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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 / will you start maternity leave with second baby?

35 replies

Justmycat · 09/04/2023 09:32

First baby was born amidst covid and lockdowns so things were very different and I ended up ‘working from home’ (in all honesty not doing very much) for the duration of my pregnancy.

Now with a two year old and at six months pregnant I’m tired 🥱 original plan was to go off at 36 weeks (planned section at 39) but wondering if I’ll make it that long … How about others?

OP posts:

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Roundaboutabee · 09/04/2023 09:35

My job is a sit on your bottom job and at the time of my maternity leaves I could work at home occasionally but not routinely. I took a week or two of annual leave before my due date for all three of my babies, but starting my maternity leaves from my due date each time - but I only took six months off so wanted to prioritise it for time with the baby.

TheGriffle · 09/04/2023 09:38

I was planning on finishing work on my due date for dd2 (dd1 was 11 days overdue and I was off for over a month with no baby so wanted to avoid that again). Dd2 had other plans and came just over a week early so my may leave started on the day she was born. I had a sedentary office job with minimal commute (10 mins drive down the road).

KitKatLove · 09/04/2023 09:42

1st, 8 weeks before
2nd, 5 weeks before

Geranium1984 · 09/04/2023 10:02

Same as you OP, first born summer 2020 I worked from home till one week before my due date, baby came at 41 weeks so I had 2 weeks off.
Second, worked till 38 weeks, baby arrived on due date.
Was good to have a few days when my eldest was still in nursery to go to the hair dresser, I went to a different cafe every day. Have some me time.

shivawn · 09/04/2023 10:09

I won't be pushing myself to stay in work if I'm struggling. The way I see it is I'll just be a burden to my colleagues if they have to pick up the slack for me and I absolutely hate the thought of that. Much better to go out early and then they'll get cover for me.

I'm a nurse on a busy hospital ward and I'll probably go out on sick leave around 32 weeks at the latest and then my maternity leave will start at 38 weeks. This is normal enough in my job but I've seen people go by 20 weeks depending on how the pregnancy is going.

Original poster

Justmycat · 09/04/2023 10:33

Thanks, I’m definitely wanting a couple of days ‘me time’ as you say! We won’t get it again for a while!

OP posts:

Dyra · 09/04/2023 10:42

@shivawn If you're off sick due to pregnancy, won't they make you start your maternity leave at 36 weeks? I'm in the NHS too, and when I had to go off sick at 36+1 with DC1, it triggered immediately. Or is Covid protocols still in effect for frontline staff?

Specifically with my second, I was due right at the end of March, so took all the annual leave I had left (2.5 weeks) with maternity leave starting at 38 weeks. Iirc my last day would have been 35+1. After what had happened with DC1, I had actually wanted to be off from 34 weeks, incase it happened again (it did) but just didn't have the annual leave for it, and didn't want maternity leave too far forward incase it didn't.

None of it mattered, as due to Covid I was off from 28 weeks (about the only positive thing from Covid), and maternity leave was triggered early due to pregnancy sickness again (37+1 this time).

PickledScrump · 09/04/2023 10:50

First I went at 36 weeks and it was definitely too early I was so bored. 2nd was a lockdown baby but I was still at my physical job. Went at 38 weeks, was much better

shivawn · 09/04/2023 14:57

@Dyra I live in Ireland and work for the HSE (our public health service). Maternity leave starts on the Sunday 2 weeks before your due date regardless of sick leave. My last pregnancy was during covid too and I got signed out as soon as they found out I was pregnant (17 weeks), that was way too early especially considering that I went to 42 weeks. I think 28 weeks sounds like a lovely time to go.

OlympiaLove · 09/04/2023 14:58

Normally about 33/34 weeks but I’m a mental health nurse who previously worked in a busy ward and felt it too much towards the end.

MrsSamR · 09/04/2023 15:15

I had the same situation as you - first baby was born in May 2020 so was furloughed and maternity leave was a bit disappointing! This time round I wanted to enjoy it so went off at the end of September with a planned section for 20th October to give me 3 weeks before she came to relax. Was about right to be honest.

