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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

When did you take maternity leave?

33 replies

elm26 · 17/12/2022 10:45

If anyone has seen my previous threads, you'll know that I've had lots and lots of miscarriages and this bubs is the only one I've made it this far with (17 weeks).

I have been signed off sick since 7 weeks, I was on bedrest for 5 weeks until 12 weeks and then I've had another certificate which brings me up until start of January as my anxiety has been enormous (I am under my local perinatal MH health team who have been wonderful).

When did you take your maternity leave? I work in a stressful job but it is office based so I can sit down all day and it's not physically strenuous.

I was thinking around 25th April when I'll be 35 weeks but due to high risk pregnancy, I may be having a C-section between 38 and 39 weeks which only gives me 3 or 4 weeks.

We are also moving in March so I was planning on spending my maternity leave sorting their room out, relaxing, washing baby clothes and getting any last bits into place with the house.

My DH has his own business and we have been putting some money aside to allow him 2-3 weeks off when baby is born.

Any advice or personal stories of maternity leave would be great 😊

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Roserunner · 17/12/2022 10:52

I was due early Jan, I saved up my holiday most of the year and with Christmas etc it meant I had virtually the whole of December off and my mat leave officially started the day before I was due. I then had my DC a few days later.

Dinosaurpoopy · 17/12/2022 16:55

With DS due 29th Jan, finished with school term for Christmas (20th December) then officially started 3rd Jan

With this baby due 2nd May, school term ends 30th March, officially start 16th april

J1290 · 17/12/2022 17:00

Always gone at 34 weeks. Heavy load job non stop on feet for 12 hes cnt manage after that

Tisfortired · 17/12/2022 17:03

Hi OP I also work in a stressful yet office based job. I am currently 35+4 and next Friday will be my last day in the office at 36+3 when we break for Christmas. I am then planning on WFH until Friday 6th Jan and taking annual leave until he’s born when my maternity leave kicks in (he’s due 17th Jan)

I could really have just finished next Friday and not done wfh first week Jan but I wanted to work as long as I could so I get more time with him when he’s earth sides! Also I only get stat mat pay which is rubbish.

I hope you manage to relax soon, and congratulations.

mrscotton · 17/12/2022 17:06

I work in an office of a small team. I was due 12th March and finished on 18th Feb. Little man decided to arrive on the 09th March and still didn’t have everything ready.

Monkeyseesmonkeydoesn · 17/12/2022 17:14

3 weeks prior to due date with first and 1 week prior with second. Desk job, full time hours.

USaYwHatNow · 17/12/2022 17:16

I'm a non clinical Midwifery manager and planned to work until 38 weeks. Occy health laughed me off the phone and told me to go at 36 weeks which I agreed to.

Was then admitted with Pre eclampsia at 34+2 and was an inpatient until I was induced at 37+1 so my mat leave started earlier 😂

If I'm honest, I would go as soon as you can afford. I wish i hadn't pushed myself to try and prove a point because I was knackered by the end.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 17/12/2022 17:17

I was planning to work till my due date but then I got GD and was planned for induction at 37.5 weeks so I worked till the day before induction instead.

20viona · 17/12/2022 17:26

Birth times finished at 36 weeks gave birth induced at 37 weeks.
Much better to be off with the baby afterwards for longer than before but it all depends. I massively struggled at the end but for some reason was insistent on carrying on.

Bee16 · 17/12/2022 17:31

I'm 38 weeks currently. Finished work at 35 weeks - 2 weeks annual leave and then started mat leave at 37 weeks.
My job is office based too, and I would have liked to start a bit later but I was starting to struggle.

PeachyMama · 17/12/2022 17:34

I went on mat leave 4 weeks before I was due (desk job but very stressful) but baby boy decided to come early at 37w 4 days so I only had a week and a half of mat leave to enjoy (over the august heatwave this year).... still slightly bitter about it haha

sneezums · 17/12/2022 17:34

With my first I left about a 4-5 weeks before my EDD and then they were 2 weeks late and I was bored.. next two also late snd pretty much worked (from home) up to their due dates. I'd rather have the time off after...

