Maternity Leave Dàte

[MissKhan1990]

Hi,

I'm planning to to take my maternity leave at 37 +3. I was thinking of moving the date from my original date 5th Feb. Due date 24th.

Has ànyonè moved there date any closer than 37weeks. Is it a good idea or should l leave it as it is.

Thanks

It really depends how good your maternity leave is? Mine is rubbish and I only get 18 weeks (none is full pay) so I need to work up to the very last day. If I was planning on taking a year though I'd definitely have finished earlier with this pregnancy (twins) I'm definitely ready to!

Hi,

It really depends on what kind of pregnancy you are having and what your job is.

I managed till about 36 weeks. But this is because I was travelling into London and working on stressful projects. I think, if I was working from home a lot more I could have gone off on maternity leave a lot later and then had more time to spend with baby.

It's all very personal, but it does get harder to work as you approach your due date.

Good luck, hope it all goes well!

I went at 36 weeks with first but was so bored. This time I’m going at 38 weeks (next Friday I can’t wait) it’s been hard the last few weeks but I’d have been so bored at home and want as much time off with baby as possible

I went at 36 weeks with dd and had to go in for a scan a few days later only to be told I would be induced there and then. With ds I went again for a scan at 37 weeks and my fluid levels were so low they were ready to do a section there and then, I managed to get to 40 weeks by going in for monitoring every day for 3 weeks.

I intend to go at 36 weeks again.

I went at 39 weeks for both my kids. Planning the same for the one due this summer. It also depends on your line of work. A physically demanding role may require an earlier finish. For me a week is plenty to sleep in a little and get ready.

I went 39 weeks and am planning on doing the same with DC2 due in Spring. I'm an office worker so it's not a physical job and I wanted to have as much time off with the baby as possible

I had annual leave to add to the start of mine both times. For my first I left at 35 weeks and baby came at 39, I thought it was a bit too long off before baby came so for my second I planned to leave at 36 but she arrived at 35 weeks. I had to phone work from the post natal ward to tell them I wouldn't be in for my last week.

I planned to start my maternity leave on my due date, and use annual leave beforehand to go off at 36+2. I was absolutely done by then. I work in the delivery suite theatres, so there's a fair amount of standing and physical work to do.

As it happens, I was admitted (mid-shift..) at 36+1 with pre-eclampsia. I didn't see my home again until 2 days after I had my baby (born 37+1). Nothing had prepared me that baby might come early. First babies are always late after all.... I'm still mildly salty about not getting any pre-baby rest and relaxation before the rollercoaster of parenthood began. At least having obs taken every 4 hours was a very gentle introduction to life with a newborn.

Honestly, I would just leave your mat leave start date as is. Only move it if you can use annual leave to have some time off before your due date.

I'm going to 40 weeks. Working from home I don't see any point in starting early.

Thanks everyone

I have requested a change of date as my school will have a skeleton staff so l won't be in as much.

Its 28 days notice, so from tomorrow until my original leave date is a month. They should accept it as its more than 28 days.