When should I start my maternity leave?

[yelyahyoung]

Hi ladies we are due our first baby on 25th Feb next year. I am a boat builder but have been moved around different departments since telling them I was pregnant at about 7 weeks due to the chemicals we use and other risks.
I got moved to stores where I had no job but to sit there (as it’s already someone else’s job), then to our security hut where I had no job but to sit and look out of the window (as it’s already someone else’s job), and now I am in purchasing. This office work is more than what I have been doing and I’m allocated my own desk and computer. Not much work but it’s better than what it has been. It’s really not me though, no offence to anyone who enjoys office jobs but I can’t stand sitting down all day and working on a computer! I’m very energetic and hands on and prefer building the things! In terms of physical strain and exhaustion...it’s actually pretty tiring going up and down the stairs, extra walking because I am not allowed in certain parts of the factories because of chemicals, and then the strain on my back from the bloody chair lol. And to be honest sitting there on the computer is making me even more tired. It’s crazy! Lol!
Anyway... my question is when should I start my maternity leave? My partner and I work at the same place and he has suggested the beginning of January. That will be 8 weeks before our due date. Is that a bit extreme? As I have no idea! I’m not too concerned about being bored as it certainly can’t be any more mind numbingingly boring than it has been LOL and I’ll have more to do at home than at work, and I’m not TOO concerned about the money side of things. I guess the only thing that concerns me is my return to work. This is because we are not sure what we want to do yet and will decide closer to the time what will work best for us as a family. But for the time being I am putting 8 months (the paid amount of leave) on my maternity form. So baby would only be 8 months when/if I go back to work! Makes me sad already, lol!

Please help!! I’m crap at making decisions like these lol. Many thanks in advance

Well if you start leave 2 months before your due date then 8 months leave will see you going back when baby is 6 mo. That's assuming s/he comes on time (Dd was 13.5 days late). If it was me, I'd stick it out as long as possible to maximise the time you'll have off after the birth.

I have to say that it's surprisingly hard to be in a job where you feel like you have nothing to do - I've slowly started handing over my responsibilities and have three weeks left and I'm finding it increasingly tiring and makes the days really long. I work in payroll so once I hand over the actual processing, everything else that comes with it later on in the week goes too.

I am well aware that I shouldn't complain and it's not really a complaint but I really do have to keep focusing on the fact that the more time I last this side, the more time I get with the baby. For me it's not just about time with the baby but also money as I really want to have as long as possible with them without leaving ourselves short.

If they are willing to pay you and allow you to work while doing a different role that is not necessarily what you are qualified for or enjoy doing, then I'd try and stick it out as long as possible. Do you qualify for holiday pay that you could use to finish early without sacrificing maternity pay and time? Maybe a compromise of 4 weeks early?

I will be finishing when I'm 37 weeks plus 5 days and that's because I kept 2 weeks annual leave to use and the plan is to start my maternity on due date.

Do you have any annual leave to use up? I had loads so took it immediately before my my maternity so was able to go at 34 weeks. I too was quite restricted with what tasks I could do, and that combined with SPD and a miserable pregnancy, I just couldn't physically fulfil lots of other parts of my job. It is horrible just sitting there clock watching, time drags so slowly. But I really would try and hold out as long as possible, the earlier you go, the less time you have at home with your baby and your baby will be younger on your return

I’ll be having my section hopefully 2nd Jan and I am finishing when we break up on the 20th December. I worked to 38weeks with previous babies as well as the longer I left it meant more time off with the baby. Do you have holiday you can use before the maternity? X

I finished a week before all of mine. Had six months off and I found that worked nicely. Personally I'd go as long as possible, my babies were all late and I hated waiting around at home.

Go as long as possible, mine was due on 10th January so I finished work on Christmas Eve, she was then 2 weeks late so I was a month in before I even gave birth

As your a boatbuilder wouldn't you be more suited to the sales or refits office rather than accounts?

Another vote for working as long as possible! I would plan to finish at 37 weeks.

My baby was due 11th July,
I booked 3 weeks holiday before my maternity leave, my Mat leave started 3rd of June, I ended up having a c-section on 27th of June so was kind of glad I left early 😊

My baby is due 19th February and my maternity is due to start 31st january. I will try and go further if possible. My job is office based so nothing to strenuous. Apart from hyperemesis at the beginning of my pregnancy and still sick most days I'm actually feeling okay. I plan to take 12 months off and would like the most of that spent with my baby.

Hi!

I work in HR and you shouldn't feel you have to take your mat leave out of boredom. Of course, your employer has a duty of care to you and has to make reasonable adjustments (usually in roles like yours, it would mean doing a more office based job unfortunately) but perhaps you could have a chat with them about the content of your work?

I'm heading off on mat leave in 6 weeks (I'm due in 9). I planned on working right up until the week before but, as time has gone one, I am fed up of the commute and I want couple of weeks to myself (andddd, in case little miss arrives early). For me, 8 weeks would be too early as you would have to go back early. Saying that, it's your call :-)

I'm finishing up about 4 weeks before I'm due with a weeks holiday to use however that's because of SPD and the pain I'm in. Driving is becoming a horrible painful stressful experience. I had planned to work much closer to my date.

Hey I'm due the day before you and you're due on my birthday 🍰

I'm leaving Feb 14th. I'm a clinical lead in a psychiatric residential service and am quite desk based but obviously it has its moments of being quite draining.

I've said I'll see how I get on but if I'm not managing I'll go earlier. I want to work up to as close as I can but I love my job !

I'm planning on working till 38+6 if I can

Agree with everyone else. Go as late as you can. Every week you take off before birth is a week you lose at the other end. I’m having my 3rd by cs on around the 3 Feb. I’ll finish two weeks before that to have a bit of a rest. I know I’ll want those extra weeks with the baby.

I’m an exception it seems.. I went off at 35 weeks with baby one & it’ll be 36 weeks with this one. Mine is because of the amount of annual leave I have (30 days & bank holidays). I’m expected to use it during the year I go off in my job. Last time, I was due in May and finished at the end of March. I took 5 weeks annual leave and my maternity started the day before my due date. I then had a year off maternity! I actually loved my time off before baby arrived. I pottered around getting a long overdue list of jobs done, some minor bits of decorating and house sorting (my kitchen cupboards were so organised 😂).. I enjoyed days watching box sets if I was tired, I went for walks & lunch with my recently retired parents, saw friends off on their maternity leaves or part time.. I just felt really relaxed, organised & prepared for baby. But I guess that’s just me, I’m quite happy in my own company and mentally, I was glad to completely decompress from a hectic year at work!

I think perhaps your main thing is thinking about the time you’ll get after baby is here.. if you are doing 8 months & go off in Jan, you’ll only get 6 months with baby, so potentially in your case it may be bette to push working as far as you can get!

I would carry on for as long as you can so you have the time after with your baby. Don’t make yourself exhausted but equally I would try to stay until at least 36 weeks.

@Bol87 in reality though your actual Mat Leave didn't start until you were due. Holiday isn't the same!

I have 33 days leave + BH a year but take it at the end of my Mat leave

I’m due on a Wednesday and finishing the Friday before. Want as much time with baby as possible.