Mums when did you go on maternity leave?

MadDogWoman_2

Hi I finished at 37 weeks, and DD arrived at 40+2 so was home for 3 weeks. I should have finished at 36 weeks though as I found the walk from the car park to my office a bit much (I worked at an airport at the time so it was about 1/4 mile between the two)

I wasn't bored I visited the breastfeeding group I hoped to attend after birth, which was lovely and got some fantastic advice. I attended a couple of sessions of aquanatal, I just spent my time pottering about and resting and wasn't bored, I took full advantage that it would the last time I would be able to spend in bed all morning.

chickaroonee

tiamai_d wrote: »

29 weeks with DS2, but I had been on sick from about 8 weeks. He arrived at 33 weeks though.

It depends on how tired you are, what your job is and what condition you have (is it something that may get worse or may mean baby will have to arrive on time/early?)

Have been told I'm at higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia and/or baby growing slowly, but all is fine so far. Now I'm in the third trimester though they need to keep an even closer eye on it, but there's every chance I'll be fine.

brians_daughter

Ita personal choice,a nd health permitting. If you cant cope on just OH's wage why not speak to work about a phase out period? ie 4 days a week for a few weeks, then 3 days for a few weeks then finishing close to your due date?

I did this and used holidays to do it. So for 4 weeks i worked 4 days then for 4 weeks i worked 3 days, then i finished.

Re when did i finish.. i finished on 22december (because thats when we closed for Xmas) and my due date was 24th December lol. TBH if i hadnt used holidays to do shorter weeks i would not have lasted past 33 weeks

newlysingle_2

I started mat leave at 32 weeks with DD, as I worked evenings I was constantly tired and was unable to sleep during the day. DD was induced at 38 weeks due to me developing obstetric cholestasis. I fell pregnant 6 weeks later with DS1 :eek: so didn't return to work. But with DS2 I was advised by my midwife to start mat leave before 38 weeks as both babies had been born by 38 weeks,-(one induced, one spontaneous) so DS2 would probably be born about then as well.

So with DS2 I decided to finish at 36 weeks, on the day I finished I started itching, 4 days later I was induced and DS2 arrived at 37 weeks, so I had no time for boredom, but I had a frantic few days buying the essentials like a car seat and moses basket which I had planned to shop for whilst off work.

I think when thinking about the start date for mat leave it comes down to the individual, I thought I was tired whilst pregnant with DD, when she was born I realised what tired really was lol :rotfl:. My advise would be listen to your body to decide when to finish work..........you wont have the time to rest after. Good luck xx

Baileys_Babe

1st time round I started maternity leave 39 weeks 2 days and gave birth 39 weeks 5 days, but I had been on annual leave for 3 weeks. I choose to stay working for longer as I had severe SPD had I would have been virtually housebound without even being able to carry a cuppa to a comfortable chair, where as work was very supportive and bought me frequent cuppas as well as being able to actually achieve something

2nd time around couldn't wait to finish work, felt healthier both physically and mentally, I took 1 weeks annual leave followed by starting my maternity leave at 34 weeks, I gave birth at 40 weeks 4 days.

mistrihelen

I've already posted once, but also wanted to mention some factors to consider when you're sorting out ML (though you probably already have!), such as health, work stress, commute time and boredom threshold.

For example, if you do have some concerns about your pregnancy, work on top of that might not help (or alternatively, could take your mind off it). I had low papp-a result (blood test) that could lead to slow growth. Plus my placenta is currently low. Eeep!

We've just moved house and soon my husband will be driving us into work. Great, except he often has to go on trips, and I'll have to commute sometimes - I don't want to be doing that right at the end as my house is a long walk from the station.

Boredom - some people go out of their minds at home. I might miss people to talk to, but I don't think I'll be bored. I do some writing for fun plus there are always forums and games

Janepig

With my first I used my annual leave to work reduced hours in the run up to my maternity leave, which I seem to recall started about a week before her due date (and she was six days late).

With DS I was due on the 28th of January and I'd planned to finish work on the 12th of January. However, we finished work for Christmas on the Friday and my waters broke on the Sunday (Christmas morning) with DS born by c-section half an hour into boxing day (boy was I glad of that half an hour!! I hadn't even packed a bag or had a moses basket or anything! When I left the office on the day we finished for Christmas I jokingly told everyone I'd text them if I had the baby - but when I text them at 4.30am on Christmas morning to tell them that I was on the way into hospital in labour, none of them believed me!!

Jxx

code-a-holic

I left work at 38 weeks, but i had a office job so wasnt physically demanding.

Sarah_Joanne

I finished at 32 weeks!! But that was 2 weeks holiday over Christmas then starting mat leave at the beginning of January. Alfie came 8 days early in the end and I was very glad to have finished work when I did. I got plenty of sleep and enjoyed having some time with DH.

I had a desk job so work wasn't that demanding but I was so glad notto be getting up at 6 or 7am any more!

I would say if you are tired now you;ll be even more so towards the end. The first few weeks with a baby are so tiring anyway you are better off starting from a well rested postion!!

Good luck x

Poodlecrazy

I planned to finish on due date but she arrived a day early so didn't quite make it! This was deliberate though as I had a very healthy pg and wanted as much time after as possible.

If you're healthy and happy I say stay as long as you want :-)
x