When to take maternity leave

[SamSamA]

Im 5 months pregnant and work nights in a warehouse, 7 hours a night 4 days a week. My job is meant to involve heavy lifting, which I don't do anymore as I'm on restricted duties due to being pregnant but I'm still on my feet for 90% of my shift.

My plan was to start my maternity leave 2 weeks before my due date. I did this with my son 5 years ago and I think was fine but at the time I was working in a job where I was sat down all the time.

I'm planning on going on maternity leave for as long as I'm paid so for 9 months but I'm giving a month of that to my partner. So I want to start my maternity leave as late as possible to spend us much time as I can with my baby.

Does anyone think this would be physically doable this time around, leaving only two weeks before due date, when working in a warehouse? Honestly can't remember how I felt in the last month of my pregnancy last time.

My maternity is due to start 22nd June. I'm due 7th July. I'm using up my annual leave before my leave so hoping the start of June but yet to get a definite date. I'm also on my feet the whole shift, with SPD x

I worked nights as a labourer while I was pregnant and worked up to 37 weeks but i had a really easy pregnancy and a tiny bump. Staying as active as possible is supposed to help witb labour.

I worked until I was 38.5 weeks and 2.5 days before I was induced.

I took mine at 29weeks, not for any reason in particular, I just wanted time for me tbh

I’m due mid May and I’m leaving for maternity on 17th March (I’ll be nearly 32 weeks). I was going to stick it out until two weeks prior but I’ve had such a rough pregnancy I genuinely don’t have anything left to give to work and I’m struggling. Do what feels best for you!

I just started my leave, I'm 32 weeks.

Don't regret it as I know my limits.

I guess if you think you can handle it, it's fine. Just keep an open mind to see how you feel towards the end.

I plan on working up to 39 weeks but only because I work from home and have a desk job, so no commute and can make myself as comfy as I need to. Otherwise I'd probably stop around now (I'm 36+2) due to all the different aches and discomforts.

I think it completely depends on you and your circumstances. With my first, pregnancy was straightforward even though he was huge (just shy of 10lbs). Worked until 38 weeks with him. This time I’m finishing at 34 weeks. Mainly due to a combination of these factors:

• Awful pregnancy with major health complications so predicted I’ll have baby 35-37 weeks.
• Having quality time with my LB and helping him adjust. I work full-time and my driving includes at least a basic commute of 30 miles round trip, so it’s a very long working week that takes me away a lot.

*60 miles round trip (30 each way)