3rd maternity leave

[Iwantanap]

I'm currently on maternity leave with my second baby and dh and I have decided that we definitely want to have a 3rd baby. Probably 2-3 year age gap as we don't want to risk being unable to conceive. I already had a year's maternity with my 1st and there is 2.5 years between my 1st and second. I was planning on having a year off for maternity again with this second one, however would it be better to go back sooner considering we want a 3rd? Baby is really easy and sleeps well, very content. Also should I have a shorter maternity leave with my third baby? To add some context, maternity benefits are really good where I work but it's a small team and my maternity may not be covered and I am worried about letting the team down. My colleagues are really nice but I started the job pregnant with my second. They knew I was pregnant as it was an internal transfer. It's tricky trying to get the balance right so I would appreciate some of the mumsnet wisdom thank you

You've likely a long career, take the full leave (if that's what you want). Better to come back as rested as possible, it'll benefit you and your workplace in the long run. I say this as manager of a decent sized department.

I'd make the decision independently of the impact on the team. I would look at what worked best for my family and own finances rather than worrying about letting people down.
I do care about my job but not above my family. Also having been through many restructures / possible redundancy situations I realise it works both ways so my loyalty to work only goes so far.

Thank you both. I hadn't really thought of the longer term as in restructures. There were issues previously so there was high turnover but since the restructure and new manager things are looking a lot better. I think they know I'm in for the long haul and was valued before i left so while it would be really inconvenient they know I will be back. There are only 2 of us who do my role specifically so that's why I felt guilty but I guess most people would do as you've both suggested and the manager could redistribute so my colleague only does the parts that are specific to our profession rather than things that can be done by other clinicians

Do what suits you first. If you ever left they'd find a way to cope and not give you second thought.

@Mummyof2Terrors

Do what suits you first. If you ever left they'd find a way to cope and not give you second thought.

Exactly this. Maternity leave is a benefit offered to attract good employees (just like a pension, gym membership or other perks).

When you get back from maternity leave, you can focus on making sure everything is documented/ processes are implemented to make things as easy as possible for your colleagues if you go out on leave again.

I say this knowing it's tough to cover when people go out on leave - but I'm sure the company would have little hesitation in making you redundant if circumstances required, so I don't think you owe them undying loyalty.