Maternity leave

[tay21]

Hi, just wondering when people stopped working during their pregnancy? Currently 25 weeks and thinking it's time to give up soon is this too early?

Just before 38 weeks. I’m freelance though and only take 3 months so try to work as late as possible. Finished at 36 weeks with my first as I was poorly.

Itsnl completely up to you but I would go with how your feeling. If you get 9 months full maternity id say go for it if you feel you need too. Unfortunatly where i work maternity it s* lol you get full pay for a month, then down to half for 2 months then just statutory maternity for the 6 months. My last pregnancy I held off till as late as possible my manager was like come on its about time here lol think I was 35 weeks. But im admin and sat down most of time so I felt like i could go in safely enough late on. This time I feel a bit different just cause of covid etc but not due till may so just going to see how i feel!

@PFin

Itsnl completely up to you but I would go with how your feeling. If you get 9 months full maternity id say go for it if you feel you need too. Unfortunatly where i work maternity it s* lol you get full pay for a month, then down to half for 2 months then just statutory maternity for the 6 months. My last pregnancy I held off till as late as possible my manager was like come on its about time here lol think I was 35 weeks. But im admin and sat down most of time so I felt like i could go in safely enough late on. This time I feel a bit different just cause of covid etc but not due till may so just going to see how i feel!

Wow I’d be pleased with that deal! We just get statutory (90% for 6 weeks, then down to £150 per week until 9 months, then 3 months unpaid).

I finished at 38 weeks with my first pregnancy and am doing so again this time, though the first 2 weeks are actually holiday, with mat leave starting on my due date (as long as baby doesn’t come early!).

I work in an office (although from home at the moment!) so it’s not too strenuous, plus I’d be bored finishing too early.

Are you struggling with pregnancy related health issues OP? I got very tired at the beginning of the third trimester, but now feel pretty good again (36 weeks).

That would have been too early for me - I’d have been bored, and would rather have the time once the baby is here.

I went to 37 weeks then took 2 weeks of annual leave, officially starting mat leave at 39 weeks.

Way too early. I worked til 38 weeks I think, or about two weeks before due date, and then DS was over a week late!

Well you can't start ML until 29 weeks but could take leave before. But it's quite a long time to be off before, and you'll get less time with baby. I'm finishing this week at 34 weeks, using leave and accrued bank hols for 3 weeks then starting official ML on 21st December.

I’d say before at least 34 weeks is early unless you have medical problems or a high risk pregnancy such as twins. It just eats into your time with your baby otherwise. I went on annual leave from 37 weeks and my mat leave officially started on my due date which worked perfectly as she was late. Keeping busy with work meant the pregnancy flew by and I really appreciated those few weeks off before she arrive without feeling bored😊

I stopped at about 36 weeks for both of mine. Depends a bit on whether or not you’re going back to work - if not then it makes less of a difference (just means the money stops earlier). Pregnancy is hard work, I totally understand why you’re wondering how early you can take leave!

With my first I went at 36 weeks and was so bored and then I had to go back earlier.
This time I’m taking 2 weeks holiday from 38 weeks and starting maternity leave the week I’m due, gives me more time with baby. I only get paid for 9 months and it goes so quick. You can go earlier if you want but you’ll probably regret leaving baby so early

Honestly i was having this dilemma just a month ago and given the current circumstances even though I'm a FTM and wanted to work as long as I could it totally depends on you and how you feel and if you can afford it. Dont feel pressured to not take it early just cos the 'norm' is to work as long as possible.

I took mine at 30 weeks and the best decision ive made. Im currently 32 weeks and so soooo fatigued.

I was taking annual Leave from 36 weeks and mat leave from 38 weeks, second baby.
I'm NHS no patient contact.
I've brought it all forward just by a week because I'm really struggling with pelvic pain, dizziness and tiredness.
Depends what kind of job you do and how your pregnancy symptoms are.

I worked up until 37.5 weeks with DS1 but I breezed thoigh his pregnancy, I'm really struggling this time round!

Worked till 38 weeks in stressful months your feet all day job, I was exhausted by the end but wanted longer off with the baby

Planned to go at 35 weeks. Went at 33 due to complications. 2 weeks sick leave before my weeks holiday then mat leave as planned. I've struggled a lot so ended up relieved to be off!

