Maternity leave - when to leave?

[Nala97]

Hey all

First baby and just trying to get organised now I'm in 2022 the year I will become a mummy!

I have had mixed reviews, I work a office based job but have to go in and out the office for viewings etc (lettings agent).

When did you all take maternity leave? And did you use your holiday prior to maternity leave starting or did you wait and use that at the end? Just trying to work out when I should think about leaving 🙈 I know it's a personal decision but just after some opinions

I have 3 weeks annual leave which I'm taking before I go on maternity leave at the end of this month. Officially be on maternity leave at 35 weeks pregnant.

I finished at just over 37 weeks first time and just over 36 weeks this time. Could have worked longer but just used my remaining annual leave to take me to due date both times.

Found it gave me a nice chunk of time to get bits done but as it was annual leave, didn't feel frustrated waiting for baby as I'd have to use it anyway. First baby came at 40+6 so I'd have felt like maternity leave was ticking if I'd started it at 36 weeks or something.

I worked until 2.5 weeks before DS was due. Took 2 weeks holiday then started my maternity. He actually arrived the day my MAT leave officially started.

I went off at 39+1. Went into labour at 40+1.

With my first i put down 39 weeks, for the last 2 weeks i planned to do half days 8-12 with the other half of the day as holiday but DS came early at 37 weeks. This time i have already told my boss (at 10 weeks) that i would be leaving at about 35 weeks as thats when i started to get complications with DS and i would like to spend some time with DS before the baby comes

I worked until baby arrived. I did a full day on Friday, and was holding DD by Monday lunchtime. I have an office job and had a very easy pregnancy in terms of how I felt though.

I've been using my leave to return part time initially, rather than taking it all in a lump.

I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant and have just put in my letter of intent for maternity leave. I am going off at 34 weeks, I get induced at 38 weeks due to history of losses. But mainly because I work in a forward facing role and the virus being so rife right now, I can't risk it. I'm on my wits now, so counting down the 10 weeks till I'm off for maternity. My holidays get renewed in April also, so I'm taking 5 weeks of them at the end of my maternity leave and I'll return with 7 days left to use from the end of January till the end of March and then they'll renew again.

Do whatever you feel best x

I have 4 weeks annual leave to use and then I'll be officially starting maternity leave at 37 weeks. So I'm going off quite early. I worked right up with DS and I really regretted it. He came at 37+2. I was exhausted. House a tip. Didn't get a chance to do any batch cooking.
I bet this time I'll be so organised and ready and baby won't be early

I'm working until 37weeks (teacher), will have a week holiday for half term, mat leave starts 38+4, section 39w

I worked until 38 weeks last time then used annual leave to take me to my due date. I think I’ll probably finish a week or two earlier this time (although part of that will be to spend some time with my toddler)

I'm finishing work 3 weeks in advance of my csection date. I have a desk job, and currently wfh, so I suppose I could have worked until the end but honestly I'm just knackered all the time and I want a few weeks head space to mentally, emotionally and practically prepare for what's to come!

29 weeks...just fancied chilling out to be honest 👍

Thanks everyone for the replies! I won't be needing to use any of AL allowance this year so will use that prior to maternity starting! Thinking to go off at 36 weeks 🤞🏻