Am I taking maternity leave too early?

[LolaLoo2]

Planning on my last day being 35+2 but using annual leave first, my official maternity leave will start at 37+2.
Struggling with sciatica and SPD this pregnancy.
Having ELCS at 39 weeks.
Second baby (DS 2.5) so plenty to keep me busy.
Taking 52 weeks leave with 3 weeks annual leave on the other end to ensure I cover baby's 1st year.

I get the feeling from my colleagues that they think I'm silly for going off 'so early' and I should be working longer. I know it's not for them to decide or debate but it's bringing my mood down and taking the excitement away.

Is this too early?

Depends on your job and what you want to do really. What's right for one isn't right for another.
I worked up to a week before with both of mine and then they were both really late so I was pleased I did. But I can work from my sofa so it was no bother. If it had been a more physical job, I probably would've left earlier.

I’ve started mat leaves at 36 weeks and 34 weeks. It wasn’t too early for me at all - I got to relax and get organised, plus spend plenty of time with DD1 the second time round. Absolutely no regrets and I don’t care if any of my colleagues thought it was too early.

I did exactly the same and baby arrived on her due date so I had 5 weeks of me time before baby arrived. I used the time to get baby washing done, batch cook freezer meals, swim and do other things I knew I’d struggle to do when baby arrived. I loved it and didn’t get bored once. I have friends whose babies arrived early and before their Mat leave started so you never know how things will go. Don’t listen to your colleagues and do whatever feels right for you.

I'll be going off somewhere around 32-33 weeks because I work term time and would feel really bad leaving the kids I work with mid term. I'm due about a week after Feb half term and probably won't make it that far so will be starting mat leave after Christmas break with the intention of going back in September for the new school year. You have to do what's right for you at the end of the day

I was due July 4th. I took two weeks holiday from mid may and started maternity leave a month early. Little bugger was then two weeks late so I had two months home.

I LOVED IT. My god. All of that time was for me. I took so many baths, and afternoon naps, played video games. If we had not been in peak lockdown I would have been waddling to swimming, pregnancy massage, going to the cinema. All the things I knew would not be a thing once DD was here for a long time.

I was worried about then having to put DD into nursery at 11 months but don't forget, you can have a staggered return and you amass quite a bit of annual leave. I came back part time for a month which let DD settle into her nursery gently.

worked up to 38w with my first who was born bang on 39w. with my second I had so much annual leave to use that I finished at 34w. I planned for my actual mat leave to start on the actual date he decided to arrive (39+4). It was heaven

I stopped with my second at 33 weeks! I was knackered and just knew I needed the time, and in the end DC2 was 2weeks late. But best 9 weeks ever. I exercised, rested (as much as you can with a 2yr old in tow), spent time with her, ate well, nested. I look back at that time fondly.

No it isn’t too early. I’m on my last day now at 39 weeks and really would have loved to go off earlier. It was just a financial decision as I’m worried about affording the leave, but I feel crap.

My maternity this time starts at 33 weeks. It's early, yes. But with 2 toddlers at home and already been signed off with pelvic pain, I really don't care what people think (I did until I told my boss and suddenly I knew I'd made the right decision!) so what works for you!

Back in the dark ages, when I was young, it was normal to go off at about 34 weeks.

I think a bit of me time for mum is great, hope you relax and have a great time OP.

I’ve always finished at 34 weeks, I wanted to nap and relax. Suppose it depends on your job, mine were physical roles

Crikey, no. Do what works for you! I finished before 32 weeks - used up annual leave, started mat. leave at 36 weeks, had baby at 38 weeks.

It was really nice having those peaceful weeks to prepare and not have to heave myself into work.

Oh and the six weeks I had off before the birth was the best bit of maternity leave!

I am aiming to finish at 35+1, will use up annual leave first and mat leave will kick in around 37 weeks. My job is exhausting and work with adults and children with special needs so don't want to go on too late. Who cares what other employees think, nothing to do with them!

I went off at 38 weeks with my first. I think I used two weeks annual leave and started my maternity leave on my due date. With my second I planned to do the same, but I ended up having to finish earlier because I was making myself unwell commuting to work and looking after an almost three year old. I ended up going two weeks overdue so must have had 5-6 weeks off before baby arrived, but I didn't regret it because it gave me a chance to rest (OH took two weeks off and my mum also helped) as well as spending time with DS1 before the baby arrived.

Take it, rest and wind down before baby gets here I did xx

No, go for it. Baby might be born early! You need to take that chill time while it's available, as you'll never have another first mat leave. Even if you have another baby, you'll have another child to look after next time! Do it, enjoy!

I'm taking mat leave SO early - I'll only be 30 weeks when I go off. The reason for this is that I hate my job. It is so stressful and I'm very unsupported. I wanted to leave earlier on in the year but then found out I was pregnant so stayed, and I've felt stuck ever since. I weighed up all the options and knew that I couldn't concentrate fully on becoming a mum while I was working there and needed a couple of months for myself after a very difficult year. I've been worried over the last few months about how my stress from work has had a negative impact on me and possibly my baby. Lots of people have been telling me it's a mistake but I believe this is the right thing for me. Sending hugs - only you can make the judgment about what you truly need!

It's not too early if it works for you. Not that my opinion matters but I don't think it's all that early when you know you won't go past 39 weeks.

You’re not silly at all. My DS arrived at 38 weeks - luckily I work in a school so had two weeks off just before he arrived for Christmas holidays (I went into labour the day before the school return) otherwise he would have arrived before I’d even started my maternity leave. Like you I felt I should go as long as I could. Bollocks to that now, I’m having my second soon and will finish at 37 weeks. I don’t want to be at work one day and then in hospital with a newborn the next. Others may feel different, but I certainly want at least a few chilled out days before LO arrives.

First I finished at 36 weeks under consultant advice

Second pregnancy I finished up at 32 weeks due to struggling and it was the right decision.

babies came at 37+5 and 38 weeks

If it makes you feel better I went at 29 weeks and I had no health problems at all. I claimed it was for “childcare issues” with my eldest but really it was because I couldn’t wait to get away from that job 😂

No regrets whatsoever it was great. It’s nobody else’s business but yours!

My last day I'd be 33+4 Using annual leave. And then Mat pay from 35+5. I can't wait to leave so fed up. I wouldn't want to wait longer. I felt that starting Mat pay 4 weeks before due date sounded Good to me.