When to take maternity leave?

[PigeonDuckGoose]

My manager has asked me to start to think about when I will take maternity leave.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and I haven't even thought about it so far because after multiple losses then anomalies at our 12 week scan we didn't think we would even get this far. (We've now been cleared for any chromesone abnormalities, baby is looking normal at the last 3 scans, we just need to pass an echocardio this week).

With my son I went off quite close to my due date, but money forced my hand a little there and I wished I was off a bit earlier. I don't want to waste mat leave being fat and grumpy with no baby yet though.

I work a hybrid office role, so not on my feet or any manual labour. It is quite a stressful role though.

When did you take maternity?

I went off 3 weeks before. I was ready to stop working, but was bored out of my mind at home after about 10 days as there's only so much cleaning and batch cooking you can do!

I’d just tell them you plan to stay until (whatever you think is the latest you’re willing to do) but with the condition if you are still feeling well enough.

What I would do is get an agreement in place that you can wfh for the last few weeks before you go off. Say from 30wks onwards. I don’t think that’s unreasonable and I imagine most would accommodate. Especially as that’s when the appointments start to become more regular.

With my first (due 30/12) I went off 16/12 as my husbands work finished then for his Christmas break. I took some annual leave as I had yum phd graduation so just after 37 weeks, working full time in office. I ended up being late and finding that quite stressful when everyone was going back to work and I was bored at home by myself. Now I only work 3 days a week, and WFH since 35 weeks and will continue until at least 39 weeks potentially taking that week as AL and may leave starting on my due date.

I work in HR & have been on mat leave myself - 2 weeks in pretty common. Not too early that if baby is late you’ve wasted loads but does give you time if baby is early … depends on how stressful your work is / how much you have to get done before baby gets here etc - as you can’t know for sure how early / late baby will be there’s no right answer!

Eight weeks before my first and four weeks before my second.

I’ve started mat leave on my due date for all three babies. With the first, I took annual leave from week 38 but I couldn’t bear hanging around wondering if labour had started, so I signed up for some extra shifts. Personally, I hate the waiting game and am really lucky to feel quite well at the end of pregnancy (after vomiting endlessly through the first half). I would rather have as much possible time off once the baby has arrived - going back to work and leaving them is something I always want to delay as long as I can!

Im currently 32+4, STM. I work from home so atleast I don't have to worry about commuting. I've been feeling ikay this trimester minus the odd pelvic pain every now and then. Will be working till 37+2, then 1 week of annual leave and mat leave starts at 39wks.
My first born arrived at 39wks so even if the second arrives a little early I'm hoping I'll have a few days to myself to relax before he arrives.