Anewhoo · 17/12/2022 17:40

I think it depends on the maternity/shared parental leave you have. I also had multiple miscarriages, and was booked for a section. I wanted to work right to the end (I could work from home, but have to go into the office occasionally), I have a pretty stressful job (architect), but wanted the maximum time after the baby was born as we don’t get much leave! I felt so much better in the third trimester. I had a section booked at 39 weeks and planned maternity leave a week before that. I actually went into labour the day my maternity leave started - I had climbed up some scaffolding a week before! I’m really glad I had more time off with the baby,- friend had booked a month off before and was bored witless and really regretted it.

Daffodil21 · 17/12/2022 17:44

I went on maternity leave from pretty much the first week I could. My old employer was basically trying to force me out, and like you I'd multiple miscarriages and I didn't want the stress. So I simultaneously resigned and went on maternity leave I think in my 26 week or something (however early it is you can take it).

Obviously that's an extreme example but don't feel pushed to work until x week if you'd like the time. Of course it does mean your baby is younger than average when your maternity pay stops though

QueenWenceslas · 17/12/2022 17:46

All the best for the rest of your pregnancy OP.
I worked up to 36 weeks with my first, that was because I had 2 weeks of annual leave to use up before my maternity kicked in.
I had all these wonderful ideas about how I would get so many things done around the house before the baby came, but the reality was that I had horrific PGP and could hardly move by the time I finished work.

With my second I worked up to 38 weeks. Little bugger was ten days late too.

Anonymouslyposting · 17/12/2022 18:00

I worked until 38 weeks with my first, it was during covid so I was able to work from home and baby was 10 days late so that worked fine.

This time I’m going at 35+5 - I’m taking two weeks’ holiday over Christmas then will start maternity leave at 38 weeks. I’ve been much more tired and ill with the second pregnancy so need a break before the baby comes and it’s looking likely he might be early (though who knows!)

Yerroblemom1923 · 17/12/2022 18:06

I worked until 38 weeks. Waters broke on last day. Came home and had my baby. Couldn't see the point of wasting my mat leave watching daytime telly and wanted to spend it with my baby so it all worked out well for us. I'd work as long as possible if it's just an office-based sit down job, it'll keep your mind occupied too and help your anxiety levels.

justanotherlaura · 17/12/2022 19:11

I was planning on taking 2 weeks annual leave at 38 weeks and maternity starting from due date but I was so tired and not concentrating on work I finished up a week early, it was lovely having 3 weeks before baby came to relax and nap, it's only 1 week extra less at the end though as he came on his due date, might have felt differently if he'd been 2 weeks late

lmw88 · 17/12/2022 20:19

Good to read the experiences of those that have been through this before. I'm first time round. Was hoping to work til 37wks hopefully carry over a week annual leave from this year so technically start mat leave at 38wks. My job is fairly much office / clinic based so hoping I'll be all good!

MissNat13 · 17/12/2022 20:21

With my first I saved all my annual leave so I took 4 weeks off and my son came a week into maternity leave which was perfect for me. I was able to rest and prepare. I work with young people which can be challenging at times so it was best decision for me.
I plan to do the same when my LO is due in May as I will have my refreshed annual leave for the year to take.

BabyB2022 · 17/12/2022 20:42

I worked until 38 weeks first time, DD arrived at 39 weeks. Finishing at 37 weeks this time, using annual leave until my due date. I want to save as much time for after and luckily feeling well enough to continue working.

AnnieApple123 · 17/12/2022 20:58

It was going to be 31 weeks. Then Covid happened and it ended up being 28 weeks, stopping work literally overnight with no time for goodbyes when pregnant women were made a vulnerable group . Honestly I was so grateful for that extra time. Whilst everyone else seemed to be bored and fed up in lockdown, I felt like I had plenty to keep me occupied doing all the things you mention.

PointyMcguire · 20/12/2022 06:03

I finished up yesterday at 36+5, although have used holiday to take me up until my due date. I’d planned to return post-Christmas break but my lovely boss talked me out of it as I’d only be in for a matter of days before I’m due.

PeppermintChoc · 20/12/2022 06:04

37 weeks. I had both mine at 39. I was ready then.

nameconundrum · 20/12/2022 06:12

38 weeks with both of mine. Like a previous poster, couldn't see the point of taking it earlier, sitting around watching tv worrying about everything, would rather have the extra time after with baby. Worked out really well for me both times.

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