Maternity Leave - when did you start it?

[monster_munch]

Wasn't working with DS but with DD my due date was a Tuesday and I finished work the previous Friday as that was the latest my company would allow me to work.
Like you I wanted the longest amount of time with my baby rather than before hand -but due to Dh's promotion ended up not going back so wish I had started earlier
Never mind - if they invent a time machine I'll know better hey?!

 

[sarah2807]

I have just started mine...so at 35 weeks.
tbh...I was starting to get tired- I worked as a primary school teacher so my job invloved lots of bending and being on my feet all day so I'm glad I'm off work now!!!
I think I could've done another week or 2 but I arranged it near the beginning of my pregnancy so just went with my original date so I didn't mess people around. I've had quite an easy pregnancy, so it prob depends on how you feel and also what job you do, if you have holidays to take etc.
Obviously working longer gives you longer with Lo at the other end of maternity leave which sounds like a good option, but it isn't always that easy when your heavily pregnant and tired out!!

 

[NIE]

I started at 26 weeks. Best decision I made. I was able to relax and prepare for everything but I am lucky that I am able to take a full years leave altogether as I couldn't leave Adam just now. xxx

 

[Sandi4Paul]

keep in mind your companies holiday policy. I get 5 weeks and as my mat leave runs over two years (july to july) i get this years holiday and next. But our policy is to only take 5 days over to next year and they have to be used by the end of march. That wont be an option so i have to make sure i take them all before my mat leave starts. if i am to early my mat leave starts automatically on the birth date and i would loose holiday.

So i am starting holiday leave at 33 weeks and mat leave at 38.

sandi

 

[Strangeness]

I'm starting my maternity leave at 36 weeks but I've got 5 weeks holiday to take so will be leaving at 31 weeks.

 

[Nicola]

I started mine 3 years before we even had our LO....

 

[BeckyJ]

just started mine so 37wks ish, i have 2 weeks holiday now before it acyually starts tho

 

[Babylicious]

Mine started at 36 weeks good job as he came at 37 weeks

 

[Jade&Evie]

I was 29 weeks, i.e. as early as possible but I'd started fainting in the classroom

I will be taking the full 12 months - and then possibly not going back at all? Not sure yet! I'll see how much Connie winds me up

LOVE THE THEORY!

I started at 32 weeks- I had a two hour commute either way and it wasn't practical. I had 6 weeks of 'me time' before Evie arrived which I think was just right. It gave me a chance to nest a bit, relax my body and see my friends before the ties of motherhood inhibited me from leaving the house without the kitchen sink on my shoulder

 

[x Naomi x]

Baby due 15 september, starting materntity leave on the 1st of september but because i will be off the full year, i have to take most of my holiday leave before i go so will be finishing work on the 26th July at 32 weeks

 

[clarey]

I started at 37 weeks but I was really struggling by that point as my job was quite physical and on my feet all day. I imagine if you have a desk job you could go longer if you had to but as others have said make the most of your last time to yourself - motherhood is fab but youre lucky to find enough time for yourself to have a wee nevermind anything more exciting!

congrats on your pregnancy btw

 

[Bee]

I started mine at 37 weeks to coincide with the easter weekend. Wanted as long off as possible when baby arrived. I wanted to go to the Spring holiday (2 weeks later) but my boss persuaded me out of it .

And I started mine at the srping holidays

I was 36 weeks that weekend when I finished - Finlay arrived early, the week later.