When did you take maternity leave?

[elm26]

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 😊

32 weeks at my choice. I took 4 weeks of sick leave to do so but my job was so stressful and I went back to work at 5.5 months to a different job. Never regret having that time to myself before my life completely changed overnight. Planning on doing the same this time so I get as much quality time with my LO as possible before the new arrival.

Started my mat leave on my due date and DS was born 3 days later.
I have 3 weeks of holiday before may leave started so worked till 37 weeks. I wanted to have more time with DS rather than say around waiting for him.

First child I was working full time, no problems with the pregnancy, I finished 8 weeks before.
second child I was working 2 days a week, again no pregnancy problems, finished 4 weeks before.
Too many expectant mothers work too close to time IMO, some unfortunately have no choice but some prioritise work over their own well-being.

I had a planned c section at 39 weeks and worked until 37 weeks, but I should have finished earlier. I had terrible PGP and the commute was very painful from around 30 weeks, and honestly my brain just wasn't working by 37 weeks. If I were to have another I'd start at around 34 weeks ideally.

I wasn't bored at home at all, I love not working 😁I did a lot of cleaning and organising in my two weeks off, could have done with more time.

I had an ELCS at 38+6 and I worked until 37+6. Where I live we have to go on leave 2 weeks before the due date but as I was having an ELCS I managed to get away with working up to a week before having the baby. I wanted more time after the baby than before.

I finished at 38 weeks with both of mine. Ended up having four weeks off before DS as he was two weeks late, and three before DD (one week late). Tbh I really enjoyed that time, especially first time - I think it’s the only time in my life I’ve had four weeks just for me. But then I was very lucky to be able to stay off until after his first birthday using leave. Only you know what’s best for you.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

I want to leave my maternity leave, to as late as possible, I am currently 27 weeks and just am totally crashing in the afternoon, I literally cannot stay awake. I am really struggling to work, has anyone else experienced this?

@Chey1980
I struggled hugely with pregnancy fatigue in the third trimester. Though it was a twin pregnancy and very complicated as I had lots of conditions (GD, cholestatis and others)
I got through just by taking naps during my lunch hour and not travelling after 26 weeks.
My consultant advised no driving after this point anyway so it made it easy to explain this to work, though they were fine about it.
Look after you x