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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

When did you start mat leave?

70 replies

Bunny2021 · 22/03/2021 11:33

I'm currently 21+5 with our first baby and starting to really think about when to start my mat leave.

I work in a really small team so don't want to make things difficult for the team but also not sure what to do.

I'm due end of July and was considering stopping work on 16 July (about 10 days prior to my due date). I will be able to continue to work from home between now and my due date so won't have to commute the 1+hour into London.

I've heard that first baby is often late. However, a couple of my friends have had theirs arrive early and I'm now worried that 10 days won't be sufficient time. It's also going to be summer, so assuming that I'm going to be hot and uncomfortable!

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PerfectPinecone · 22/03/2021 13:21

I have to take most of my annual leave before I go on maternity as I can't carry it over so I will be on leave from. 35 weeks but start my maternity leave 2 days before due date

AnneElliott · 22/03/2021 13:31

I left 10 days before DS was due. He was about 2 weeks overdue so I had 3 weeks before he arrived.

FirstTimeMummy2021 · 22/03/2021 13:47

I'm planning on working up until 38 weeks as want as long off as possible once baby is here. This obviously may change but I feel happy with having 2 weeks before my due date to get things sorted/try and relax. We are planning on having the nursery/everything sorted by 36 weeks just in case baby wants to arrive early though!

Merryhobnobs · 22/03/2021 13:53

37 weeks both times. And both my babies were late so I had a good bit of time at home by myself. But in all honesty by that point I was very big and uncomfortable and just wanted to be at home alone. It is very much individual preference but there is no shame whatsoever in admitting you are tired, your brain isn't focusing etc. Growing a human is hard work! Also there is also no shame in working as late as you can. I think my husband was surprised I opted to finish when I did but that's because he hates being home alone.

Nat4392 · 22/03/2021 13:58

I’m starting mine at 36 weeks then taking annual leave prior to my official mat leave starting. Currently 30 weeks and it can’t come soon enough!

DisgruntledPelican · 22/03/2021 14:06

38 weeks, and gave birth at 40+4 so I did get some chill time. A lot of it depends on what your job is - if you’re WFH or in an office then it may be easier to work later in pregnancy than if you have a manual job, lots of travelling etc. Although having said that I went on a site visit in very ill-fitting orange PPE the week I finished up - was desperate to see the project out!

I only took 6 months mat leave so figured I would be better having the time at the other end of leave, rather than sitting around the house for a month beforehand.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 22/03/2021 14:59

I started mine at 37 weeks... I’m now 38 weeks and bored out of my mind.
I was working from home and still feel fine physically so I could’ve carried on for longer.

Rebecca299 · 22/03/2021 15:14

I finish up this Thursday at 35+3 using holidays until 2nd April and then officially start maternity leave 37weeks

I have a daughter already who will be off for the Easter holidays from 37 weeks for 2 weeks so thought I'd be better spending the time with her before baby comes.

With my last daughter I came off earlier but worked from home for 20 hours a week and clocked out the day before my due date.

I have a desk job and finding having to sit in the same position for a while is more painful when I stand up.

I'm hoping to go overdue this time....fingers crossed anyway x

RedGirl99 · 22/03/2021 15:23

I took annual leave from 37 weeks and then mat leave from 39, baby arrived at exactly 41 weeks so had 4 weeks to myself beforehand. I was WFH up until my due date but honestly I was so ready to finish by the time that I did. I was also due at the end of July and the heat was almost unbearable and made things a lot more uncomfortable than I imagined.

RedGirl99 · 22/03/2021 15:24

*WFH until I finished, I mean, not until my DD

Bluebell9 · 22/03/2021 15:27

I was due to finish at 38 weeks, using 2 weeks leave then starting maternity leave on my due date, which was a Sunday.
I ended up being diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 38 weeks, the first week of my leave was spent going to numerous appointments and then they induced me on the Wednesday of the second week. I felt like I didn't have any time to myself.

Dyra · 22/03/2021 15:29

Expectation: Take annual leave from 36+2, start mat leave on due date. Baby probably over due so lots of time for cleaning, preparing, rest and relaxation.

Reality: Admitted to hospital at 36+1. Mat leave started immediately (annual leave got tacked onto the end at least). Baby born 37+1. Urgently call in family to clean and prepare for me. Zero rest and relaxation.

