Maternity leave

[Flannz94]

When are you ladies planning to start maternity leave?

With my first I finished at 34 weeks due to low iron (could barely function) - I had to travel 30 minutes to another town to work, I was also doing shift work, an dr advised to stop early.
I want to finish early this time too so I can spend time with my DS before his sister comes maybe 34 weeks again.

I'm in a fortunate position where I can stop whenever I want, but just out of curiosity when does everyone else think they'll start leave?

Xx

 

[Kay0102]

I always work to due date so I get the most time off with baby on the outside but it just depends on your situation. Everyone is different. I didn't want my first to have full on one on one time for weeks and then a new baby comes along. I thought it would emphasise the reduction in one on one time x

 

[Gem1302]

Last time my leave started at 37 weeks, but I took 3 weeks annual leave before that so left at 34. I had struggled the last few weeks with SPD and just being uncomfortable working being so big mid summer. This time, I have SPD again so my leave it starting at 33 weeks, 2 weeks annual leave prior so I finish at 31 and I can't wait! Because it's hurting me doing physical work now!

Edit to add-my annual leave runs April-April, I'm taking the full year off March-March, they'll make me use my annual leave before I return, which will be 5 weeks, so in total I'll have about 13.5 months off. 3 months of which obviously unpaid.

 

[biscuits104]

I'm hoping my last day will be 5/31. My baby is due 6/2, but who knows when she will come as she is my first. The first of the month in my job is very stressful, so I'd like to leave before all that.

 

[EmmySocks]

I want to stay until i'm due or go into labour. My job isn't far from home or hospital. I can understand you wamting to spend time with your son before the birth but for me: i'll have no one at home and get bored and lonely very easily! I'd rather keep busy before hand and have more time afterwards with baby. I'm aware this might backfire if i get to 35 weeks and have completely had enough... my work would be understanding though and hopefully fairly flexible xxx

 

[SaraVO]

I have no plans to stop working until it's time for him to be here. but, we shall see how I feel, how our savings looks, I'm going to be taking time after he is here but my doctor says that staying as active as possible will help with the labor, I am really focused on avoiding a C-section and my chances don't look great, but loosing strength and muscle tone won't help so I am going to muscle through maybe slow down a little but that is all.

 

[callmedan]

I'm planning to finish work 13th May at 37+4 baby due 30th May, hope I'll be ok till then! Going to take about 11 months off

 

[Rhiannon137]

I had planned to work up to delivery with my first, changed my mind and decided it would be nice to have the final week before my due date to "relax and get organized", and proceeded to go into labor on my last day at work!

 

[Natasha2605]

I'm finishing at 32 weeks, then 7 weeks holiday and my maternity leave will start at 39 weeks

 

[Flannz94]

Thanks girls! It's good to see what everyone else is up too!
I don't know how you ladies work right up to your due dates! Good on you guys!!

I am a bit worried about spending a few weeks with DS before his sister arrives but he's only 1, and he goes to day care 2 days a week and will continue to like normal, so I really want to cherish that time before 3 becomes 4 plus we will have just moved into our new house so I'll probably be cleaning like a mad woman

Natasha - you're lucky! 32 weeks! You'll enjoy a nice long break I'm sure

Xx

 

[Natasha2605]

I don't know how people can work right up to their due date either. I couldn't do it.

I will have ages off. I need it though. I'm struggling to sustain things the way I like at present, nursery runs, school runs, after school clubs, playdates, appointments, housework, cooking and working 28 hours a week is ruining me. Constant fatigue and headaches!

 

[Flannz94]

Me either! I really want some time to settle in before Bub comes.

Oh I can imagine!! Plus you never know if they'll come early or not! How long is your maternity leave for?

 

[Natasha2605]

39 weeks paid

 

[Flannz94]

Omg! You're so lucky! What is your job?!

 

[Natasha2605]

I'm a care assistant in a ladies retirement home, mainly with dementia.

It's not full pay though, just SMP. We will make do though.

How long do you get?

 

[Flannz94]

Aw yes, I am a nurse also

Atleastit's something every little bit helps! You won't want to go back haha

I don't actually get any from my work because I got a new job and haven't been there long enough to qualify for it which sucks! But lucky in Australia we get 18 weeks paid leave from the government. But I'll take 32 weeks off at this point

 

[Natasha2605]

Oh I will want to go back Work is my 'me time'.

Ah I see, that's not too bad then, at least you get something

 

[wannabemomy37]

Wow. I'm likely to get 6 weeks off...8 if I have a c-section...and I'm not even sure if it's paid.
America sucks!

 

[dimmu]

With DD i worked until 39+ weeks but took three weeks of annual leave at the end. This time I think I might officially finish working at around 37 weeks and hopefully take 3-4 weeks annual leave prior to that. My commute takes over an hour each way and includes train+bus+walking and I think I will be huge and uncomfortable towards the end so want to finish earlier. When I was pregnant with DD my commute was only 15 min by bus or a 45 min walk.

I plan to take as much time off as possible, I also get 39 weeks SMP so trying to save as much as I can to cover my share of the mortgage when I'm off work. With DD I went back part-time when she turned one. I work full-time at the moment.

 

[hellojello25]

Well, the plan is to work up until I go into labor, because I only get two months before I have to go back to work (2 weeks paid leave, 6 weeks short term disability). I can stretch it to 3 months with my personal and sick time I've accumulated at work, but I'd rather save that for vacation and the holidays, or if he gets sick at daycare. We'll see how that plan goes though lol.