Working until due date

[BiscayTrafalgarFitzroy]

My baby is due 23rd October which is also half term. This is my first baby and, health permitting, I'm keen to work as close as I can so I can have as much paid time afterwards as possible.

Would it be ok to request maternity to start Monday 29th Oct which is actually a week after my estimated due date? That way I can try and get half term paid as normal and then start maternity afterwards. Am I right in thinking that if the baby came during half term or early, maternity would just kick in anyway?

Thanks

I think legally, the latest your maternity start date can be is your due date. Then if anything happens before that, it will kick in on the date you finish or the date the baby's born.

Latest start date is date you give birth.
You'll probably find you need at least a couple of weeks to rest and nest.
Don't underestimate how much energy you'll need for birth and new baby.
I'd go for two weeks before due date.

I was under the impression that the latest date you could give was you actual due date as this is what I did. Teacher as well so my first was due in the Easter Holidays several years ago and the maternity just kicked in on the day she was born, which happened to be 3 days after my last day at work!

You can always change the date and bring it forward if you are struggling! For me, I found it fine and the kids (secondary) were absolutely ace and wouldn’t even let me carry anything! If they saw me walking up/down stairs they’d surround me and escort me I milked it for all it was worth but had a very easy pregnancy and wanted as much time off after as possible.

your maternity leave cant start any later than your actual due date! i worked a week b4 then booked a weeks holiday so my leave started on due date!