When did you go on mat leave? Considering going early

[UterusesBeforeDuderuses]

I'm 29 weeks with baby no.2 and I'm struggling already. I have an 18mo DS and I'm absolutely exhausted, it's so much harder this time round.
Due date is Feb 27 but having a planned csection so I guess will be around mid feb (not booked yet). I've told work I'll work up until the end of our busy season which is jan 31st. I work in an office, not doing much physical stuff during the day but I'm always tired and achey, my stomach and back are killing me, my commute is at least hour/hour and half each way and that's in good traffic. DS was 11lbs and I already feel like this baby is big, I feel so massive and achey already.
Do you think I'd be being unreasonable to leave early? Maybe even not go back after Xmas? I'd feel guilty leaving my colleagues to pick up the slack in our busiest period, but I don't know how I'll cope. Did any of you go on mat leave much earlier than planned?
Thanks for reading, sorry for the essay!

Hi OP, I haven't gone in mat leave early per se, as I have been off sick since beginning of October; I'm due mid January. That said I was going to finish at 34 weeks. I have a 2 year old and although he's in childcare 3 days a week, I have been on my knees like you. It is so much harder second time around. I don't know if I could've made it to 34 weeks tbh, not without lowering expectations. I think you need to go when you feel ready. Someone told me that work will always be there, your health and baby are far more precious, which is good advice I think. There's no point looking back wondering if you shouldve done something differently. That of course includes mental health too, so knowing you have to face the busiest period after Christmas may feel more of a struggle than ever. That said, make sure you are comfortable with any time lost at the end of your leave if you do go earlier.

Best if luck OP, I hope you manage to get some rest!

Went at 32 weeks each time. In a physical clinical job and couldn’t manage any more. Loved my time off before the babies came each time.

Do you have any flexibility to work from home, change your hours temporarily (to avoid rush hour) or take some holiday to break up your week (so take Wednesday off each week). Can work get you a standing desk or back support/ better chair? Ive done a mixture of these with my 3DC and worked up to 40wks-but that's what I wanted to do, and only you know what is best for you and your health.

Also to add a colleague had her baby at 33 weeks and obviously had to go on mat leave early with no notice at our busiest time of the year. All the work got done and there were no complaints from any of the team so you shouldn't feel guilty about that.

I'll start my mat leave at 31 weeks this time.
My previous I started at 32 weeks.

I don't feel guilty about it, it's my right and I know my body and my limits. Although I am self employed but if I was employed I would have done the same.

Don't feel guilty about it, do what you planned.

I went at 36 weeks, I was on my feet all day which was hard but I'm glad I didnt go earlier...

Do what’s best for you and forget work. Yourself and the baby are a priority. No one will thank you.

I went on mat leave at 36 +2 well I used 4 weeks annual leave and mat leave was to start on my due date. Baby was born at 37 weeks and I wished I finished earlier!

I had to go at 32 weeks because my contract ended but it was actually the right time for me. Had already been signed off for a week due to fainting all the time and was constantly knackered, quite a physical job. Do what feels right for you imo

I am expecting twins and going off next week at 31 weeks. It initially felt really early, but I am absolutely done in, so uncomfortable at my desk and not sleeping well at night so just exhausted by the simplest of tasks. If your body is saying it’s time to rest, go for it! Alternatively is there any flexibility to do a week or so from home?

I went really early with both, I think with my youngest it was as early as 25 weeks or so (to be fair I had some study leave and 6 weeks of annual leave to take) with my first it was about 29 weeks, I didn't have a choice in that one. I was still able to stay off until both were 9 months old, I couldn't have done a full year at home with a baby, I was very much ready to go back at 9 months both times. It was great having some time to myself, particularly second time round as a working mum to one to get some 1:1 time with DS before youngest was born. He had 15 free hours at nursery too so I got some nice rest too!!

Would you have ds in childcare still? Because I think looking after an 18 month old is harder than work.

Thank you for your replies! Definitely feeling a bit better about possibly leaving earlier than planned.
DS is going to be in childcare 3 days a week while I'm still pregnant and for the first few months after baby is born, I currently have him on Wednesdays and as a previous poster said, it's sometimes more tiring than working! I definitely underestimated how tiring being pregnant with a toddler is!
I think what some of you said is right, I need to do what feels right for me and for baby

I went at 32 weeks this time- running around after a toddler whilst pregnant is exhausting and I feel much better for having more time off before this one (went at 36 weeks with my first)
You’ll need to check your work policy though, mine required 8 weeks notice for any changes to start or end of mat leave although obviously if baby had come early they’d just have to deal with it

I have a toddler also and am really looking forward to finishing earlier, at 33 weeks. It does feel a lot harder this time around, I’m less fit, have more aches, and am more exhausted because I can’t rest whenever I need to. Do not feel bad for finishing earlier it sounds like you definitely need it!

I fought on to 36+5 and it nearly did me in. You know your limits, do what you need to.

I'm finishing next week at just over 35 weeks. I've been ready to finish for the last 4 weeks, I've had severe pelvic girdle pain and work in a stressful office so it's been mentally exhausting but I've managed to work from home a few days and also use holiday days to shorten my weeks. Maybe speak to your employer about doing something similar but if you feel ready to go, just go! Work can wait and your colleagues won't resent you for that, all that matters is you and the baby being comfortable