Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

When did you trigger your maternity leave?

37 replies

Rubberyduck · 16/09/2019 09:12

I am planning to go at 34 weeks and use a few weeks annual leave, I will trigger maternity leave at 37 weeks. I am now wondering if that sounds early! Last time I triggered on due date but now I am part time and have Dc1 at home for 3 weeks over Christmas before the birth in January, I cant imagine I will get any time to myself otherwise....

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

blackcat86 · 16/09/2019 09:16

I was aiming for 38 weeks but ended up going at 34 due to issues in the pregnancy. It was the height of summer and I knew it would be tricky but said I would go later after persuasion from my boss. That was a mistake as I ended up going off in a rush. You have sound plan and good reasons so I would stick with that.

user159 · 16/09/2019 09:19

I left bang on 38 weeks but wish I'd stayed longer as I was very late. That being said, I don't have any other children and going from a full on job to nearly 4 weeks at home alone was pretty intense. If you're due in January does 34 weeks mean finishing at Christmas? Sounds silly but this would def help me decide. I went back for 5 days after Christmas before mat leave and kind of wish I just started my leave straight after that hols. Good luck!

Dandelion1993 · 16/09/2019 09:24

I finished at 37 weeks.

It gave me a few weeks to spend time with my eldest and get the house in order!

Jollitwiglet · 16/09/2019 09:26

In my first pregnancy I was about 36 weeks.

This pregnancy I have 2 jobs. One my maternity leave starts at 34 weeks and the other on my due date. I have taken minimal annual leave this year so I will have stopped working completely by 36 weeks. I have a challenging job in an environment that's not very pregnancy friendly and having a miserable pregnancy so would like some quality time with my toddler

melissa1215 · 16/09/2019 09:27

I'm finishing at 37+5 this Friday we have a c-section booked for 39 weeks so it'll be nice to have a week to myself to sort everything out but this is my first pregnancy and baby is really big already and I'm struggling so much. Work have made my last week into 10am-4pm rather than 8-6 and are being really supportive

I do wish I went off at 36 weeks purely for the lack of sleep, anxiety and general uncomfortableness

Cuppa12345 · 16/09/2019 09:28

My first I did my due date and had 2 weeks AL to leave at 38 weeks. I had my baby at 41 weeks.

This time I'm starting mat leave at 39 weeks and taking 1 weeks leave to also go at 38 weeks but it's a struggle this time. I'm 30 weeks now and wondering how long I can juggle working full time, the 1 year old and everything else!

I don't know why but I resent using up my limited full pay (9 weeks) before the baby is even born!

TheCraicDealer · 16/09/2019 09:32

Today is my first day of mat leave, I finished up on Friday at 38+2. I have breezed through this pregnancy but it's starting to take a toll physically and I was ready to stop a few weeks ago tbh.

crazycatbaby · 16/09/2019 09:33

I finished around 38 weeks last time (hairdresser) but was doing 3 days a week at that point I think. This time I'm having a planned c section and not sure when to finish, probably 2 weeks before my section? I'm going to play it by ear and see how I feel I think

secretlyhermione · 16/09/2019 09:47

I'm finishing today and am at 35+4, but that's because I live in a country where you have to take mat leave one month before your due date. That being said, I'm ready to take it easier as bump is getting quite big and baby feels quite engaged already!

Original poster

Rubberyduck · 16/09/2019 09:49

I was going to leave on the 5th which would give me 2 weeks which is actually only 6 days by myself (I work 3days a week and care for son the rest) . I then have my son until the 7th January which is week 39 and I am expected to be booked in for c section that week. Does that seem selfish? Just realistically those few weeks a over Christmas are going to be chaos trying to rest with a 2yo. I need to speak to work tomorrow but I know it won't go down well. They assumed I would leave Christmas eve ish but then I will have no break at all

OP posts:

megsmoo179 · 16/09/2019 10:01

I was really bad!! I went for a scan on the Thursday and triggered my maternity leave on the Friday at 38 weeks because they induced me! I was really hectic and busy at work and they didn't have my replacement starting for another 4 weeks!!!!! I wish I had taken some time for myself

tisonlymeagain · 16/09/2019 10:07

Planning on leaving at 38 weeks, mid January. Baby won't be late as I've been told I won't go past my due date.

