7 months (6 mat, plus accrued leave) with DD1; 12 weeks with DD2, then part time for 3 months, and fulltime at 6 months.
I had 6 months fully paid mat leave with DD1 so it felt like a no-brainer for me. However, I was put at risk of redundancy and it turned into an incredibly stressful mat leave. Had I gone back sooner, it would not have happened imo.
With DD2, I only qualified for MA as I was pregnant when I started so I went back part time at 12 weeks. Had a fulltime nanny at home though for DD1 so the transition to add DD2 to the mix was very easy in many respects.
Personally, I was keen to go back as I enjoy my job and I am well paid for what I do. I love my children but I am not naturally a "fun" mum lining up fun craft activities and baking etc. We have a full-time nanny and a cleaner and on the weekends I try to make it just about spending time with the kids. Weekday evenings seem to be a constant round of household admin though.
Just because you are allowed to take a year+ off, does not make it the right decision for you or your child. It's a bit like university, it's not for everyone and there are different roads to take before you achieve the right balance.
My mum was a SAHM and I'd love my children to come home to an open house after school with their friends. There are a lot of things about my childhood that they won't have though - starting with walking home from primary school so I try to keep the rose tinted specs about being a SAHM locked away. I do the odd week here and there of full-time childcare and going back to work is a rest 