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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity leave

23 replies

Trying4one · 07/01/2021 11:58

Just wondering when everyone is planning on starting maternity leave? I have a desk job which due to COVID means I can work from home. Part of me wants to work as close to due date as possible but I am aware that I am going to get uncomfortable which may make sitting for long periods of time hard.
I know I have plenty of time yet (due 20th June) but I am trying to plan my annual leave (my annual leave goes from April to march).

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HungryHippo20 · 07/01/2021 12:13

Hi 🙋🏻‍♀️ I'm due 11th March and currently working from home. You're right it's not comfy!! I'm up walking about lots, can't sit for long. I'm finishing up for annual leave on 19th Feb (6 weeks and counting!) then mat leave starts week after that 😊

lucymagoo · 07/01/2021 12:18

My annual leave starts in January so I'm going to be taking all 25 working days before my due date, meaning I'll be off from 34 weeks. Definitely agree that sitting down all day isn't ideal, make sure you're taking regular breaks

Lifeonmars12 · 07/01/2021 12:25

@lucymagoo I’m the same as you, I’m due 4th May so I’m taking all annual leave before. Last day will be 26th March which is only 11 weeks tomorrow. Not that I’m counting or anything lol.

Original poster

Trying4one · 07/01/2021 12:37

I was debating taking all leave before but as I am only taking 26 weeks leave (for financial reasons) I am considering using some leave afterwards so I don't go back until January instead of December and then working shorter weeks for a few weeks. I may start maternity at 38 weeks but have a week leave before (using the bank holiday).

OP posts:

luxxlisbon · 07/01/2021 12:42

I'm not due until July so I have time to see how it goes but I plan to go off about 2 weeks before my DD. I don't want to waste too much time off before the baby but I want a little bit of chill time before their arrival.

lucymagoo · 07/01/2021 12:50

@Lifeonmars12 13 weeks left for me 😂 I have a countdown app

3rdtimelucky2019 · 07/01/2021 12:51

Go as late as possible. I left 2 weeks before DD as I had holiday to take and it was so so boring

Mimba1 · 07/01/2021 12:53

I've booked my maternity from my due date but been pretty open with my boss that I want to see how it goes which they are comfortable with because I just don't know how my 3rd trimester will feel. I don't want to be sat at home twiddling my thumbs while elephant sized unable to do anything for weeks if they are on time/late (especially having spent the last year sat at home doing just that!) If it wasn't covid I might think differently but I'm expecting to still be under some kind of restrictions and unable to do anything/see anyone and I'll just be fretting on my own at home. If I am mega uncomfortable I will obviously take time off sooner.

I know that I can change my maternity start date with 28 days notice if I decide I want to bring forward and I'll have a couple of weeks of annual leave that I can use if I want to anyway which I can agree locally with my boss. And if worst comes to worst the policy is that any sick leave in the 4 weeks before due date triggers start of maternity. Obviously not planning to drop my team in it like that but it's there as a backup plan if it gets unbearable without any warning.

Florencenotflo · 07/01/2021 12:53

If it's your first baby, take at least a week before your due date off. I know some first babies come early, but most are late. Take a week for yourself. Relax, take long baths, binge watch Netflix, go out for a coffee (if we are allowed by then). It's the last time you'll be able to do those things easily, make the most of it!

Ginfilledcats · 07/01/2021 13:00

This was me last year. I had dd on the 10th June: I was working from home as was vulnerable NHS worker. I still took 2 weeks annual leave before my due date as a) IT WAS HOT b) it was uncomfortable c) was nice to relax and have me time before never having it again haha.

I really would reccomend a week or 2 off x

notalwaysalondoner · 07/01/2021 13:10

I was planning to work up until due date as I’d like to use my annual leave to actually go away with DH before baby arrives. Obviously with Covid that may be difficult but I have a week in Cornwall booked in May that might happen. Although need to balance that with desire for DH to take his annual leave after the baby arrives. I’m also due summer so aware that may be uncomfortable but don’t want weeks of doing nothing if baby is late either.

lcdododo · 07/01/2021 13:11

Please make sure you've read the up to date guidelines.
Maternity pay is being changed to furlough amount (80%)

Nat4392 · 07/01/2021 13:12

I’m due 27th May and starting my mat leave 24th May. I want as much time with baby as possible and don’t want to be sat around bored beforehand. I have quite an active job doing a lot of standing and walking around but I’ll probably go on reduced duties closer to my due date. I’m taking a few weeks holiday prior to mat leave starting so I’ll finish work 30th April. I don’t understand why those working from home are finishing so early!