Thanks for all responses! So my situation is I lost my job due to COVID and currently been living in universal credit where I'm looking for full time work... I was wondering do employers still like to take people on at this time in their pregnancy, am I likely to get offered a job?

Totally depends on how you feel and your circumstances as well. Some women also have to stop working earlier than they wanted because of complications (premature birth etc...)

So far (touch wood) I've had an easy pregnancy. Plus I'm WFH so only have to haul myself to my computer in my study and sit down. I'm going to take 2 weeks annual leave to use up my entitlement, and then will officially go on mat leave the day before my due date. Mat leave entitlement is average where I work so I don't want to start too soon.

How rubbish for you OP, employees aren’t allowed to discriminate against to you due to the pregnancy but I do think you may struggle to find a job whilst obviously pregnant. Also keep in mind that most places of work require you to have worked for them for a certain amount of time to be eligible for maternity leave/pay. Is there anyone you can talk to about what benefits you could be entitled to? Then think about looking for work again when your baby is a bit older😊

36 weeks with my first but officially started mat leave at 40 weeks. I took the first 4 weeks as holiday

I'm 36+2 and still working. My job is office based but involves being on my feet for some of the day and flitting between rooms so I'm ready for finishing now. Official maternity leave starts 14th December. I can't really complain because my pregnancy has been such a lovely experience, the only thing I've suffered with is PGP and I think working up to full term has made the time go quicker :)

@JumperooSue

How rubbish for you OP, employees aren’t allowed to discriminate against to you due to the pregnancy but I do think you may struggle to find a job whilst obviously pregnant. Also keep in mind that most places of work require you to have worked for them for a certain amount of time to be eligible for maternity leave/pay. Is there anyone you can talk to about what benefits you could be entitled to? Then think about looking for work again when your baby is a bit older😊

It's a bit of a tricky situation and I'm finding myself getting quite stressed, I am being pestered by universal credit to job search and find myself a full time job which is of course what I am trying my best to do but I feel like I'm getting nowhere as I don't think anybody wants to employ me at this stage in my pregnancy

I'm a little confused with your posts, do you mean stop looking for work or actually stop working/temping? It's a long time until baby, you could be waiting until 42 weeks so you still could have 4 months to go, so much less time after birth but if your not working you won't be eligible for maternity leave anyway, if you start new employment then obviously you will need to be off but would imagine you would be on statutory pay only which can be paid for upto 39 weeks, as a pp said they cannot discriminate against pregnant women but it's unlikely that many employers would actually take someone on especially so far into your pregnancy, is Christmas temping an option?

Sorry for your situation. Being honest I would be out of taking on a pregnant woman if she was pregnant. But christmas temp staff could be an option but so many people are out of jobs and looking. Just do what universal credit ask thats all you can do.

It's such a personal thing, I don't think there is much value in asking what other people did.

It depends on how you are feeling physically, what work you do, your financial situation, your career aspirations...

I worked until 4 days before my scheduled c-section for my second child because my first child was being cared for by a nanny in our home and frankly it was more relaxing to be sitting at my desk at work than home with a toddler. Had I had a house to myself during the week I probably would have finished up earlier and given myself a week or two of relaxation before the baby arrived.

I finished at 36wks last time - 2weeks Annual Leave, Maternity Leave started at 38wks and induced at 39wks.

This time I'm finishing work at 32wks, have 4weeks Annual Leave to take and starting Maternity Leave at 36wks (but I'm being induced at 37wks). So although 32wks sounds really early, it's mostly just been timed well with holidays over Christmas.

I finished work at 37.5 weeks as I was just done with the commute every day and just felt exhausted and uncomfortable. My DS wasn't born until I was 41 + 6 so I regret going off so early. Those weeks dragged in.
Currently 25 weeks with DS2 and I plan on finishing 38/39 weeks. Hoping this one isn't as overdue but you never know.

I think your situation is a little different though. If you feel you are able to work you could try getting a xmas temp job in tesco or along those lines. Completely up to you though. I understand that employers wouldn't really be looking to take on someone that would be going off again in a few months x