Maternity Leave - When to finish

[lauraloo09]

Hiya mumsnetters just looking for some advice

I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and been sufereing pelvic pain for the past week, been signed off sick but due to go back tomorrow after my physio appointment, even tho I can easily get another week sick line (but I feel guilty at doing that). I am due to take annual leave on 6th may and start maternity leave on 6th June, however I have been thinking of starting my annual leave after easter and starting maternity leave 3 1/2 weeks early, downside to this is I would start back on 14th Feb 2010 instead of 8th Mar 2010. My work, itself, isn't stressful but the people I work with have kinda made my life hell since I started in January, talking about me and saying the pain I am experiencing is in my head! Due to this I am leaning more to leaving early.

I am wondering if I should start early or whether I should hold off and wait until may what would you guys do?

sorry for the long post x

i think you should start early. u need to rest as much as you can and relax before the baby comes especially with the pain you're experiencing. you just need to ask yourself if you will be happy returning to work early once your baby is here ?

momov2 Thanks for your response
I hate the thought of returning to work early tbh and thats why i'm having doubts about finishing early. However I am going back on a job share basis (1 week mon & tues all day and 2nd week mon tues & wed) so going back job share shouldn't be too bad, and worked out I can take some annual leave (5 days) and due to my job share rota I wouldn't go back to 1st March DH thinks I should start early but I'm not too sure lots to think about

Most employers have a clause in their maternity policy which says if you are off sick for pregnancy related illness during the last four weeks before your due date then your mat leave starts automatically.

I would keep the maternity leave as May (or as late as possible). If you are unfit for work before then you should be signed off sick. Bugger what anyone you work with thinks - why should they make you feel bullied into spending less time with your darling baby? Maternity leave goes by in a flash and shouldn't be used before baby even arrives because you feel guilty for being unwell.

Whilst I understand wanting to work as long as possible for financial reasons (and I don't underestimate these), there are lots of good ones for getting the hell out and having some time to yourself, time to de-stress, to relax, focus and prepare, to go to antenatal swimming with other enormous ladies and go to the cinema in the daytime.

When it comes to it you are entitled to a year's mat leave, if not mat pay, and you may just be able to squeeze a two or three more weeks off, even if you have to live on lentils to do it.

Your Maternity leave MUST start at 36 weeks if you are off sick. It makes no difference how much you are sick before that. I wouldn't say your leave is starting any earlier than 36 weeks, but be prepared to be off sick before that... otherwise you're wasting Mat leave before the baby!

I know that's cynical, but if they are being arsey with you then they can stick it.

With DD I went off sick at 24 weeks and didn't go back. Mat leave triggered at 36 weeks. The 12 intervening weeks were not fun.

This time I've said I'm starting Mat leave at 36 weeks, I'm 19 weeks now and already had 5 weeks off before I came back! I HOPE that I don't go off sick before then, but with SPD I can't make any promises.

However, I can work from home, is that an option for you?

(apologies for the rambling post, I must be hungry!)