When to go on maternity leave

[kekouan]

Hi,
First time I've posted here, although I've been lurking for a while.

I'm due on 21st November, so 28 weeks at the moment. I was wondering when is normal for maternity leave? I was originally planning on going at about 36 weeks (I have a long commute and don't think I'll fit in my car after that!) but I've been getting so unbelieveably tired the last couple of weeks that i don't think I'm going to make it that long.

Is it worth starting mat leave a couple of weeks earlier, so you can enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy, or is it better to hold out as long as you can so you have the extra time to enjoy with your baby?

Sorry this is so long...

Reading this thread has really helped me - I've been contemplating maternity leave for a while now and I'm really starting to feel ready to go - but I feel guilty about thinking about going so early...

I'm now 28+3 weeks and was thinking about going at the end of this month which will make me 33 weeks when I go.

Saying that - I don't plan on returning to work in a hurry (for various reasons) and I am also on my own so have quite a bit left to prepare for. In addition, my journey to work is 1/2 an hour each way before the 15 min walk to and from the office - I'm shattered!!

Any views? Opinions would be really helpful. Thanks.

Think everyones covered it that its a personal choice especially if you have a long commute - with ds I left at 38 wks and had him a week later, to be honest that was perfect as I'd just got to the point of finishing the painting, baby stuff and the house was sparkling and I was getting very bored - the bit inbetween working and being a mum is a bit of a limbo. This time I'm leaving at 38 wks and taken two wks hols so my mat leave starts on my due date this is so I can have more time after baby is born with both lo's and I'm due 18th dec so if I tack some holiday on end of leave next year I can delay coming back til after xmas (if I decide to come back)
Only thing I'd reccomend is try and get dh/dp to take a couple of days off soon and do sometime lovely for a few days (plus they can get loads of sleep) we did that just before ds arrived and it was nice just to have those last few days of us time

My opinion, start it early. If you decide to go back to work after leave is over, then I reckon the wrench will be just as bad when bub is 11 months as when they are 12 months old.
I worked from home from 32 weeks onwards and started my mat leave at 34 weeks. And it has been heavenly! By 36 weeks, I had everything done and now intend to spend the rest of the time napping, reading etc. I figure this is the last time I will have the chance for so much 'me' time.

i finished teaching at 37 weeks. it was really hard working that long with a class of 5 yr olds but i'm glad i did it because i found 3 weeks at home pretty dull!

I started ML at 35 weeks as am a nurse in a cancer ward and it is very heavy but had 5 weeks holiday to take so actually stopped at 30 weeks and just did two 6hour overtime shifts per week until 35 weeks. Was really glad to stop then.

V glad that I stopped as father in law is ill so it lets me run around after him without tiring myself out completely.

Kathxx

Spoke to work today and told them I'm going at 33 weeks - they were pretty good about it and understood so just counting down now!!