When to take maternity leave?

[im97]

Got to let work know in the next 2 weeks when I want to take maternity leave, I commute 20 mins on the train, with a 10 walk the other end, I work in essential retail and on my feet all day. I am having a c section at 49 weeks! Any suggestions? Thanks

How pregnant are you right now?
Hopefully you won't get to 49 weeks

@dementedpixie lol I'm 23 weeks currently!

What is their plan for you post 28 weeks when the covid risks kick up a notch? If you're moved to other duties you might feel able to work until closer to the due date.
What holiday do you have left too, you can take that before starting your leave?

@Parkandride I'm currently shielding due to heart condition and being pregnant, but they are expecting me to come back from shielding before i go on mat leave and expecting me to still be customer facing.

Congrats on your pregnancy! I would probably finish minimum two weeks beforehand. I only took 4 days off before my second c section and I regretted it, recovery was more difficult as I hadn't rested enough beforehand... and my job at the time was mostly sitting down.

I took mine from 29 weeks...it was bliss!!

Tbh I haven't had the covid vaccine due to being pregnant so not sure what's gonna happen regarding shielding, but i am debating 38 weeks for work, it's my second child, my first came at 38 weeks by emergency section!

I took mine at 39 weeks. I wanted longer with the baby after birth. It's a very individual decision that is totally dependent on your situation and what is right for you. I also have to stay customer facing even after 28 weeks. I've been risk assessed and it is safe to do so. But considering your heart condition, are you comfortable with the travelling past 28 weeks?

I'm currently 36 weeks and working from home. I have one more week to work and I wish I was already finished as I'm struggling 😫 it's my first so I had no clue what to expect, I'm so sore in bed at night and not sleeping brill but my main issue is just getting comfy at my desk....I'm between chair and birth ball and can't sit for more than 10 mins 😖

I had a planned section with my second at 39 weeks and finished work 2.5 weeks before. I wanted a bit of time with my older DD and to rest a bit.
I’d be a bit worried about going back to a role like that at the end of a pregnancy with a heart condition

Ideally I'd say take it from about 36 weeks, however you know how well you coped last time. Can you take some holiday to work less days per week at the end?

Getting very tired now at 32 weeks and would probably struggle to be on my feet all day. I'm normally fairly fit (cycle several days a week and we like a good long walk). Everyone's pregnancy is different though, so you may feel able to continue as you are up until your section. Not terribly helpful, I know. Worth asking about adjustments they can make, e.g. manning a till rather than being on the shopfloor all day.

Thanks for everyone's responses, consultant doesn't want me to have vaccine yet due to pregnancy even with being a CEV, so I'm kinda stuck with that. Work seem to think I can go back to being customer facing even after I reach 28 weeks, last time I wasn't working so didn't need to think about maternity leave! x