Mat leave - too soon?

[NewMama2Be]

I'm a FTM and planning to finish up at 35 weeks, I've then got a week of annual leave before my mat leave officially starts at 36 weeks.
I remember initially choosing the date and feeling like it might be too early but, as it approaches, I'm actually looking forward to it. I have a desk based job so not overly taxing but it's still a bit of a struggle with aches, pains and generally feeling exhausted all the time.
A few people have commented that its early to be finishing up and it's got in my head, niggling away at me even though I know I shouldn't let it.
Interested to know what others have done?

I went at 36 weeks with my first, who then didn’t appear until 42 weeks and it was far far too soon, especially when it came to going back.

I went at 39 + 5 with number 2 and 39 + 6 with number 3 (both of whom were born at 42 weeks) and that was much much better.

I’m going at 38 weeks and keep getting “your cutting it fine!” So I don’t think you can win either way! I also have a desk job but have so far had a very easy and straight forward pregnancy so felt going later was better for me. Starting to regret my choice now I’m 34 weeks pregnant and on the count down haha

I finished at about 36/37 weeks with my first and 34 weeks with my youngest. I was mentally and physically ready both times.

Yes it's nice to have the time off work with the baby. But it's also nice to enjoy those last few weeks before baby arrives. If you have the energy go out and do things you won't get the chance to do again for a while. If you're knackered make the most of being able to rest. Read, watch some box sets. It's likely to be the last time you'll have around four weeks to utterly spend on yourself.

My mat leave started on my due date and ds came 3 days later. 36 would have been far too early for me but I'm not the type to like sitting around without having anything to do.
You could possibly have 6 weeks of waiting before your baby is born.

I’m planning on leaving at 36 , it’ll be on my birthday. I hate my job though, it’s so mind numbingly boring and I have my degree to be getting on with and could do with getting ahead before he arrives

I'd say 35 wks is too soon, unless u have a really long commute or haven't been keeping very well. U will be soooo bored. How long are you taking off as it obviously eats in to ur time with baby.

I have an hour commute on the train to work and I finished at 37wks. Would have stayed till 38wks if I cld have just drove the car in but not an option.

I really thought she'd come early 😂 but I was induced at 41wks. After a week I was ready for her to come and after 2 weeks was starting to get a bit bored. I was round the bend for the last 2wks.

It depends what type of person you are and who is around to keep you company I think. If you like the mental stimulation and social interaction of work, finishing at 35 weeks might be a bit of a mistake. If you’ve got plenty to do and keep you going it should be fine. I finished at 37 and must admit it felt too early. I had to set myself tasks each day just so I had something to do as all my friends were at work and busy! I don’t do well just sitting still.

Something to consider: if you are only having ordinary maternity leave (26 weeks) I think you might regret not saving more time for after baby's born especially as you could go nearly 2 weeks overdue so would have 7 weeks of free time.
If you are taking 9 months to a year as leave and can amuse yourself waiting for baby to arrive then you should definitely go for it. Whatever better for you and your pregnancy.
For my first pregnancy I had 2 weeks holiday and started mat leave at 38 weeks... Baby was 10 days late. I was bored with it being 6 weeks...
2nd pregnancy I had 2 weeks holiday first and gave birth 50 minutes into first day of maternity leave at 38 weeks...
You just can't tell which way it's going to go so make best decision for you...

I went off at 37, finished on a friday, my waters broke the following Tuesday so essentially had one day to myself. Felt a bit cheated ha!

I went at 35 weeks and it was lovely to just chill out and not think about work. I am the type of person that is happy watching TV all-day or just being about the house so it worked great for me! Would you get bored? Do you still have stuff to sort for baby?

