get too bored if I go before. I really like my job and it's making the days fly by so feel like that's the right decision for me!

I'm due October 16th and if all goes to plan I will be finishing on September 20th and then using 3 weeks of holiday to take me right up until the week I am due! I do work in a very physical job however so I'm not sure how feasible the plan will be!

I'm due 18th Sept and planning to finish work on 16th! I work from home though so no commute to contend with. I've got annual leave to use but I'm allowed to use it at the end of my maternity leave.

Financially, we can only really afford for me to take 6 months mat leave (SMP only) so I'd rather have the time once baby is here.

@MrFlibblesEyes we're due date buddies (almost!) I'm due on the 17th

I've going on the assumption that ur little one cld be born at 36 wks. I would work up till 35 wks, maybe 34 wks if ur struggling. If u don't go early u are going to be soooo bored.

I worked up to 37 wks last time and plan to do same this time. She was born at 41 wks and I was soooo bored. I was ready for her after a week off and I was really ready after 2 weeks. By 4 wks I was round the bend 😂

I would work to 38wks if I didn't have to commute on public transport. My commutes can be anything from 1hr to 1hr 20 and involve driving and train then 10min walk. Nightmare when ur pregnant.

I'm not due till first week of Novermber but each day I make to work feels like a challenge.
Have already talked it over with the boss, and they are OK with me using all my remaining holidays before maternity leave starts.
In my head I am telling myself I only need to make it to the end of September, but really I am hoping that I get signed off sooner.

I'm 37+5 and leave this week at 38 weeks.

I left slightly earlier with my first who was late so felt I was twiddling my thumbs a bit. Feeling it a lot more this time though and will be nice to spend time at home with toddler before baby comes (watch this one will be on time!)

I finished at 37 weeks. 39 weeks now and he still isn't here and I am so bored, glad I didn't go any earlier!

@Babynumerodos I had this quandary too. I’m currently pregnant with my second and have done things completely different this time around. With my first I worked until 38 weeks, but this time I finished at 31 weeks, comprised of four weeks annual leave and then mat leave after that. Others posters have said they’d be bored, but I’m loving it!

I’m doing things at a slower pace, sleeping as necessary, lunch with friends and family. It’s just lovely as we don’t get many opportunities in life to be truly indulgent and focus on our health and well-being, which is what I’m using the time for - I’ve also booked in mummy to be pamper sessions etc, hypnobirthing and other gym sessions. It’s as boring or as fun as you make it.

I also have a four year old who is at nursery full time and attends wrap around sessions, so it’s lovely to have me time.

Do what’s right for you. Good luck.

Dc1 I had SPD very early on so was off sick from around 22/24weeks anyway so was made to take very early maternity leave - can’t honestly remember being bored but I was determined to be in better shape for birth so was constantly doing all the exercises my weekly physio gave me!
Dc2 went off around 32 weeks because I fainted all the time at work but tagged my annual leave on the beginning. Again I can’t remember being bored but having said that I was pregnant straight after having dc1 and due to all the extra Mat leave before I had him I went back when he was quite young! My extra time off was used up looking after him so again not bored!
Dc3 was a complete surprise so worked up until 10pm the night before I had him, had nothing prepared at all, but wouldn’t have changed a thing 🤣
This time round I’m 35 weeks and still working! It’s getting really difficult now, especially in the heat! Planned on working up until my consultant app next Friday BUT a colleague has thrown a spanner in the works and is off last week of July & first week of August, so looks like I may still be working then (hopefully with reduced hours 🤞🏻) and then I’ll be ready to pop if I haven’t already done so! Trying to get in some last minute preparations now just in case this baby decides to make an earlier appearance and I wasn’t prepared due to all the working 🤣

I think you could get some kind of doctors note to enforce 9-5 hours and not 9-9. Why are they such long shifts? That's not normal office work.

I worked until 36 weeks last time. I had a week of Christmas fun and then was bored AF until baby arrived at 41 weeks. This time I'm going at 38+3 unless baby arrives early.

I’ve finished today and baby is coming by c section in 9 days. I feel fine so wanted to work as long as possible

I'm due 5th November and due to finish on the 11th. I'm using 2 weeks holiday and my mat leave starts on 28th October. I'd finish earlier if I could but more because I'm not loving my job right now than because I think I'll struggle. I'm lucky I can work from home if needed but even then it can be hard to keep going mentally