Tbh, I would plan the same again if I have more children. Except try to better keep on top of things up to then. IMO anyone able to work past 37 weeks is a superhero.

Spillanelle · 22/03/2021 15:30

With my first I planned to work up to 38 weeks but was so tired by 37 weeks I ended up stopping then. Baby arrived 10 days late but it was actually just really lovely to have the time to myself.

This time around I’m thinking I might finish at 36 weeks so that even if baby arrives a bit early I’ll still have a good few weeks to sort the house out and to just relax.

swiftt · 22/03/2021 15:47

I’m coming off at 33 weeks but using 5 weeks AL and then starting mat leave at 38 weeks. I’ll probably be bored but I’m working from home, hating every minute of it and looking forward to just wallowing around on my own whilst I can.

JustKeepSw1mming · 22/03/2021 15:48

I did 39 weeks then dd was a week late. So this time I'm doing 39+4 (ie the Fri before, due on Mon). I think statistically only 50% of 1st babies are born by 40 + 5, for subsequent babies it's 40+3. I didn't like the last week sitting around obsessing over every twinge!

bluebluezoo · 22/03/2021 15:51

Two weeks after she arrived :)

My plan, after listening to my mother who assured me all babies in our family are 2 weeks late, was to take a week annual leave a week before going on mat leave on my due date.

That would give me 3 weeks leave before she arrived. Plenty of time to sort out the car seat, get the pram delivered, and buy some babygrows.

Yep, she arrived 2 weeks early. Had to send dh to mothercare for some basic vests and blankets, and borrow a car seat to get home.

Chelyanne · 22/03/2021 15:54

With our eldest I took 2.5wk holidays before my due date and maternity started on my due date. She was born 52 minutes before her due date after 3 days of being induced due to high blood pressure. I only got 6 months SMP so it gave me as much time with her as possible. Was made redundant when pregnant with our 2nd so claimed MA, sahm for the rest so not an issue.

OliverBabish · 22/03/2021 19:35

36 weeks and that will be ENOUGH

My pelvis fucking hates me

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 22/03/2021 19:37

36 weeks because I knew I was being induced at 38 weeks. Physically I could have worked another couple of weeks, mentally I was ready to finish.

MaverickDanger · 22/03/2021 19:39

I had loads of leave to use, so technically started mat leave at 39 weeks, but used my leave to start it 37+3 and also only worked 4 day weeks from 33 weeks.

Xyzzzzz · 22/03/2021 19:39

38.5 weeks. Dd was born 2.5 days later as I was induced.

MaverickDanger · 22/03/2021 19:39

DS was obviously born at 42 weeks 🙄

Piccalily19 · 22/03/2021 20:02

Everyone told me I’d be overdue as first babies are normally late, baby was 4 days early! I finished at 37 weeks and I’m so so glad I didn’t go any later, I had quite an easy pregnancy and carried quite small but even then I was still broken physically and so ready for some rest by day 1 of my leave. Id probably go a week earlier if I had another.
I too work for a small team so I know it’s hard to not feel guilty but really is 1 or 2 weeks going to make that much difference? Everyone knows you’re having a baby so you can definitely get stuff done before then regardless of when you’re finishing.
Would you rather go two weeks overdue and maybe be a bit bored by the last week or so or push yourself too far and then baby come early and you’ve not had time to rest?
This will be the only chance you get to sit on your arse and do what you want for a few weeks without a baby needing your attention- so make the most of it ☺️

GrandTheftWalrus · 22/03/2021 20:20

I went on leave at 32 weeks last time then she was a week late so 9 weeks off it was rather boring.

This time I'm finishing at 37 weeks and wish I was finishing earlier. I'm nightshift this time and its really hard going.

Ummm21 · 22/03/2021 20:26

With my first I finished at 37 weeks. Baby was due end of May, heat wave started in April so I was bloody glad I could stop when I did as my feet were massive and sitting at a desk was very uncomfortable (had SPD). He came 2 weeks late so I did feel it was a shame I used 5 weeks of mat leave to sit at home annoyed I was so hot 🤣 there's only so much tidying, cleaning and napping I could do!
With number 2 I will try to work up until 38/39 weeks but all depends on how I feel.

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