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Original poster

When to start mat leave?

30 replies

Elle989898 · 19/07/2024 10:38

I am due 20th Feb, and my office closes for 10 days over Xmas and new year. I wonder if that would be a good time to start my mat leave, ie from early Jan, so I wouldn’t return after Christmas. Or does that seem a bit early? Obviously I might go overdue. Interested to know what others have done?

(Also, I know this is very in advance, but I’ve had two years of TTC and loss, and now trying to enjoy planning for and thinking about this new pregnancy!)

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quickoffthemark · 19/07/2024 10:39

your call

it will eat in to time with your baby the other side though

Gilo2024 · 19/07/2024 10:59

I'd work as close as you can to the birth, you get more time with baby rather than alone at home

DisgruntledPelican · 19/07/2024 11:05

Personally I would have found that a bit early. I had a similar due date but my workplace operates all through Xmas and new year so there was no obvious “end point” there. I stopped in mid January and was a few days over due date so I had almost three weeks off to rest and get sorted out, which was ideal.

it depends on how you’re handling the pregnancy though - I was fit and well with no aches, pains or issues until the final weeks, and a sedentary job. YMMV!

BeautyAndTheBump1 · 19/07/2024 11:33

I think that would be too early personally. I would be bored and it would make the day's much slower in the lead up - I would say anything from end of Jan / start of Feb

Wimbledoner · 19/07/2024 11:34

Early Feb?

Mrsttcno1 · 19/07/2024 11:36

Personally I wanted as much time with my baby as possible so I went off with annual leave at 39 weeks then maternity kicked in once she was born. Now she’s 12 weeks old and I’m so glad I did it this way as I don’t want to leave her a single day earlier than I have to

CMG92 · 19/07/2024 11:51

I’m due today and I finished at 34weeks for 2weeks holiday then mat leave started at 36weeks. I can honestly say I was so ready, I haven’t been well for most of my pregnancy and I work on my feet for 9hrs a day. I haven’t been bored as I met up with friends and got jobs done around the house. This last week I have been slightly more bored as it’s been so warm and I’m due I haven’t wanted to do much! All I would say is see how you feel around October/november time and do what feels best for you, good luck x

Killerqueenie · 19/07/2024 11:52

With my first, I was due on 17th March, I had loads of annual leave left to take, so I finished around 19th Feb but ended up having my baby on 26th Feb. I wouldn't have wanted loads of time off before but did want a bit longer than a week 😂

Wormfanclub · 19/07/2024 11:53

2 weeks before my due date with both of mine. And that was plenty of time. It’s better to use the time with baby.

MrsBrightsidde · 19/07/2024 11:54

That sounds really early. It will depend on how you feel and how comfortable you are, but keep in mind it will eat into time with your child on the other side.

With my first, I finished at 37+5 and went into labour two days later…

With my second, I finished at 36 weeks thinking that my second will be earlier but he arrived at 39 weeks. It was lovely having a few weeks off and 3 was just the right time, but I am a bit sad it’s affected my return to work date.

Daisiesonthegarden · 19/07/2024 11:54

I think the danger of starting it too early is that you can become accustomed to lying around and being a bit lazy, having naps and resting and then it’s a huge shock to the system when the baby arrives - I know because that’s what happened to me when I had mine, although it was due to covid and lockdowns rather than starting maternity leave too early!

fierybrunette · 19/07/2024 11:55

I stopped at 36 weeks and was very glad I did. Had planned to stop at 37 but I had pgp and could hardly walk

motheroreily · 19/07/2024 15:10

What is your job and commute like? If it's quite physical or a long commute I'd want to finish early. But if not I'd wait as long as possible.

With my first I went on leave at 37 weeks and I went 2 weeks overdue. But I had a 2 hour commute so didn't mind. This times I went on leave at 38 weeks and he was born 5 days later!

Outliers · 19/07/2024 16:39

Depends on you and your circumstances. My preference is to maximise time spent on leave actually looking after the baby.

My last day of work is incidentally today. I'm due on Monday. Though I'll very likely be overdue.

CrumbleTots · 19/07/2024 16:44

Is this your first? If so, it's weighing up extra time with your child Vs the only time you'll get for a proper break for possibly many years! I think it's worth going into the first few weeks post partum as well rested as you can.

Yerroblemom1923 · 19/07/2024 16:50

I think it's a bit early. You want most of your time off with your baby! I worked until 38 weeks. This was perfect as my waters went on my last day of work - finished at 5 had baby at 7.50. I took a year off by adding hols and unpaid leave but it's worth working up till you can so as to spend the time enjoying your new baby.

Chocolatelover13 · 19/07/2024 16:51

I had the same due date and went off 10 days before as felt well enough and thought I would rather have the time once baby was here

DippyDuck19 · 19/07/2024 17:05

That's probably a little early. I am due 14th Jan and will be starting mat leave 2nd of Jan. However I have 5 weeks of annual leave to take prior to this.

Scaevola · 19/07/2024 17:25

I kept going each time until v close to my due dates, because I wanted the time afterwards when the baby was here.

But I had a desk job and a comfortable journey there. If it had been more physically demanding, I might have made different choices.

WaltzingWaters · 19/07/2024 17:32

Depends really on what your job and commute is like, but I think unless hugely demanding you’d want to wait longer before starting ML so you get more time off with your baby.
I started ML a month before due date but my job was quite physical and also held some potential risks. It’s nice to have a little break before baby comes, but you’ll also get impatient waiting for their arrival, and it’s nice to have that extra time with baby at the end of ML.

bookish83 · 19/07/2024 17:33

Could you see what a/l you have left to take and do a few short weeks in Jan?

I went off at 34 weeks- 2 weeks a/l then mat leave started and I loved that time.... but I was on my feet all day and a long commute. I needed and wanted the break but equally it would have been fine to go longer if I had to!

What your mat package is would also help make the decision

ChaiLovingMama · 19/07/2024 17:40

Congratulations! I'd agree with others that that's too early. I stopped at 39 weeks and had my baby at 41 weeks + 5 days so was glad I didn't use up any further mat leave time pre-baby! As others have said, you want as much time with your baby once they are born.

Chocolate12345678 · 19/07/2024 18:19

I'm thinking December 10th saving two weeks annual leave to tag on the front - my due date is January 17th - Christmas is quiet at work and will be nice to be all cosy and warm inside relaxing !

TemuSpecialBuy · 19/07/2024 18:53

quickoffthemark · 19/07/2024 10:39

your call

it will eat in to time with your baby the other side though

This.
Some people really cant handle itbut if you can do.

I had elcs and went off one week before with my first and 1 day before with my second

veritusvarity · 19/07/2024 19:11

My baby was a nightmare and I couldn't wait to get back to work and hand her over to nursery BlushGrin. So I was very glad I finished at 36 weeks and enjoyed my five weeks 'freedom' (dd born at 41 weeks). She's a lovely teen now, but some babies are really hard work (understatement of the year).
Congratulations on your pregnancy op.