MaryJayneSarah · 07/01/2021 13:28

I'm due in April. Going off 1 week before due date. Will add all my mat leave onto the end of my maternity. Did this last time and it worked well for me. Had 1 week off before due date, baby was 9 days late.

Lincs90 · 07/01/2021 13:43

I had my baby last summer but can share my experience. I had a desk job and worked from home. I worked up to the day before my due date (I didn't have to use my annual leave before mat leave).
It worked for me. I switched my seat for an exercise ball and didn't suffer too much. I also made sure I kept stretching and moving regularly.
I was convinced my baby would be late (she was but clearly not related to my prediction). There is the risk that baby may arrive before you're due to finish and you need to start leave early. But I just made sure there was a plan with my manager for that.
I liked working that late, especially during lockdown, as it didn't give me a chance to get bored waiting.

Sceptre86 · 07/01/2021 13:46

It really depends. If you are wfh and the third trimester is going well, I would go two weeks before your due date.

In my own situation I work on my feet and there is not an option of reduced tasks or wfh so I will go at 36 weeks. I also have a difficult third trimester as I swell a lot due to water retention which makes being on my feet so much more painful. I will use that time to rest up as much as possible and batch cook so the first few weeks my other kids meals and our own will be taken care of. I will also get some baby clothes washed and organised and potter about till my kids get home from preschool.

Mochatatts · 07/01/2021 13:48

Due 11th Feb and I finish at 37wks. Both previous babies were late (10/11day) I've no holidays to take. I don't want to be sat around for ages before she arrives a day want as much time as possible with her once she's here. Were I not getting so big I'd have considered working longer. Finishing earlier wasn't an option due to finances. I work nights in the community caring for the elderly.

Bumble84 · 07/01/2021 13:51

I finished up on annual leave in the Friday and my baby was born early the following Wednesday (induced due to health concerns with baby) my annual leave will carry over to next year now. I had so much me time last year with lockdown that I wasn’t fussed about having time off before baby was born. I couldn’t meet any friends anyway!! I’d recommend leaving it as late as possible esp if you’re only taking 26weeks

JemimaTiggywinkle · 07/01/2021 13:54

I’m planning on finishing 2 and a half weeks before my due date.

Humpty11 · 07/01/2021 13:58

I’m patient facing in a job that also does annual leave April - March (& I’m also due in June!). I’m planning on starting mat leave at 38 weeks, so about the 25th May as I was induced 2 weeks early with my son, but I’m going to try and cram in as much of my annual leave as I can beforehand so should be able to start that on the 1st April as have some study days in April and May to include as well.
Everyone will say something different but you have to do what’ll be best for you. Can you plan to work longer and then if you’re struggling beforehand the bring it forward? I know I’ll potentially have 2 months off work before baby arrives but I cannot wait to catch up on jobs around the house and spend some time with my little boy before his world becomes so different.

Humpty11 · 07/01/2021 14:01

I will also add that I’m very lucky to be able to take a years mat leave in my job and will also probably tag 4/5 weeks annual leave onto the end of that so not too concerned if this baby ends up arriving 2 weeks late.

Smoa9 · 07/01/2021 14:07

I took it a week before with my first and will again. My job is a fairly active job, I'm on my feet pretty much all day. I think any earlier, you just get bored. I think it's nicer to have longer with the baby, but everyone is different.

dinosaur17 · 07/01/2021 14:54

I’m now WFH and 31 weeks so will be taking 2 weeks annual leave before going on mat leave at 38 weeks. So will be finishing at 36 weeks. My leave also runs March- April so I’ll accrue a years worth whilst off on Mat leave so waiting to hear back from HR as to what happens if I can’t carry it over x

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