Maternity leave - when to start

[Katmunky]

Hi all, I'm expecting my first baby in early May (6th). I am unsure when to plan to take leave - I will be taking a year. I know I want enough time for myself before the arrival but also don't want to be sat around waiting! I am aware the first one can often be late too - any advice would be appreciated.

I'd play it by ear. Advise work to be prepared, i.e. have cover in place by 36 weeks. It's always wise for them to be covered by this time anyway as in theory you could need to go off at any time.
Then if you're feeling knackered, start leave, if not keep going until you can't.
Personally, and having done this (I went off at 36 weeks) i'd prefer all the time with baby, having that much rest isn't really in keeping with what you've got to come and probably makes life harder if anything!

It’s so unpredictable. With my first, I finished at 37.5 weeks and DS was born two days later!

Because I felt robbed of time at home before baby arrived with my first, for my second, I finished earlier and sat at home waiting for four weeks! I needed that break so don’t regret it, but wouldn’t have finished so early had I known he would be later than DS!

I had my first baby last month. I went at 34 weeks (using up my annual leave then going on to mat leave) and she was born at 41+4. I loved it - spent the days walking my dog, baking, seeing friends/family and doing some big jobs around the house before the baby arrived. I’d definitely recommend going a bit early to take some time for yourself if you can afford it.

I was due 01/05, paid Mat leave would finish in early Jan. so I had to take my full annual entitlement before Mat leave as I would have accrued it over the year anyway.

So I think I went off mid March (6 weeks of leave) and then baby was born late April)

I think you have to give a fair amount of notice? Sorry I can't remember.

How old are you?

I was 24 and worked in a warehouse at the time. DD was due 21st, I stopped working 1st as it was easy by payroll and then she wasn't born until 29th but I was in hospital a few days before. It was the most boring 3 weeks of my life. My house was spotless, my dog was walked to an inch of his life and I watched every program available. I'd say 1-2 weeks if you're young. 2 if you're not.

Do you have much annual leave left Op?

Both times I have taken 2 weeks of annual leave and then started actual mat leave 2 weeks before due date.

I personally didn’t get bored, it’s more of a time to rest as you won’t get much of a chance to rest for x years.

I am also in office roles but felt ready to stop work by that time. There are other things to factor like pelvic pain, or how well you’re sleeping. I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant have had to sleep upright for the last 2 months due to hip pain.

I can wfh so I'm planning on starting maternity leave from my due date and wfh from around 38+3. Longer you take off before, less time after - and I can't afford to take more than the 39 paid weeks.

I’m 36 (will be 37 when born). I manage a team of 15 but WFH - I think I’d like to work as long as I can but I’d regret not having some time to myself before… but I guess it’s all guess work really!

This is a really good point. I’m already sleeping badly… so by that point they’ll be no hope!

i get really good Maternity and will have two years of AL to use too. Likely to use 4.5weeks for 2024 and 3 weeks for 2025

I saved up annual leave so that I went off at 37 weeks but that 3 weeks was holiday, didn’t start actual maternity leave until due date. And then when I returned to work I used the holiday I’d accrued over the year off to “start” a month before I actually returned to work physically, so that I got paid Asap!

My baby arrived 10 weeks early so I didn't get any time to myself.

Make a plan by all means but babies have their own agenda.

My advice would be pack a bag as early as possible and take each day as it comes.

I would have loved 'downtime'. Instead I had 10 weeks in hospital with a tiny baby. I don't say this to scare you, I was so naive myself and wish I'd had someone to tell me about what could happen. Good luck.

I had planned to work as long as possible but I had a stressful time at work and we had a couple of weeks where baby didn't seem to be getting any bigger. I burst into tears in front of the midwife one day and she encouraged me to finish a bit sooner and rest. I stopped at 36 weeks and needed that time at home to decompress my brain.

I had 2 weeks holidays to use before the end of the holiday year so I went at 35 weeks but maternity started at 37 weeks. Turns out my waters broke at 36+4 and DD was born 37+1

With regards to annual leave, I had mine paid cash as I wouldn't have been able to use it in that financial year due to being on maternity leave. It was something like the full 20 days as I'd been saving. Definitely helped as I was only entitled to statutory. Doesn't work for everyone but something to consider.

I had 6 weeks off work before baby arrived, and unlike everyone else on this thread I loved being at home with not much to do - jigsaws, crafting, TV, some nice days out with my husband. Guess it depends what kind of person you are!

I finished at 38 weeks and my DD didn’t arrive until 40 +11 so I was very bored by the end of it. She was a summer born and there is only so much walking you want to do in the hot weather when you are feeling like a whale. This time I might be having a c section so I’m hoping to be able to stop at 38 weeks again and have her some time when I am 39 weeks.
It’s all very personal though and for some people a week off is enough before baby arrives, while others want a lot more time to prepare mentally for what’s to come (although I don’t think that anything can prepare you). Just see how you feel and make a decision that you are happy with.

I'm starting at 36 weeks. Will add holidays on at the end