When did you start Maternity Leave?

[phee96]

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?

2 or three weeks before hand seems the norm in my office. I'm going at 36+3 to take advantage of August Bank Hol - so I won't have actually taken any leave until the start of week 37. I have a realtivelty simple 30 min drive to work with free parking, easy going office, and my boss has offered to let me work from home ccassionally but I'm reckoning that in August/Sept i'll be getting very hot and bothered and could do with a rest.

Cyteen - it's true that ignorance is bliss, some things I just didn't want to know!!

Z

I left about 2weeks ago, and im 33wks today, but I am a nanny and was looking after 10,2 and 4year old, and the energy was just taking it out on me, felt knackered all the time, so I did leave a bit earlier, but obviously if i am goin to have my own, rather have a few weeks rest before she is born

I have about a one hour commute each way and only work part time (but long hours on the days I do work)...

My ML will start officially at 38 weeks but I have a lot of overtime to take back from the last couple of months so will be finishing at just over 34 weeks...I have to say that I'm ready to go, especially with the weather being good!

Whatever you tell your employer now, you have the right to change your mind and go earlier - as long as you give 28 days notice of your intention to go (but check the maternity policy where you work)...

38 weeks with DD1, born 40+6
38 weeks with DD2, born 40+6
36 weeks with this one (currently 34 weeks so waiting to see when he/she will arrive).
Only stopping as I'm on a temp contract, would've worked til 38 again otherwise

I finished at beginning of June, I think I was 5 months at that point (cant do this weeks stuff!) Got made redundant so made the decision very easy for me . FWIW I am really bored now, I think I could have probably worked for at least a few weeks longer, probably finishing end of July, but the last few months have been OK, much better than my first trimester. If it had been my choice then, I would have gone into complete hibernation and been woken up once baby was delivered. Now I have more energy and feel better, although insomnia is causing a few issues with junior waking me up at 4am.

Enjoy it regardless of when you decide to finish.

I worked until 37 weeks with both, was fine with an hours commute on the tube.
Would have worked for longer, but DS arrived at 37 weeks exactly and DD at 36 weeks, so I didn't get any maternity leave pre-birth with either of them!

I feel absolutely fine in late pregnancy, but lots of people feel tired and dreadful. Maybe go for about 36 weeks?