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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Is 30 weeks ridiculously early to start maternity leave?

44 replies

littlelamb · 08/01/2008 21:05

I am 19 weeks now and finding my work day a real struggle. I don't drive, so I have to take dd to nursery (more than a mile up a big hill) in all weather and then run for my bus, which takes nearly an hour to get to work. I have to leave work an hour early to get back to nirsery on time, which means that I am supposed to make up the time at home int eh evenings (this hasn't really happened since Christmas, I have been feeding dd and then going to bed when she does!) I am so tired I have taken the last two days off. I am looking forward to maternity leave, but am also worried about the financial aspect and getting bored! Dds nursery needs a terms notice of any change in arrangements, which makes after easter an ideal tiem to stop, as I could put her in for just her 5 free early years sessions a aweek, meaning we would both get a lie in and I would have afternoons to myself. Is this unrealistic? Will I regret leaving so soon. In all honesty, although I like my job it is very liekly that after this one is born I will move to be closer to my family, as they are currenlty over 300 miles away, so time spent before birth vs time spent with baby before going back seems a bit irrelevant. Does anyone have experience of working really close to due date or giving up relatively early? My spd seems much worse this time round as well, so just gettign to work every day is taking huge effort

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TheIceQueen · 08/01/2008 21:06

I took my AL at 30 weeks, and then started my mat leave at 34 weeks - I was working nights, on my feet all the time and I couldn't physically do it. It was lovely having all that time to enjoy my older DS's before DS3 came along.

LynetteScavo · 08/01/2008 21:09

With DS1 I went on maternity leave as early as I could. 28 weeks I think. Both I adn my boss knew I wouldn't be gpoing back. I really enjoyed my time at home, and was very mentally prepared for the baby ariving. With DD I stopped work 6 weeks before she was due (8 weeks before she was born) I would have found it a struggle to work any longer. I think it's lovely to be able to get things in order before the baby arives.

TLSM · 08/01/2008 21:10

With my first I needed scans everyweek from 30 weeks so started mine then I loved it! with this one (I am 24+4) I will be going on leave at 37 weeks due to finances but would love to go earlier!

AnnainNZ · 08/01/2008 21:15

I went on a/l at 29 wks and started m/l at 32 wks, it was wonderful. I was doing a very physical job (nursery with 20 under-2's, lots of lifting, noise, stress etc) and I was knackered. I also had issues with high blood pressure so it was good to finish early and rest. It was a long time before the baby arrived but I rested lots, got everything sorted for teh baby and watched a huge amount of DVD's! As you already have older dd it woudl be lovely to have that time with her I would guess. If you are knackered and over it and can afford it financially, I say sod work and enjoy your dd and third trimester!

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 08/01/2008 21:19

Pro's -

you and your dd will be able to spend some lovely times together before the new baby comes.

You will not have to haul your arse out of bed and do the mad dash to nursery/work every morning.

You will be able to do things at your pace.

Con's - you tell me? You haven't mentioned one thing against leaving early.

Original poster

littlelamb · 08/01/2008 21:20

Thanks for all the advice. I have only told the HR lady at work so far, who was lovely about it. I still have yet to tell my two real (male) bosses that I am even pregnant!My tummy has exploded in the last week thugh so I think it is pretty obvious. I have had lots of trouble with bleeding this time round so have been reluctant to tell people, and the longer it has gone on the harder it has become to just drop into conversation! I think that I am going to have to stop quite early and I know I shouldn't feel guilty about that. I am knackered as it is and I know that will only get worse as I get beiiger.

OP posts:

beansprout · 08/01/2008 21:22

Why work longer than you have to? Those last few weeks are a real slog. I stopped at 34 weeks this time, so not that different.

MissingMyHeels · 08/01/2008 21:22

I'm 32 weeks and still working without too much of a problem, just have to make sure I have lots of early nights! I'm planning on working until 36 weeks and I do a 1hr30min commute each way. I thought it would be awful but seem to be coping ok and for me I have the incentive of more time post birth.

However, if that wasn't an issue and I had lots of money I would start mat leave tomorrow!

Why would you regret leaving too soon?

Original poster

littlelamb · 08/01/2008 21:27

I dont really know why this is such a worry for me. Financially I am worried I suppose, but if dd has no nursery bill to be paid that is a big outgoing that will disappear. Dp and I dont live together (yet) so to all intents and purposes I am a single parent and I am assuming that I will get extra help to cover my rent etc? I had dd when I was at university and found the financial side a real struggle, and not an experience I really wish to repeat. I am worried that by going on leave too early I will be financially screwed. I have to look into things like housing benefit I suppose. I don't really understand how maternity pay affects those kind of things and my tax credits? I stil hae a lot to think about financially.

OP posts:

uptomyeyes · 08/01/2008 21:33

This is making me feel very lazy! With DS 2 I went on annual leave for a month at 25 weeks and maternity leave from 29 weeks! It was lovely I had 3 whole months with DS1 before the new baby arrived.

I went at 33 weeks for DS1 but somehow managed to keep going until 35 weeks with DS3 who was born 3 days after I gave up work. So absolutely no rest before giving birth there.

PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 08/01/2008 22:04

I'm 12 weeks and I'd start now

madmouse · 08/01/2008 22:17

I have a ridiculous commute (3 hours train and 1 hour cycling every day) so I took ML at 32 weeks. The last week I did not even open the post, so tired (also had extra travel). Christmas came quickly, but I admit after that I got a bit lonely, so used to being around people all day. So I have to plan to get out every day (now 37 weeks) to keep sane and happy, even if it is only to the shops. So boredom can be a factor, however tempting that sofa looks while you are at work. And daytime tv is not all it is cracked up to be either .

madmouse · 08/01/2008 22:19

Littlelamb, consider a visit to your local CAB for advice on benefit entitlement, they are unbeatable, and free!

Alexandersmummy · 08/01/2008 22:33

Hi, first time round I wanted to work upto 38 weeks but is was impossible as I had a job that involved been stood up all day (10hours) and I ended up going on m/l at 36 weeks and was so glad I did, this time though I've stayed until 39 weeks but my job is office based and I have excellent bosses who have looked after me and given me time off on full pay if I've needed it, also they let me take my ds (2yo) with me to work when I've needed to.
I don't think tax credits are effected BTW, but would go to CAB or tax credits website for help,
above all else go on leave when your ready, it doesn't matter what others do, if your ready for it do it. Enjoy time with your LO before baby arrives and good luck

mumofk · 09/01/2008 18:54

I'm going at 30 weeks and cant wait.Tired and miserable at 24 weeks so counting the days until I go. I guess its just harder when you've already got 1 child, and I'm looking forward to having a rest and better quality time with DD before new baby. ATM I dont have quality time- I'm grumpy, exhuasted and can't talk, and thats if Im awake after work.
I'd go as soon as you can afford to- I'm just hoping the other end of things will sort itself out. at the end of the day, if you're knackered there's no point risking your health or your babies just for money.
I had hoped to work until 34-36 weeks, but realising how I feel now I know how unrealistic that is for me- I know some people manage fine, but that is NOT me.
Good luckwith whatever you decide,
mumofk

Alishanty · 09/01/2008 21:10

I took maternity leave at 34 wks. I just could not have gone on any further and I could easily have left earlier. I used to walk to work which took 40 mins every day right up until I was 6/7 mths pg and after I couldn't manage walking I used the bus which was stressful, crowded and expensive in rush hour. People said I would get bored but I genuinely didn't, it was really hot and I needed the rest and enjoyed getting everything ready for the baby. If you feel you need to leave at 30 wks go for it, you need to think about you and the baby.

Haylstones · 09/01/2008 21:23

I'm 33+weeks and officially started ML this week but I haven't actually been to work since the week before Christmas (I work term time only) so it was around 30/31 weeks that i stopped (TBH the last couple of weeks I kept leaving early and catching up at home during the day so wasn't there much!) I have dd at home as well and i thought it better to have some extra energy to spend time with her; finances aren't really an issue for us though as we don't rely on my salary as I only do about 10 hours a week. It's nice to have though! I can go back to work whenever I want as it's mainly evening/weekend work so dh can be sole carer so prolonging my leave after the birth wasn't really an issue- it seems not to be a problem for you either so I'd just stop when you feel ready

LOVEMYMUM · 10/01/2008 13:48

As you are already tired, i would formulate a plan which means you can go on mat leave whenever you want.

I left my job at 30 weeks and am so happy i did! LO may appear 2 weeks early (c-section due to breech presentation) and I really appreciate being able to get things done.

In a nutshell: LEAVE ASAP!

LoveAngel · 10/01/2008 13:50

I gave up at 33 weeks. I would have given up at 28 weeks if I hadn't been worried about eating into the time I had after my baby was born. I also had really bad SPD and was knackered from 28 weeks onwards. Do what you have to do. No point running yourself into the ground.

kekouan · 10/01/2008 15:53

I left at 34 weeks, by which time I was utterly knackered. I had an hour long commute in heavy traffic and was so tired... wished I had left a couple of weeks earlier really.

I had SPD too, and it was one of the main reasons I left a bit early... 30 weeks sounds perfectly sensible to me!

hanaflower · 10/01/2008 15:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

claraenglish · 10/01/2008 17:39

Message withdrawn

PurlyQueen · 10/01/2008 17:41

I wish I could start maternity leave now, but it would mean going back to work earlier.

geekymummy · 10/01/2008 17:49

I took my ML at 29 weeks! I was so stressed over the commute, tiring customers and generally tired... I just put annual leave at the end and some parental leave so I had 13 months off in total.

I am so glad I did!

Mumblesmummy · 11/01/2008 11:38

I'm starting my maternity leave at 30 weeks and one at 31 weeks but I have no choice as I have to be back on my PGCE course and teaching in September, so i've had to work it round that. However, I am VERY much ready to start maternity leave at 23 weeks because I can barely be arsed with anything . I don't think it really matters when you start it. You can take 52 weeks if you want (some of which is unpaid), so what's the point in struggling?

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