Need some advice on mat leave and work - feeling down

[ttcchapter1]

Currently 25 weeks, returned to work last month after being off for furlough and was moved to another department. I only actually started at this workplace at the beginning of the year.

This new department is quite isolating, don't really speak to anyone, in a room thats quite to the side and also, its just not as busy department wise either.

Tempted to now take my maternity leave earlier as I have 12 days holidays to take.

Just hate being at work everyday and I was hoping to work up until 35 weeks as I thought work would keep my days busy but everyday just drags and drags. Hate waking up for work in the morning! So now tempted to take the holidays and then take mat leave from 29 weeks.

Is that unreasonable?

Thanks for reading.

@ttcchapter1 if you're unhappy then take it earlier :) i took holiday at 28 weeks and mat leave after as I was quite uncomfortable being sat down at work all day and have no regrets.

With my first I worked until the day I went into labour . It was exhausting but I wanted as much time with my baby as possible afterwards . I took a year maternity.

I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant again and I took annual leave September 14th ( 31 weeks pregnant) and my maternity leave officially started October 4th. I dont plan on returning to work this time and could afford an earlier maternity leave .

Honestly , I love it ! I get more time with my first born who is 19 months old and I get to relax . My job was quite physically demanding so it’s nice to relax and not feel as stressed .

What are you planning on doing after your mat leave has finished - are you going back to the same job? What would it mean financially for you overall?

I would not go this early unless you have an older child to spend time with or the job is truly unbearable- rather than lonely / boring. Better to have more money for longer unless finances are very flush, plus waiting for a baby can get pretty boring even before covid.

@Disappointedkoala

I am planning on coming back to this job part time but have had offers from other places of work offering to take me on once I'm done with mat leave on a work from home basis. So nothing set in stone just yet. Financially it doesnt make much or a difference to when I initially planned on taking mat leave (at 34/35) weeks.

Just feel like im sat here all day not doing much when I could be at home but totally get everyone's views on how being at home isnt as much fun due to COVID. but then being at work with COVID also means less interaction.

@RicStar this would be my first which is why i did think it was a little unreasonable 🙈 but also feeling a bit anxious about being exposed to COVID whilst pregnant.

@MichelleOR84 @1990shopefulftm thank you for sharing. ❤️

Starting mat leave 6 wks early means going back 6 wks early too - That’s the difference between baby being 10.5 months and a yr old. I feel like those 6 wks make a huge difference at the other end. I’ve worked up to 38 wks twice and 35 wks once (we were moving house!) I think a couple of weeks to yourself is lovely but wouldn’t personally go off so early.

Personally I wouldn’t, but I want as long off when baby is here as possible. I finished at 37+3, currently sat at home waiting at 39 weeks, I keep myself busy but there’s such limited activities when pregnant!

I worked until 38 weeks both times then had 2 weeks holiday!

I only took 6 months mat leave tho as was all we could afford!

Thank you for all your replies. Have decided to split up next month by taking a weeks holiday and then start my mat leave from 33 weeks, so first week of December. Seems like I've met myself half way with that decision! 😂❤️