How late did you work before mat leave?

[toadstool32]

I just can't decide when to stop working and wondered if anyone could advise. This is my third pregnancy. Previously I've taught UKS2 so worked until around 38w but now I'm in Reception and well, Reception level of exhausted is very different!! I'm only 24weeks but need to make a decision. I could go right to half term when I'll be 38w (csection is 38-39w) or go at 35/36w. Any other early years teachers able to share what you decided?

I was in EY's for both my pregnancy

PG 1 i worked to 38 weeks
PG2 - I worked to 36 (as I had a toddler to look after)

I think the more you have to do at home.... the less you can do at work if it helps

I worked to 38 weeks, then my waters broke while I was teaching, the day before my planned last day. The 2 weeks of life admin/sitting on the yoga ball that I had planned did not come to pass...

First one, I worked until 33 weeks because that worked quite well with half term and handing over to the new teacher.
We are currently ttc and abroad. Due to a difference in employee protection, I would be signed off school as soon as I let them know that I'm pregnant. I'm classed as "high risk" here, due to being over 35. We don't have pregnant teachers working in schools here...especially not at primary level.

1st 29 weeks... difficult pregnancy

2nd 33 weeks

This was 20 odd years ago now. I probably could have gone to 35 weeks with number 2 but no way beyond that. I don't know how women do it in teaching beyond 37 weeks.

I'm secondary btw

1st - 34 weeks (working fulltime in Year 3) and signed off for 2 weeks with stress beforehand. Daughter didn't come until 42 weeks and I felt like I had to go back to work much earlier than I would have liked.

2nd - 39+4 weeks (working part-time in Reception). Reduced hours to 0.6 after my first child and felt able to work as close as I did to due date. Took a full year off afterwards.

3rd - currently pregnant and still working 0.6 in a Reception/Year 1 class. I'm aiming to work until due date as I did with my second.

I'm 0.8 in reception. I've decided to work to 35 weeks as my section is booked for 38 weeks.

I worked to 40 weeks but I’m overseas and our maternity leave is crap so I had to save it as much as possible for after the baby as born.

It was tough - I stopped on the Tuesday and gave birth on the Sunday.