When did you leave work/start maternity?

[Maneandfeathers]

Just that really!

With DC1 I managed until around 37 weeks and gave birth at 38. Felt fine up until the end.

5 years later with DC2 and I am struggling at 33 weeks! I’m anaemic, uncomfortable, tired and sore. I can’t imagine having another 4 weeks of hauling myself around. My job is very physical and involves lots of running around.

Feels too early to go now though when I have potentially 8 weeks at home?

What are everyone’s plans?

Do you have any AL to use up?
Can they give you lighter duties?

I left the office at 36 weeks - wfh for 2 weeks
Then used 2 weeks AL.
So maternity started on my due date.

Sorry about your anaemia! I have it too and am really struggling with the fatigue.

With DS1 I left at 34 weeks. It was a bit early compared to most but it coincided with Christmas and it was a FT very physical job too.

I'm 27 weeks with number 2 now and have a different job - work PT but am finding the whole pregnancy much harder with a toddler. I work in an office now and have planned to go at 36 weeks.

Everyone said to me, go as close up to your due date as you have more time with baby afterwards, but to be honest I really needed the rest from work awaiting DS1 and enjoyed the time nesting.

Another relevant factor is what is happening with your maternity pay and how long do you intend to take? I took a year with my first and was only entitled to SMP - nothing from work. I think if I'd had leave for 39 weeks, I may have worked a week or so longer...

I work with animals so no chance of light duties. It’s very physical and there’s not much of an alternative. Sadly I also have no AL or time at all to take as I had hyperemesis in the beginning and had to use 6 weeks AL for that as I don’t get anything above SSP

Last time I was worried about being bored and so stayed until the last moment. I could have probably done another week but the midwife had a feeling DS would be before 40 weeks and he was.

I am also only entitled to SMP so I think that’s 6 weeks at 90% and then standard. I won’t be able to manage on that for a year so if I take a month or two before it means I can only be off for 6 months with the baby instead of 7-8. Is 6 months enough?
I will only be going back part time though and DH will be around to help when I return so baby won’t be in a nursery setting.

Do you accrue AL whilst your off on mat leave? I think this is a general thing for most people so this can be added onto the end if you needed to leave earlier.

But I would ask at work if there's anything at all you can do as an alternative as they do have to put you as priority, for both your health.

Oh no, OP! Annual leave for hyperemesis? Where are you? In England, you should be signed off for any prolonged pregnancy related illness.

Have you had a workplace risk assessment etc.?

Everyone is different with amounts of mat leave. I was still BFing every four hours at 6m so that wouldn't have worked for me, but if your partner is around and you can work round it with PT hours then it could work yes. You need to look after yourself now, as well as when baby is here

Sorry, just saw what you said about using a/l due to SSP. Rubbish for you. When does your annual leave run from? Calendar year or financial?

I worked until 37 weeks with DC1 - 5 day weeks in an office, 15 min walk each way to work, my last 3 weeks were 4 day weeks to use up some annual leave. Gave birth on my due date.

This time I'm finishing at 36 weeks - still desk based 'office' job but now WFH, and I only work 4 days a week. My last three weeks are 3 day weeks although am having sole care of 3yr old DC on the other two days a week which is physically more demanding than my job. Am expecting this DC to come a little earlier than DC1 tbh and once I start mat leave I will have sole care of DC for 3 days a week.

I had the option to be signed off on SSP but couldn’t really afford too so had to use all of my AL for the time the sickness was out of control.

I do accumulate AL while I am off though and the year runs from Jan-Jan so I should fingers crossed have some to tag onto the end as I would have renewed in January while I am off if I’ve got that right?
So say if I return in May I should still have my 6 weeks holiday for that year shouldnt I?

I have had risk assessments and technically am allowed more breaks etc but it never happens like that. I am one of the most senior staff members so am forever being pulled around and at the moment there’s huge staffing issues!

I just feel like I can’t be bothered with work anymore more and have lost all motivation especially as the anaemia has been really bad and making me breathless at times. Maybe I just need to power through!

You might not be able to get light duties but you are entitled to pregnancy related adjustments, particularly in light of the anaemia. You could ask for more frequent/longer breaks or to double up with another worker to lighten your workload.
Worth having a word with your trade union to get some more specific advice.
Good luck!

I got to 35 weeks with my first then took 2 weeks annual leave.

Now pregnant with twins and am 33 weeks and finished today!! Have 2.5 weeks annual leave and matleave starts mid of September!

@Maneandfeathers

I had the option to be signed off on SSP but couldn’t really afford too so had to use all of my AL for the time the sickness was out of control. I do accumulate AL while I am off though and the year runs from Jan-Jan so I should fingers crossed have some to tag onto the end as I would have renewed in January while I am off if I’ve got that right? So say if I return in May I should still have my 6 weeks holiday for that year shouldnt I?

I have had risk assessments and technically am allowed more breaks etc but it never happens like that. I am one of the most senior staff members so am forever being pulled around and at the moment there’s huge staffing issues!

I just feel like I can’t be bothered with work anymore more and have lost all motivation especially as the anaemia has been really bad and making me breathless at times. Maybe I just need to power through!

Oh you poor thing. I also have the breathlessness with it and it's horrendous. I can't imagine dealing with that doing such a physical job. I get breathless sitting on the sofa. Are you on iron and is it helping at all?

You really shouldn't have to power through. Your employer should be making sure you're getting those extra breaks, but having worked in a place with similar staffing issues, to be honest I can understand how you are not taking them at times. Especially if you know noone else will do the work if you don't!

Yes, you'll accrue whilst you're off.

I think it's worth another chat with them - they have a duty of care. As do you to baby and yourself

Your job sounds shit. Stay as long as you can manage. Make sure you get the breaks.

I went back to work part-time when DC was 5 months old. It was fine.

34 weeks and 2 days here and I'm finishing tomorrow! Have used annual leave and then officially start mat leave on due date

I finished in the office yesterday and am 39 weeks today.

I finished a bit earlier with DC2 and regretted it. Spent all my time sat around at home bored and it made me so impatient. I ended up begging to be induced at 40+4 because I was so restless.

DC1 I finished work on a Friday, had a nice weekend of long lunches and day time naps and then he was born on Monday!

Do whatever feels right for you, the last few weeks of pregnancy are hard enough. For me, work was a welcome distraction but if you prefer to be at home, go for it.

I will be leaving at 33wks (I think it’s wk33- 27 November for a due date of 22 Jan.) Standard in France; 6 weeks before due date + optional 2 weeks often given by GP. If you are struggling can you get signed off? I think if you are finding it tough it’s perfectly reasonable to go off sick. Here it’s very very common- my neighbour is 4 months pregnant and already signed off 🤣 many of my colleagues tell me previous pregnant women gone at 3-4 months until after maternity leave. My own GP is hella keen to sign me off.. even leaving a note with reception that if I need an appointment to give me one whatever the days plan looks like. France is a different culture but if you’re struggling physically and your employer won’t accommodate very well I’d consider getting signed off. Good luck OP xox

So say if I return in May I should still have my 6 weeks holiday for that year shouldnt I?

You will have accumulated full time AL for the 5 months mat then it'll be pro rota for being part time.
So yes you'll have some weeks full time AL to add on the end.

People go back at all different times op and it works for them, and esp if your DP will be on hand for the baby you'll be absolutely fine!
Just do what you need to do!

Deffo have a chat with them.