Hopex3 · 16/09/2019 11:16

your work shouldnt be assuming anything - you are entitled to leave when you want/feel you need up to the 11 weeks before. I am leaving at 33 weeks using some annual leave and then maternity kicks in about 2 weeks before my due date. I feel justified leaving this early as I suffer with extreme anxiety and severe heartburn/sciatica nerve pain means I really dont sleep well which makes me feel crap during the day which intensifies my existing anxiety. take the time you want and need is my opinion x

Frizzy1986 · 16/09/2019 11:44

Do whatever you want to do. If you want some time to yourself then have some, lounge on the sofa, watch TV, go to the cinema.
There is no right or wrong answer.

I finished at 36+5 last time and had some holiday to use meaning maternity would kick in around 39 weeks. Dd appeared at 37+4 though so didn't get much time to myself to rest or relax (labour started at 37+0)

My maternity leave started at 36+6 this time as I didn't have any holiday to use and wanted to make sure I got some time for me and for dd before this one appeared. I'm now 37+6 and no signs yet. So ill probably be bored and overdue and question if I should've worked longer.

But you know what I was tired, bored with work, not sleeping and know what is about to come so it's nice to have some time for me.

TequilaMockingbird0 · 16/09/2019 11:48

First time round I planned to finish at 37 weeks but baby arrived before so I had no time off

Second time I went at 33 assuming they'd also be early but I'd get at least a couple of weeks to relax. 6 weeks later I'm pushing 39 weeks and desperate for them to arrive!

inwood · 16/09/2019 11:48

Spontaneous labour at 31 weeks screwed all my plan up! Was planning on holiday for 2 weeks then ml starting at 37.

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 16/09/2019 11:49

I'm 29+5 and planning on taking mat leave from 37+5. I've had SPD for months, haven't slept well since March and have generally had enough already so I don't feel bad about wanting a rest. Growing a person, it turns out, is hard work.

crazymuseummumtobe · 16/09/2019 12:22

I'm due on 23 Jan. Planning on 'leaving work' the Friday before Christmas (20 Dec) and using annual leave until Friday 10 Jan. Mat Leave will kick in on Monday 13 Jan at 38+4 weeks.

It's my first, so I know baby may well be late, but I have over an hour's commute each way, inc. about 35 mins of walking, so I have no desire to go back after Christmas and be dealing with dark mornings and evenings, and icy pavements!

Mintjulia · 16/09/2019 12:51

I had two weeks holiday due so took them at 37 weeks, and went on maternity leave at 39 weeks. It was first baby with no health issues so no reason to expect an early delivery.

Dontbsicily · 16/09/2019 13:04

I'm finishing on Friday at 38+1 but, I'm tempted to continue another week because, I feel fine and all of my baby prep is done!

However, my friend has finished at 34 weeks due to severe SPD and sickness. I feel guilty because, my pregnancy has been a breeze compared to hers! She also has a DD already and I am a first time Mum so, I think that makes a big difference with regards to fatigue and preparation!

I don't think there is a right answer for anyone. My midwife is always saying 'Listen to your body'. I have had a couple of afternoons that I have gone home early from work and had to rest because, I have overdone it a bit. Everyone is different.

BigusBumus · 16/09/2019 13:06

I left at 38 weeks on a friday. Had the weekend off and gave birth early on the monday having thought i would have 2-4 weeks to relax and prepare. That was first baby.

Second time around i left at 35 weeks and it was lovely. (Different husband and significantly more money though, first time round we were skint).

Missmonkeypenny · 16/09/2019 13:33

I’ll be taking annual leave for two weeks at 35 weeks with maternity leave starting at 37 weeks.

NewMumToB3 · 16/09/2019 13:50

Great to see what everyone else is doing!

At the moment I finish work the Friday (39+4) before my Tuesday due date (with AL on the Monday). I've got annual leave banked that I can use before then, but am playing it by ear to see how I go.

I'm 31 weeks now and feeling really well, but I don't doubt it'll get more challenging as the next weeks progress.

mistermagpie · 16/09/2019 13:53

First pregnancy I finished at 38 weeks and he was born the next day - bit of a surprise! Second pregnancy I finished at 38 weeks and he was born at 39.

This pregnancy I am also finishing at 38 and bet I'm still waddling around at 42...

I'm always surprised by people finishing at 32-34 weeks, but then I have a desk job so maybe some jobs are tougher to keep up.

Toodlehooo · 16/09/2019 14:02

29weeks!! 😬🙈😂

Flip

1 2