Dyslexicwonder · 09/04/2023 15:20

My 2nd was due 2nd of October, finished work in mid August to toilet train DC1 and settle him into nursery, before the baby came. Had some lovely times together.

Meeb · 09/04/2023 15:27

Finished work at 37 weeks, so 2 weeks before planned section. Although mines a WFH 'easy' job, I did regret that decision over the last few weeks of working!

Married2019 · 09/04/2023 17:11

Exact same situation for me! 2020 baby and WFH for most of months 3-9, this time I finished at 37 weeks although my maternity starts at 39 (or when they call for me for my CS - whichever first) but that’s because I’m a teacher and get the Easter hols “off” x

Moni81 · 09/04/2023 17:13

I'm due the end of August, I could work right to the end as I it's easy job, I just sit all the time, can even stretch and relax, noone to watch me at night lol. However I have all my holiday to use and can only leave 5 days for next year. Plus to be honest it's very convenient for me to go earlier about 35 weeks around time when my older kids finish school and enjoy being off during summer.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 09/04/2023 17:30

With my second I was at work the day before the birth and went back to work after two weeks. It was my shortest leave and I regretted it. It depends on how long you are wanting to take after the baby is born. If it’s weeks then I’d go as close to your due date as you physically can, but if it’s months it might be easier to take a couple of weeks before to be in good shape for the birth.

allgoodthings84 · 09/04/2023 19:19

I’m having a weeks annual leave 2 weeks before due date but as I’m having a c section will be around a week before I have the baby so maternity will kick in then anyway. I could have longer but it’s the school summer holidays so easier to be at work in front of my computer with air conditioning 😂. Definitely want one week off before though to spend with my daughter before the baby arrives

Betsyboo87 · 09/04/2023 19:36

Same situation, first was born in Summer 2020 so life was pretty slow and I was wfh. Second is due any day now and I finished at 36 weeks. I actually wish I’d finished sooner as I really struggled in the office in the last few weeks. My mat cover training was pretty intense and I was also iron deficient which didn’t help. I’ve absolutely loved the last few weeks at home with DS at nursery too. It’s been a lovely mix of meeting friends for coffee/lunch, nesting and relaxing. I highly recommend! Not in the UK though so anytime I take before the baby is born doesn’t affect the amount of leave I can take after he is here.

Sallyh87 · 09/04/2023 19:41

First pregnancy worked till 37 weeks, when I was induced. This time I took annual leave / maternity leave from 31 weeks. I was tired and while I just worked from home, I was mentally very tired. Hats off to nurses on this thread who manage to work in the late pregnancy! I am 35 weeks now and finding my house stairs difficult.

Hellocatshome · 09/04/2023 19:44

I work in an office job so worked up until 1 week before my due date with both of mine.

SparkleSpangle · 09/04/2023 19:56

I was a teacher. Christmas holidays started when I was 36 and a half weeks. My official maternity started when school went back at 39 weeks and 2 days. Had 1 day of maternity leave before DS decided to arrive! (I did do a smug drive past the school on that 1 day though!)

Aquarium321 · 09/04/2023 20:17

Finished at 38 weeks, baby came 38 + 1 by lunchtime 🫢

ParentsTrapped · 09/04/2023 20:30

Finished at 38 weeks both times (office job but stressful). DC1 arrived at 40+13 so had almost a month off and it felt too long. DC2 arrived 39+6 and that felt perfect.

Starrynight23 · 09/04/2023 20:39

I'm a nurse practitioner in an admissions unit so completely agree with this. I had complications with my last pregnancy and was off from 29 weeks.

I would just check with your trust as NHS scotland if you are off with a pregnancy related condition from I think either 35/36 weeks. The trust can automatically make you start matty leave. Obviously this might be totally fine for you it's just so you can check.

Dyra · 09/04/2023 22:42

@shivawn Never occurred to me people might be posting from elsewhere! 😅My apologies. How long do you get, and is the two weeks prior to due date included?

You're not wrong about going off at 28 weeks. My second was a much harder pregnancy, and I was constantly exhausted. If Covid hadn't been around I would have gotten exactly one day of maternity leave before being hospitalised. One whole day more than with DC1, but still...

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