When did everyone go on maternity leave

[Mummy2beAT]

Hi everyone I was just wondering how many weeks people were when they started their maternity leave. My maternity pay starts at 35 weeks but I leave a week before as I have holiday. Do you think this is too early. I’m in two minds about wether it’s too early as there is a chance I may be induced 3 weeks early
Thanks

I planned to go at 35+5 as I wanted a couple of weeks to rest but since 27ish weeks I've developed SPD which is becoming more and more painful (also growing a chunk) and I have a 90 minute public transport commute so am finishing next week at 33+5. I'm lucky that I could use my holiday from this year's allowance at the end of my maternity and use a few days from next year's so haven't lost out too much.

Haven’t had a baby yet but I’m going as soon as possible as I hate my job! Will just take annual leave (which I incur whilst on mat leave) to spend longer with my baby... go back for the 3 month requirement so I don’t have to pay the money back and then I’m going to resign 😂😂

Finished at 37 but used 3 weeks annual leave. Freaking really tired so glad to be on mar leave and when lots to do at home.

I finished at 36 weeks. Anyone in my office who stayed longer always ended up having the baby before starting mat leave! I had nearly 2 weeks; DD was born at 38 weeks so glad.

I stopped at 34 weeks, 2 weeks annual leave and then technically stat mat leave started at 36, baby came at 36 weeks so I'm very pleased I took it early! I was exhausted and wanted the time to get my head around becoming a mum!

I finished 4 weeks before my due date with my first, I was huge (almost 10lb baby) and struggling and worked in a nursery, it was getting to the point where I couldn't actually do anything useful, I LOVED the time I had at home by myself it was so relaxing, someone said to me "enjoy this time and take time for you because you never get it again even if you go on maternity leave again it's not the same" and it really stuck with me!
My sister finished 2 weeks before the baby was due and had him the day after she finished!

I’m planning on finishing next week at just over 38 weeks. I work in a preschool and I’m exhausted - I should have finished this week in hindsight but wanted more time off with the baby!

@feelinghelplesstoday - I am, but working for the US company that only gives legal minimum of 6w. They upped it for additional 2w+permission to use annual leave because I am in the exec. management but that's it. I know I could use more but my DH has a good career in a field that doesn't pay much - so I don't feel I have a choice but to go back to work.

My last day was Thursday at 37+6. I've got two weeks annual leave (can't carry it over to next year) and maternity leave starts on 9th Dec (3 days after due date). Bored already

I finished at 30w, I had 4 weeks of holiday to take too.
I only finished this early because I had no intention of going back to work after baby was born and I felt very unwell throughout my pregnancy.

I finished at 36 weeks - I worked in a school and it coincided with the holidays otherwise I would have probably tried to do an extra week or two. I’m glad I didn’t - DS arrived at 38 weeks exactly. So I’m keeping that in mind for next time and would definitely have my maternity leave at 36 weeks again, maybe even 35. I was pretty knackered by 36 weeks to be fair and struggled with the drive to work because DS was right up in my ribs.

I finished when I went into labour.

My work let me work from home for the last month so it was great.

@Aneley I'm fairly certain that employment law is bound by where the work takes place not where the company is from

It is. But the UK mat leave has only 6w with 90% pay and then up to 26w on SMP (+ additional 26w unpaid) which would not be financially feasible for us, unfortunately. My company offers only the bare minimum as paid leave.