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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When did you start maternity leave?

49 replies

Stickytoffeepudding99 · 31/03/2026 15:54

I’m currently 26 weeks pregnant, and haven’t yet decided when to begin maternity leave. This is my first baby and I work two days a week in a nursery. When did you begin maternity leave? I’d like to maximise the time with my baby, but it’s not a sit down office type job! Any advice/experience is great

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RoyalPenguin · 01/04/2026 20:08

I worked until 37 weeks but then DS was a week late so I ended up having nearly a month.

JuniorMint14 · 01/04/2026 20:11

Around 37 and a half weeks both times. Babies were born at 38+4 and 38+6 respectively. I'm a teacher and both times picked the date because it fell at the end of a term.

the2026one · 01/04/2026 20:11

I’d planned to work up to 39+5 but somebody had other ideas and appeared (veryyy dramatically) at 39+2

Peonies12 · 01/04/2026 20:14

Worked til 39 weeks, but desk job and I Worked from home a lot. Baby came at 41 weeks, Im glad I worked that late, I was so bored waiting!!

cadburyegg · 01/04/2026 20:17

38 weeks with my first
37 weeks with my second

I was in an office job though and with my second, looking after my toddler whilst pregnant was significantly harder than going to work 🤣

WetBandits · 01/04/2026 20:19

I’m a nurse. I went to 36 weeks and took annual leave, then started mat leave at 39. I’d planned to go off a bit later, but it was getting to the point where I’d have to leave my patients halfway through their appointment so I could go to the toilet as I thought I was about to piss myself. Luckily all my patients were really understanding as I was visibly very pregnant, but I just felt so unprofessional and embarrassed!

FinallyPregnant2022 · 01/04/2026 20:31

38wks both times

BenedictsButton · 01/04/2026 20:42

Baby 1 I was working Monday to Friday 9-5, 35 hours a week and I finished work 8 weeks before.
Baby 2 I was working 2 days, 9-5, 14 hours a week and I went on maternity leave 4 weeks before.

100Otters · 01/04/2026 20:58

37 weeks. I appreciated the time at home. Work was really busy just before and I was anaemic so when I finally stopped having to keep going I just slept for the first three days.

if you are only working two days a week though I’d say you can potentially go as long as you like as you’ll still have lots of time to rest.

Baby arrived at 40+1 but planned as I knew they wouldn’t let me go overdue

Upsetbetty · 01/04/2026 21:01

The earliest possible time…29weeks…I just didn’t want to work anymore tbh 🤣🤣

PurpleFlower1983 · 01/04/2026 21:07

I started at 38 weeks and had DD at 38+2.

DS I was meant to go at 37 weeks but ended up going at 36 weeks due to a Covid outbreak at my school closing my bubble.

Shinyhappyapple · 01/04/2026 21:14

Started maternity leave at 36 weeks but DS was early and came along 4 days later. I worked in an office so not on my feet, but was full time. You may need to see how things go regarding your energy levels.

Cloop · 01/04/2026 21:18

The day I gave birth, twice. I'm a teacher and had a pretty long commute but also didn't struggle with pregnancy. Assumed first baby would be late but actually they were born a week early. Second came about a week and a half early as I expected but didn't feel I needed any time to myself. Both times I was glad I'd absolutely maximised the time I had with the baby before I needed to return to work.

HooseMidden · 01/04/2026 21:18

2 weeks before each time but they were scheduled sections so no waiting about. I was big each time though.

Kwamitiki · 01/04/2026 21:28

I had holiday I had to take before my due date (and I would accuse another 41 days when I was off) , so I was off about 5 weeks prior to my due date. It ended up being 7 weeks as she was late!

Probably just as well, as it was an insanely hot Summer- not fun to be heavily pregnant in 39c!

JumpinJehoshaphat · 01/04/2026 21:29

38 weeks both times.

Superscientist · 03/04/2026 09:54

First time officially my leave started at 39 weeks but as this was a Monday my last day was 38+4. My waters broke at 38+5 and she arrived the next day.
Second time I was made redundant at 8 weeks and didn't work again. I developed complications at 32 weeks and I would have had to stop work then
if I had been working. By the time I was called in for induction at 36+6 I had had 4 trips to triage and 2 hospital admissions. He was born at 37+1.

Shanda5 · 04/04/2026 11:45

I finished the day after my due date. Office role with a 45 min commute.

Cricketashes · 04/04/2026 11:49

I worked until my due date. I had DS 3 days later.

JumpinJellyfish · 04/04/2026 11:53

DC1 - 38 weeks and he was born at 42 weeks - I was going mad by the end!

DC2 - 38 weeks again and she was born at 39+6 - that felt like the right amount of time.

Im pregnant again and will probably go for 38 weeks again this time, all being well.

CatchHimDerry · 06/04/2026 23:07

About 30 weeks for my second, using up all holiday allowance and then mat leave. It was needed due to complications and I was struggling. Born at 39 weeks.

About 36 weeks with my 1st and was late went almost to 42 weeks

PinkOrchard · 07/04/2026 08:23

Baby 1 - technically mat leave started at 40 weeks, but I used annual leave and left at 38 weeks. Baby was born 40+4 - wish I had more time off to enjoy the peace, ha!

Baby 2 - plan to go on mat leave at 35/36 weeks. Currently 27 weeks with a 15 month old, work 3 days a week but I'm knackered already 😂 also want some time with my eldest before baby comes along!

HappyToSmile · 07/04/2026 08:25

Until my due date. But.....I have a very sedentary job and I knew I would only be able to afford to take 4 months off.

Thegirlhasnamechanged · 07/04/2026 21:21

DD1 was meant to be 38 weeks but she came early and started it at 36. DS1 was 37, he was born 37+4. DD2 (currently snoozing on me during her maternity leave) was 36+5, she was born 37+1

Good in the way that it’s maximised the time spent with the baby during maternity leave but also kind of sucky that I didn’t have much in the way of resting beforehand

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