When to go on mat leave (due July 21)

[Mncrmum]

I’m 27 weeks with #2 , due July 17th and needing to decide when to start my mat leave. I can work from home, so no issues there.

I have a 2 year old daughter, so definitely not going to have as much time to chill before hand as last time. And knowing what’s ahead of me, is making me want to take advantage of the “quiet before the storm”. Because we’re not going on holiday, I’m hoping that I’ll at least be able to sit in friends gardens during the week in the sunshine, catching up with people and feel like I’ve “had a break/holiday”.

DD was born 37+5 , induced due to reduced movements. So I have no idea when this one is going to arrive, or what the situation might be.

When would you plan to go on maternity leave?

I'm going on leave 2 weeks before so that's what I'd do x

I'm 28 weeks and finishing 1 week before. Any more than that and I'd be bored.

I'm finishing at 36+2 but have used a combo of annual leave and maternity leave so that I don't feel like I'm starting the official mat leave too early if that makes sense. I'm FTM and know what I'm like if I feel stressed going into something new so for me having almost 4 weeks off before my due date will be much needed! And yeah I want to feel like I've had a decent break even if its not a holiday away.

Thanks @Luckyelephant1 - I’ve got 23 days to use, so was thinking to go off at 38 weeks on official mat leave and then use 2 weeks AL before hand. (I can always cancel AL if I needed/wanted to). But definitely feel like I need a good rest before. Lockdown has got me at burnout stage!

I’m finishing at 36 weeks. Using up my holidays then start actual mat leave the week I’m due. Only 2 weeks to go and I can’t wait to finish!

My last day in work is 38+1, but I'm WFH and from a long line of late babies! I've got basically two weeks of leave and mat leave starts on my due date. If I was having to go in to the office it would be earlier than this.

I'm 36+4 today and have struggled, but hoping it's a one off due to a particularly poor night's sleep and hoping tomorrow is better 🤞

I’m going off at 36 weeks. This is baby no 2. I’m using 3 weeks of annual leave then mat leave starts a week before my due date.

I’ve got quite a lot to do before baby arrives and hoping to have some downtime where I can catch up with family/friends without having to rush around!