My first baby came at 36 weeks. In the place I worked at the time I had my last shift on the Thursday and then went into labour on the Saturday morning. I felt like I had no time to myself so this time I’m taking mat leave earlier. I’ll be going off about 34/35 weeks. I’m taking the full year off so would still get plenty of time with baby and also have time to spend with my son before his little brother or sister comes along. I’m 28 weeks at the moment and I work in office and find sitting down all day so uncomfortable so I can’t wait to leave. There’s lots of added pressure in my role at the moment which I could do without so the sooner I go off the better. Also with the hours I work i’m Sometimes in til 9pm at night which I can’t change yet and if they allow me to it may mean working an extra day which would be just as bad.
I personally would rather be bored for a few weeks than finish 2 days before going into labour but everyone is different and you just never know when you’ll be in labour so it’s hard.
Is there any way you can see how you feel nearer the time and if you feel you can just delay it by a week or two?

36 is about right imho

How do you feel just now? Could you keep working? If yes would your employer allow you to change date? If also yes then you have something to think about. Otherwise just look forward to mat leave.

If you can move it I would try for an extra couple of weeks as maximising your time with baby before going back is what you will want when your baby is here.

Thanks everyone, I feel much better about it now I've read all your comments.
I'm planning to take a year so wont be due to go back until around October time next year. I do only get 6 weeks pay before moving onto stat though so that is a consideration too of course.
I feel ready to finish though and hopefully enjoy getting some more sleep / daytime naps, going for little walks and generally just getting 'ready' for babys arrival!

I have nearly 5 weeks holiday still left to take
Hopefully I can save them and take that before my actual maternity leave starts
Then next year I’ll be able to use some of that years leave to extend it further

Everyone will have an opinion on whether it's too late/too early.

I stopped at 37+3. I had intended to stay as long as possible but it was warm that week and I was gazing outside thinking it would be much better for my health if I could get out for a walk during the day. I also started to get some swelling in my feet which completely went away once I went off.

I've had two weeks off now and enjoyed every moment, I'll won't have this time alone again for a very long time! Take your time, enjoy yourself, stay active, sleep well

I finished at 36 weeks and was all ready for some relaxing time before the baby arrived, she came 7 days later and I really wish I'd finished earlier as I struggle the last 2 weeks of work.

I finished at 29 weeks, the earliest you can do.

I'm finishing at 37 weeks this time and using leave to start mat leave on due date but with DS2 it was An awful pregnancy so I was gone by 36 weeks.
Loved having time to
Sleep and rest before he arrived (early at 38 weeks)

DS1 I stayed until 38 weeks and he came at 42 so I essentially lost a month mat leave the other side and had to go back when he was 5 months old

I intended to finish at 38 weeks but became poorly at 36 weeks so finished then. I was induced so dd came bang on 40 weeks.
I went to back to work when dd was 13 weeks so wanted to finish as late as possible but her health came first.

Im planning on finishing at 38 weeks but I have quite a physical job and may have to finish early - Im on my feet most of the day. I think it depends on you as a person. I could do with a few weeks off work just to catch up on everything I need to do!

I finished at 39 weeks and had my c-section the next day we were in busy season, so I worked up until the last possible minute. I did work from home for my last week though.

I would have gone stir crazy just waiting around at home though...

I finished at 34 weeks! I wasn’t able to roll my annual leave (and I get 30 days + bank holidays) so I took the whole of April & the first week of May as annual leave! Then my mat leave started the week of my due date. My daughter was a week late.

Honestly, I loved it I was very achey & found sitting at my desk uncomfortable. I’m a fairly laid back person, quite happy in my own company. I watched lots of box sets that my other half wouldn’t like & my house was spotless! My mum has just retired, so we went on little day trips & for lunch and I spent time helping my elderly grandparents make lunch etc. It’s a time I look back on with fondness. 6 weeks of calm before our lives were turned upside down!

This time, it’ll work out a bit different & I’ll have to work up a bit closer (new job) but there we go!

You do what’s right for you!

I finished at 36 weeks but had leave to take so my actual date of starting was my due date. Both DSs turned up late.

Nothing wrong in finishing at 36 as long as you can mange the time the other end. Each pregnancy is different so whatever suits you

I'm finishing a few days before 36 weeks because I live in a country where you have to go a month before. I would preferred to work at least until 38 weeks but not an option here. As the others have said, am now looking at it positively as a time for me to get everything ready and just relax before life inevitably changes!