When did you start your maternity leave?

[loullou90]

Hi, sorry if this is posted on the wrong sub-thread, I couldn’t find one more appropriate.

When did you start your maternity leave? My baby is due in late October 24 and I’m thinking of starting it at 37 weeks, as the nursery we want would like the baby to start in September 24 (not ideal but we love the nursery so..) I’m planning on taking the full 12 months. I realise the norm is 38 weeks, I have an office job.

Thanks 😊

Sorry, meant my baby is due in October 23!

Day before my csection

But I was wfh due to covid

I think that sounds fine. I’m due end of December and planning to finish the 18th December, so a week off, then Xmas, then baby!

I’ll then ‘return’ early December, but only work a few days then be off for Xmas starting nursery Jan 2025.

I think whatever works for you is fine!

26 weeks and in hospital at 27 until I had DS at 32 weeks.

I was due 6th Jan, finished up 24th Dec as we'd be on holidays over festive period anyway.
Waters broke 31st Dec and dd was born 3rd Jan

I wanted to work as close to possible to due date to get as much from mat leave as possible

I would book as close to due date because you don't know how you'll feel and then if you need to finish sooner you can. If you book 37 weeks but don't have baby till 42 that's 5 weeks used before baby even gets here.
With dc1 I finished at 38 weeks as I was a nurse on my feet all day. With dt I was signed off and put on bed rest so automatically went on to maternity leave at 36 weeks but gave birth at 37.
It does depend on how you are financially and how your pregnancy goes but you can always move things earlier if need be you can't usually continue to work longer if you decide your well enough.

My baby's due date is the 23rd July, however due to having gestational diabetes and they've told me she's measuring bigger there is a chance that I will likely be induced early. I start my official maternity leave on the 10th July at 38 weeks but our annual holidays have recently renewed and by the time I come back it'll be too late to use them so have added 2 additional weeks so I actually finish on Friday - Can't wait as I'm shattered, still got lots to sort out, and feeling like a bit of a spare part at work due to my maternity cover taking over properly this week. 😁

32 weeks but that was to escape a busy period at work. Could have gone off with work related stress, for a few weeks- but didn’t want the hassle of GP appointments to get notes and whatnot. I wasn’t returning so it didn’t really matter- just wanted out.

you can go off whenever you like past 32 weeks. What’s usual doesn’t really matter…so what works for you

With my first I had planned to go off at 38 weeks, unfortunately bub had other ideas and I ended up finishing at 33 as my consultant put me on bed rest. Longest 7 weeks ever! This time I am planning on going off at 36 weeks to avoid additional stress. Using AL to cut down hours to part time for around 6 weeks before this.

I'm due 10th September, starting my ML on 6th September, but taking AL from 25th August. I'm only taking 8 months (and plan to use all 10 KIT days) so keen to eek out as long as possible.
Also an office job, but already uncomfortable at 28+3!

First planned to stop at 36 weeks but stopped at 34 weeks as was too tired to work anymore. Baby came at 41+5

Seconded planned to stop at 36 weeks but developed hypertension and was admitted to hospital at 30 weeks and baby came at 34+2

There's plans and then there is what happens.

I'm using annual leave to finish work at 38 weeks and mat leave on my due date

I’m due 30th July and my mat leave starts on the 24th but I’ve taken annual leave to finish on the 12th. I’m 34 weeks and more than ready to finish now. With my DS, I finished at 34 weeks as I took my Christmas annual leave and then mat leave started at 38 weeks. That was the best!

I went at 38w, but used AL for a few days so as not to start mat leave officially.

If your baby starts nursery in September 24 it could be nice to have a week or 2 with baby in nursery before you go back to work, just for some me time. So maybe no rush to start mat leave at 37w. Some of my NCT friends did this, and used the time to get a mani/pedi, new work clothes, haircut, or just relax a bit before getting back on the grind. I know it may not be possible if you need the money for childcare asap but if you can afford it it might be nice.

3 days before my due date.

I was due in late October last year and went on mat leave at the end of September. It was neat in terms of pay and felt enough time to relax before baby came.

Was meant to go off at 36 wks (non clinical midwife and worked office hours). Ended up with pre eclampsia so went off at 34 weeks and baby arrived at 37+1. Taking the full year off by using some AL.

Mat leave with first was when I was 37 weeks but second was 39 weeks

You accrue annual leave while you're on maternity leave so you can use some of that to add to the end of your mat leave to take your full year.

DD1 I was signed off at 31 weeks for the remainder of the pregnancy, mat leave kicked in at 38 as used holiday too.

DD2 one week's holiday at 38 weeks and mat leave started the day before my induction. Used the holiday as it was summer hols and wanted to spend a week my DD1 :)

DC1- 4 weeks before (was bored)
DC2 - 1 week before
DC3 - 1 day before

38 weeks. I went back when he was 3 months.

28 weeks (twin pregnancy).

I'm thinking of 38 weeks and have saved up some a/l to use up until due date.
I can wfh so I hope I won't be bored for a couple of weeks.