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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?

32 replies

phee96 · 30/06/2008 11:47

I am 18 weeks and am starting to think about when I would like to start my maternity leave. Ideally I would like to go as close to my due date (29/11) as I can but I don't think this is very realistic. It takes me about an hour and a half each way to get too and from work and I have to get on a bus, train and tram. So far I am thinking of finishing the last week of October which would make me 36 weeks.

So, being nosy, when did you finish or when are you thinking of finishing work if you're currently pregnant?

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Chequers · 30/06/2008 11:49

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EffiePerine · 30/06/2008 11:51

I had holiday to take, so left at 37 weeks but mat leave started on my due date. You do accrue holiday when you are off, and we are advised to take it in the same leave year, so you would take your Oct-Dec leave before your mat leave started. But check with HR.

EffiePerine · 30/06/2008 11:51

oh and this time round, not sure but heopfully about 38 weeks depending.

FrannyandZooey · 30/06/2008 11:52

I think about 36 weeks is quite a sensible compromise but would you be able to make it earlier if you find you are not coping with the commute?

ShowOfHands · 30/06/2008 11:54

My commute was the same. Mat leave started at 38+4, waters broke when I was 38+6. Perhaps would have liked a few days longer.

Hersetta · 30/06/2008 12:00

Phee - it is possible. My journey is an hour and 40 mins each way (bus train and tube)and I worked until 6 days before my due date which was 23/8 last year so I was commuting and heavily pregnant in the summer which is pretty awful . Really glad though to have saved my ML for after the baby arrived.

Libra1975 · 30/06/2008 12:03

I had a 90 minute commute as well, 1 train and 2 tubes. Lasted until 36+3 and by then the commute was really taking it's toll (work itself was fine), could you ask to work from home?

JessJess3908 · 30/06/2008 12:04

Am planning on going at 36 weeks - but happily have only 20 min walk to work and can also work from home occaisionally.

How flexible is your employer? Could you plan to go at 36 weeks then change your mind and go earlier if things got too much?

chocbutton · 30/06/2008 12:14

I finished at 34 weeks and used 3 weeks AL as well. Had really bad SPD so couldn't wait to finish!
Your manager or HR team should be flexible in helping you though - like others have said could you work from home or start/finish earlier later to beat traffic?
You may feel fine but keep your options open - most reasonable employers would expect you may change your mind about what date you'd start your mat leave - I changed mine about 5 times!

MyDingaling · 30/06/2008 12:22

Today is the first day of my maternity leave, I am 36 weeks.

tinkspregnantwithnumber2 · 30/06/2008 12:23

with dd1 i finished work @ 32 wks. i was commuting getting train then another train too much hard work. my maternity leave flew by

cyteen · 30/06/2008 12:27

I finished last Friday Am 32 weeks today, but I had several weeks of annual leave to use up, so my maternity leave doesn't start till I'm 37 weeks.

It's definitely worth asking about flexible working/wfh if you can. Obviously each pregnancy is different but I was already completely knackered by the time I left and I only work half the week, with no stressful commute (just a longish walk/short bus ride).

Original poster

phee96 · 30/06/2008 12:27

I think they'll be pretty flexible at work. We're only a small team but they are already looking at taking someone on to get them trained. I've got 5.5 days leave left until December (but I've got quite a few days booked in over next few months) so I could always tag any that's left onto my ML.

I may tell them I want to work to 38 weeks and I'm sure if it was necessary, I could always finish earlier.

Thanks for all your replies

OP posts:

dizzydixies · 30/06/2008 12:28

I did the same as cyteen and took my annual leave so although I've been off for a while now (I'm 35ish wks) my matty doesn't start until Sunday

fruitstick · 30/06/2008 12:29

Save as much holiday as you can and use that up before you officially begin maternity leave.

Commute aside, and without wishing to scare you, the time you get before the baby is born is the last time (for a while at least) you'll get some peace and quiet to yourself. Take at least 4 weeks, read lots of books, have some long lunches with friends and fall asleep in front of Deal or no Deal!

springerspaniel · 30/06/2008 12:31

First day of leave today. Hoorah! Am 39 weeks tomorrow. I've coped fine but I definitely could not have coped with your commute - 36 weeks sounds sensible if you can afford the time.

I also saved all my holiday.

If work is flexible, I'd definitely see how you feel. Some people are still doing loads of exercise late in pregnancy (NOT me) so you might be fine.

Ambi · 30/06/2008 12:40

At 36 weeks, but I was due in Dec so it was good to be able to get my Xmas shopping done before it all kicked off. Though I used 2 weeks of holidays so my Mat Leave offically started at 38 weeks.
I thought that 4 weeks was just enough to get you wound down from work, get all the babies things ready and sleep all day! However DD was 2 weeks late so I really felt those extra 2 weeks as I was definitely ready at 40 weeks.

notcitrus · 30/06/2008 13:21

I was going to work up to 37 weeks, but at 25 weeks had to go off sick and was then banned from commuting. So from 28 weeks I've been working from home 3 days, taking 2 days/week as annual leave.

I'll see how it goes but will probably keep doing that through July and start mat leave a bit earlier in August, probably 35/36 weeks. Does mean I won't have any leave left to be paid before the mat leave pay kicks in, but no way am I up to full time work atm.

ELR · 30/06/2008 13:24

i started mine at 25 weeks it was best thing i ever did havent worked since!! well in an office anyway kids are much more work!!
i have been home for 6 years now and cant wait to get a job and go back just for some adult company!!

zoejeanne · 30/06/2008 13:25

Hi, I'm really interested to read this thread, as it's a dilemma I'm wrestling with too (I'm just 14 weeks at the mo). I do have quite a bit of holiday to take, so will use that - thanks for the advice.

My question is about commuting - I have about an hour each way, but I drive (most of you seem to use public transport). Any drivers out there? How did you find long journeys when heavily pregant?

Thanks

Z.x

chocbutton · 30/06/2008 13:59

make sure you can stop regularly to wee! I got really uncomfortable in the car as my bump just got too big, and my teeny squashed bladder could only cope with 20 minutes in a car!

zoejeanne · 30/06/2008 14:23

Crikey - I'm already having to wee before and after my journey - surely I won't need to wee more often than once an hour???!

Z.x

cyteen · 30/06/2008 14:24

You've got so much to look forward to, zj

hannah001 · 30/06/2008 14:37

as early as possible - i.e. 29 weeks + my remaining holiday = 26.5 weeks (which is on Wednesday! - HURRAY)

MrsMattie · 30/06/2008 14:42

I started mine at 34 weeks. I was knackered by then and couldn't physically take the commute into work anymore.

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