Maternity leave at 29 weeks

[WotsitMum]

Im concidering taking maternity leave at 29 weeks.

Im currently 22 weeks and my employer has not yet asked when i plan to go on maternity leave, i imagine they will ask when i hand my mat b form in.

I have a handfull of reasons that just keep pilling telling me to just go on maternity leave as soon as i can, these include:
•The rising cost of fule, i work part time and live about 10 miles away from my work and spend so much on petrol every week
•nursery costs have just risen
•I hate my job so much
•Not many collegues including my manager are understanding of things i cannot do due to pregnancy
•with 2 under 2 i dont plan on returning to work untill the youngest is 2 as childcare is just too much and when i do go back to work i plan to find somthing closer to home
•stress of work is getting me down
•im on a 0 hour contract at work and its ovious im at the bottom of the pile when handing out shifts, im struggling to get the shifts in to be entitled to company maternity pay

Tell me im not going to regret going so early? I worked the day before my first was born. Anyone else took maternity very early?

I think if you can afford it then do it especially if you won't be returning therefore presume your not taking any enhanced maternity pay/have to pay it back? Could you maybe find some other part time temp contracts that might be more enjoyable and closer to home? I know I used my AL with my first so I could finish around 35 weeks and I'm glad I did so I could rest and get ready. I'd do the same 2nd time round too.

I went on maternity leave at 30 weeks. ( Stayed home from 28 as I had the Covid). No regrets, I had plenty of time to sort everything out and get prepared; which I am extreamly happy about it now.
Seems like it works out for you better financially, so go for it! You will have plenty of time to work in your life but this time is special; so don't feel bad!

If you were going back after, I’d say you would be mad to do it. You say you’re not so I’m guessing you’re not relying on the money so do it if that’s what you want.

Meant to add that I finished for maternity leave with DD2 at 39+6 which was a Friday. She was born the Monday after so the first day of my maternity. I would do the same again to have as much paid time off after as possible but I had to go back to work.

I started maternity leave at 29 weeks with my twins and finished early at 26 weeks using annual leave. Couldn't really afford it but we make do and the rest and down time was more important for me and our babies because I was in a lot of pain. I also knew I wouldn't be going back to work so I won't be missing out on precious time with my babies.

It's fairly unusual to finish work so early (and it can get pretty boring!) but just do what is best for you and your family.

My maternity pack sent to me says 90% of earnings for the first 6 weeks then smp for 33 weeks following then 13 weeks unpaid. Nothing is mentioned about paying this back if i do not return

@WotsitMum

My maternity pack sent to me says 90% of earnings for the first 6 weeks then smp for 33 weeks following then 13 weeks unpaid. Nothing is mentioned about paying this back if i do not return

That's SMP so you don't pay it back anyway.

@Tina8800 "You will have plenty of time to work in your life but this time is special; so don't feel bad!"
*
Couldn't agree more with this*

If you can afford it sounds like a no brainer to me...

You need to do what is right for you!
I’m 34 weeks and so tempted to just finish early but I want more time with the baby at the other end.
Double check your contract- it’s written into mine that if I decide to leave and not return after maternity then I have to pay a portion of the money back so before you make any final decisions just check you won’t be out of pocket.