When to go off on maternity leave for second baby?

[TwinkleTwinkleX]

Hey,
Trying to figure out when to go off on maternity for my second baby (we have a 3 yr old already)
Our first baby was 4 days late.
Currently thinking of finishing a week before due date but tagging on 1 or 2 weeks holiday before hand so that I have some time to chill / nest beforehand. My work is office based and I may have the option to wfh a bit towards the end too.

Does that sound about right? Keen to know what others have done.
obviously want to make sure I have enough maternity with baby once they arrive (likely need to go back at 10/11 months) x

As late as you can. I wouldn’t waste your holiday 2 weeks before and be on your own - use it for 2 weeks after ML ends so you can spend it with the baby and older child (even better if your partner can do the same and he can maybe take over baby duties for a bit while you spend some special time with your older child).
Good luck!!!

I’m thinking of doing the same as you OP, a couple of weeks holiday before due date and then start mat leave on the due date. Thought it’d be nice to spend some time with older DC before baby arrives, and also think I’ll be exhausted by then! I’ll stick loads of holiday on the end too which will overlap with DH, as we’ll do shared parental leave.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to carry over any of the days I don’t use this year (holiday runs to July and baby is coming end of June)
I could take some time before though..

I took a month off before with DC2, it was nice to spend some one to one time with the other DC before the chaos, and I was tired, and not at all committed to work by that point. It was a lovely month!

I think 2 weeks before due date is a good idea. I had 2 weeks booked but they had to bring baby out asap after my 36w scan so ended up finishing work Friday evening and having EMCS a few days later so my weekend went rushing here and there getting tiny baby sizes etc and I didn't have time to reset at all before the baby was here. I could have really done with those 2 weeks not working and just preparing for the new baby.

If you won’t be able to carry time over, and have holiday left to use then I’d use it all up and finish however long before the due date. You might as well take it!

I think 3-4 weeks before due date would be ideal, you’ll get to spend 1-1 with your DC and wind down before baby comes.

I worked to 37+2 with my first, I had an ELCS at 39w and felt like I got no downtime. I was running to appointments, nesting and I was exhausted and in absolute agony going to work in the last few weeks. I plan on taking 3-4w annual leave before starting my mat leave this time.

I'm still working at 38 weeks, my DS is at school and I wfh so just made more sense to carry on as long as possible, it's keeping me busy but I am looking forward to finishing now (next week)

I second this. I appreciate working to the end for money but for headspace I go at 36 weeks.

Hoping this time it means I can do the pick ups for my eldest and have extra chats pre baby.

I'm going off at 36+2 with this one (2 weeks to go!) - and using a/l until my due date. Gives me time to rest and nest while older one is in nursery, and spend time with her when she's not. Physically going in is becoming more and more difficult though so going to mainly wfh from now on.

I'm going at 35 weeks with this one. I've got a 4 year old not yet in school and I work 12 hour shifts, I won't make it much longer! I'm using a months annual leave before my ML starts at 39 weeks.

I'm finishing at 35+3 and taking 12 days holiday (this works out at being 4 weeks for me as I work 3 days). I think I'm going to need the 3 days a week to relax and do last minute preparations for this baby, while my toddler is at nursery!

I'm starting maternity leave on my due date.

I am then going to take the other 4 weeks of holiday that I can roll over at the end of maternity leave (realise that isn't an option for you!)

My first was 2 weeks overdue. Where I work we have to take mat leave 2 weeks before due date, it’s the policy. However I might take some annual leave too. I would run the risk then of being off for too long if I’m 2 weeks overdue again.

I'm due on the 6th March and my ML is starting 2nd March. However I am using leave so will be 37+6 when I finish work. Counting down the days!!