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

Original poster

When did you go on Maternity leave

17 replies

Vickiejo · 17/09/2019 11:27

Hello

So I work as a nursery practitioner full time doing 4 ten hour shifts over the week, my pregnancy has been going smooth however I just find I’m exhausted all the time & have been suffering with RLS, I’m planning on going on maternity at 36 weeks.. I was wondering if this is to early or late? Should I go earlier? When did everyone go on maternity?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

KiaraN83 · 17/09/2019 11:55

How many weeks are you now?
At first I was planning on going a week before due date (so I got longer off with DD) but when I got to about 32 weeks I was so tired and felt dizzy and really couldn’t focus!
I spoke to my manager who allowed me to do admin duties instead for the remaining time (I was a train dispatcher before)
Got to 35 weeks and decided I’m taking it now! Luckily I also went into labour at 37 weeks haha
Is it a possibility for you to do reduced hours or restricted duties? Or maybe use any remaining holiday entitlement?
I sympathise though as I know how sluggish you feel working full time at that stage, it’s truly knackering x

stripes416 · 17/09/2019 12:17

Hi I work in a nursery too and with my second I left a lot earlier than my first. With my first it was around 37 or 38 weeks but with my second it was 32 weeks. I just found I was struggling more and it didn't seem worth staying on longer when I was feeling really run down with it all. Listen to your body and make your own decision about it, don't leave it too long feeling like you can't go yet because it might be too early if you feel you would benefit from it. Working with young children while pregnant is hard work and also it's the time of the year when the children will start getting all sorts of bugs

wineymummy · 17/09/2019 15:48

With my first I intended to work almost up to due date, ended up going into labour at 37+4 so that was that.

I had similar feelings of wanting to maximise my time with the baby. Actually now I think you it's definitely worth maximising your time pre-baby! Post-baby is exhausting...enjoy that time beforehand and get some rest.

janinlondon · 17/09/2019 15:55

When I was 10cm dilated.....

Bol87 · 17/09/2019 16:46

I went off at 34 weeks with my first, will be 35 weeks with my current. I am expected to try & use my annual leave before I go off, so I had loads to take!

I know technically I have more options with annual leave but my company pay 6 months full pay on mat leave so I’m not making a fuss!

In all honesty, I was grateful to finish. I have an office job and was so uncomfortable at my desk. Constantly up and down & knackered from not sleeping well at night. It must be so much harder on your feet all day! I enjoyed a few weeks of lie ins, naps, lunches with my mum, I did lots of washing, hoovering, cleaning. I watched movies, box sets and to be honest, really enjoyed myself! It was a lovely, relaxing lead up to labour & newborn life

Ohmydaysmate · 17/09/2019 16:52

I work in a school and I’m going off on the October half term so I will be around 37 ish weeks but I’m thinking that might be too late now. I’m so tired too and don’t do near half the hours you do. Don’t forget you will need to rest up before your chick arrives.

SRK16 · 17/09/2019 16:58

I’m technically starting mat leave at 39 weeks, but at my place of work we have to use all annual leave for the year before starting mat leave. I hadn’t used any leave so finished at 36 weeks. I’m so glad I finished then, I’m shattered and would have been happy to finish at 34 weeks! It’s hard to know how you’ll feel, but I’ve really valued having some time to relax and organise things for baby’s arrival.

Bunnybigears · 17/09/2019 17:00

I finished at 38 weeks both times but it was a desk job so not that bad.

melissa1215 · 17/09/2019 17:00

On Friday I finish and I'll be 37+5 I'm having a planned csection at 39 weeks so I'll have just over a week to myself to prepare the house... i work in an office, baby is very, very big and I'm really feeling the strain especially with not sleeping well

orangejuicer · 17/09/2019 18:02

I went at 35 weeks which was a week earlier than I'd planned because I was exhausted and couldn't do the commute anymore.

AutumnGlitterBall · 17/09/2019 18:58

First time I had been in a Mon-Fri 9-5 post, I finished up at 37 weeks and baby arrived on due date. Second time, I went at 36 weeks as I was working shifts, had the toddler and was knackered and sick constantly. Baby didn’t wait for the elective section and came a week early.

Fluffsmum · 17/09/2019 19:01

39 weeks with DC1, wasn't early enough- he was born at 38+1!

Went at 34 with DC2, 2 weeks annual leave so actually started maternity at 36 weeks. Was lovely. She came at 37+4!

PrincessHoneysuckle · 17/09/2019 20:01

30 weeks I was knackered

YouBoggleMyMind · 17/09/2019 20:03

38+4. DS arrive at 39+3 xxx

Piplette · 17/09/2019 22:22

36+1 first time and delivered at 39 weeks.

This time had intended to work til 35+3 but I'm knackered at 33 weeks. Also have low iron, gestational diabetes and polyhydramnios and will be either induced a week early or at due date so decided to finish at 34+2 using holidays to take me to about 38 weeks.

My commute is pretty easy and it's a desk job but demands high levels of concentration which I just don't have anymore. Can't wait to finish and relax for a bit and spend time with DD!

Doxielover1 · 17/09/2019 22:29

I’m finishing at 35 weeks then using two weeks of annual leave with maternity leave officially starting at 37 - lots of people have said to make the most of having time to myself before baby comes along, so I’m looking forward to that!

PushkinTheCat · 18/09/2019 11:19

First time I was working full time and went at 37 weeks; baby was two weeks late so that felt like ages but not sure I could have lasted the commute (1hr 10) much longer.

This time round, I’m expecting to go at 35 weeks but have PGP and am in a huge amount of pain so am questioning whether I will make it that far along given the 1hr 30-1hr 45 commute each way.

Flip