How early should I start my maternity leave?

[Jaimiesmith18]

I work in a day nursery doing 10 hour shifts in a baby room, so it is a quite physical job and would like some advice on how many weeks before my due date I should leave??

Thank you in advance for your advice!

I would try and work as close to your due date as possible.
I'm assuming you'll want the maximum time off with your baby.

With my first I didn't even get to start my mat leave before my son arrived (37+5), and I really regretted not having had any time before the birth - it caused me a lot of stress as there things I needed done at home and I had no rest period before the birth. This time round I am starting my mat leave at 35 weeks (well taking 2 weeks annual leave so officially start maternity leave at 37 weeks). You need to do what is correct for you - if you are tired and struggling start early and if you are ok, start later. You can always request a later date to start mat leave then if you find you are struggling closer to the time then either bring it forward (if your employer lets you) or if you call in sick from week 36 onwards and the sickness is pregnancy related it automatically triggers your maternity leave to start. It is really just dependent on how are you are feeling. I am 29 weeks now and I would honestly start maternity leave tomorrow if I could!

My employer has recommended I start my mat leave 4 weeks before my due date as I have struggled with sickness and SPD and with it being quite a physical job, I think maybe they are right also like you have said it will be good to rest up before baby comes. Thank you for the advice. X

Don't decide just yet just see how you get on. I also work in a nursery and with my first I was able to work until around 37 weeks but with my second it was much much earlier. Every pregnancy is different and some people feel it a lot worse than others. It's hard working in that environment when you're pregnant so just try and take a step back as much as possible and just see how you feel closer to the time

How far gone are you?

So I'm currently 21 weeks pregnant, but already struggling 😔. I think your right though I just need to take a step back a little bit more and let my team take over a little bit more responsibility. I'm just trying to get everything sorted and set in place as I thought I had to give my leave date around now and everyone keeps asking me when I'm due to leave. That's why I thought I'd post on here to get some advice being a first time mum to be.

Get a support belt for your SPD. Have you had a Risk Assessment at work to ascertain what you should or shouldn't be doing?

No one can really know this except you. You know your own body and its limits.
I started my maternity leave today at 37 weeks +1. I'm a nurse that works 10 hour shifts. I think I would've struggled if I stayed longer, as my back is absolutely killing me. A desk job could've enabled me to work longer I think.