How far in advance to take annual leave / maternity leave for baby #2

[theinterest]

I’m looking for some advice from mums who have been in a similar situation on how far in advance to take a combination of annual leave and start maternity leave a head of my due date for baby number 2. I currently work 4 days a week with the other day at home with my very active toddler (who will have just turned 2). I’m suffering quite a bit from pelvic girdle pain too and I’m only 23 weeks along and worry it might make managing late state pregnancy even harder than last time. Thanks :)

This is more HR advice.

As long as you can carry over your annual leave I would save it to take after your maternity leave - it gives you more flexibility.

The earliest you can start mat leave is 11 weeks before your EWC so c29 weeks.

If you are signed off sick with a pregnancy related illness/condition then your mat leave must start 4 weeks before your EWC or c36 weeks.

Your GP can do a fit note at anytime recommending reasonable adjustments for example working from home, a seated job etc. This will be specific to your job.

My advice is make sure you get risk assessments, fit notes from your GP etc. now and put reasonable adjustments in place early rather than trying to cope. Don’t try to push through. If necessary get fit notes signing you off and start mat leave at 36 weeks.

HTH

I’m planning on finishing about 36 weeks. I went to 39 last time and it was too late.

I know everyone says to save it to have more time with your LO, but tbh I was kind of ready to go back to work, whereas those last few weeks working were awful!

Im thinking if I finish at 36 weeks I’ll get lots of nice one on one time with my eldest, and with holiday can still take the full year if I want to.

The other reason for saving annual leave is so you can phase your return e.g. 25 days leave is 5 weeks leave but could be 2 days leave 3 days work for 12 weeks or 2 days a week for 4 weeks (12 days leave)then 3 days a week for 4 weeks (8 days leave) etc.

Alternatively saving it for if the baby is sick etc.

Thanks for the advice :)

I’m more after views on how long before due date people went off with their second and if the amount of time felt right. I’m really aware of my entitlement and am planning to keep leave back for afterwards anyway.

i worked eight up to my due date last time and feel a bit guilty thinking of taking two to three weeks off before hand this time! Especially as everyone says save it until after!

I always leave as early as possible lol but luckily my holidays reset in January and I have all winter babies so I can make sure I save my holidays.

I finished 2.5 weeks before my first (worked full time) and just over 4 weeks before my second. I’m due end of October/early November this year and my last working day is the 30th September. I’ve been part time 2/3 days a week since I went back to work after my first so I don’t have to book as many days to they spread a lot more!

I personally wouldn’t use actual maternity leave until as late as possible as I would rather spend all my mat leave with baby rather than before x