Maternity leave

[shootingstar22]

When do you all plan to take yours? I can't decide! Initially i was going for 4 weeks before due date... One of those weeks will be my holiday days. But with the back aches I've been getting I dint know if I want to be in the office so long. Have been tempted to leave at Christmas tbh.

Really I will really only be able to take 39 weeks leave as the final 13 weeks are not paid at my company.

 

[Rhino Horn]

I finished at 37 weeks, but worked from home for the last 2 weeks as I was told by docs to finish up at 35. Fortunately work couldn't be bothered to amend the paperwork for me to start mat leave sooner so let me work from home.

TBH, it's so hard trying to decide when to finish, but I am so glad I finished at 37 weeks cos this week has been a nightmare for sleeping.

 

[Mrs.s]

I am finishing at 34 weeks but I have four weeks maternity leave so I am not going back after new year I'm really lucky that my holiday starts in January and because I am taking the full year I can have those weeks off first! Plus I already struggle with getting on the tube and the hour and half journey to work and back!

 

[flexilexi394]

i agree its so difficult to judge. I am leaving at 34 weeks, but 3 of those are holiday owed to me, so i am going on the 6th december, due 24th jan. basically i have time to get xmas out the way, and i have some decorating and house organising to do, which i will defo have finished by due date, so ive got plenty of time to do that and im literally going to take my time with it. im so looking forward to it to be honest! x

 

[sexyamy2005]

my last day was yesterday!! ive got 2weeks holidays booked and then maternity leave starts on 15th nov, so week before me due date, im hoping to be financially able to take a full year off.... but if not, then i still get full pay to cover me until xmas n ok pay (i get 3/10's of a weeks pay for 20weeks) so until may il b ok, so thats a nice 6 months off with the little one

good luck deciding, it was realllly hard for me to decide, and i cryed yesterday wen i got my pressies, i mean im going back, but still felt weird, lol

x

 

[Cantstop]

I really wanted a year off but money will stop after 39 weeks and I can't see how we'll be able to afford another 3 months of no money. Due to getting married in Mexico the same holiday year, I only have 5 days left so can only take one week hol before maternity kicks in so I'm hoping to wait till as late as possible before going off, ideally 36-37 weeks. Not sure how I'll feel at the time though so will have to see how I fare.

 

[emma_85]

I work in a school, so with my due date being the end of January, it made sense to finish at Christmas (break up on 18th Dec. Saying this though, in my letter to my boss I said that I would begin maternity leave on 1st January (4 weeks before due date) so I will still get paid in the Christmas holidays.

So i'll be 34 weeks when I break up for Christmas, but my maternity leave will actually begin when I'm 36 weeks + 3 days.

My midwife advised me to take 4 weeks beforehand, which for me landed at a very convenient time as it's Christmas and I'm off 2 weeks anyway! YAY!

Hope this makes sense!!! x

 

[jennilisanne]

Technically, I plan to start mat leave 2 weeks before my due date. But being winter, once the ice starts, I'll need to stop, as I either walk in - a no in ice! or to get the bus or train is down a hill - another no in ice!

Decided yesterday to tag onto the end what I need to talk off at the beginning with holiday.

 

[SmallPurpleCat]

I'm finishing at 36 weeks - 3 weeks to go - and I can't wait. Planning to take the whole year off - the 3 months without pay will be tough but worth it.

The next 3 weeks are going to be hard though - we're moving on Friday so going to be a busy weekend and my feet are starting to really suffer from carrying around this extra weight!

 

[wirenth]

Technically mine starts a week tomorrow but i've been signed off since 27 weeks.

I go back to work in march hopefully, I only work 1 hour 30 min a day 5 days a week so hopefully little man will be settled into a routine of sleeping for that hour or so by then xx

 

[Lexusno1]

Well I will be leaving as early as possible (11 weeks before my due date) Reasons being I HATE my job and its becoming increasing diificult there at the moment. My 4 year old is showing signs of jealously since we told him about the baby and totally playing up so I would love to spend one on one time with him before the baby comes. Plus, I dont think i'll be going back after the year is up so when I leave doesnt really make a difference! Due on 30th April and starting Mat Leave 6th Feb!!!!! CAN NOT WAITTTTT!!

 

[mdsremos]

My plans have changed a little as I am supposed to have the next two weeks in work then a weeks holiday and mat leave commencing 21st november, however due to major SPD I am on crutches most of the time, especially in work (in a busy A&E Dept as a Clerical Coordinator) so am taking the next two weeks as sick leave, 36th week as holiday then 37th week maternity starts.
Little one is being delivered by section on 38th week so not long to wait!!!!!!!

 

[Laura_C]

My last day at work will be 20th Dec, I'm hoping they may just let me finish on 17th Dec a it's seems daft to come in for one day that week - I doubt it though! Technically my Mat Leave doesn't start until 4th January due to holidays and Christmas - I'm due on 27th January. Can't flippin wait!!

 

[JJ Mum]

I have my mat leave start at 34 weeks on 1st Dec. I saved all my holiday up and so I leave on Friday 5th november, this friday coming!!! at just 30 weeks fat. I could have taken my holiday in dec, and started my mat leave a few days before having baby in jan, but nahh, I have soo much DIY and work to do on the house, I need to turn a utility into a baby room! work wise on paper it says I return next 1st dec 2011, but I'm not going back there , I hate it, spent far too many years of my life there between kids etc ! so will be leaving work laptop firmly at work!

I don't care about money, we never had any any anyway, just will have to cut back again, and see how we go..

 

[Pudds86]

Today is my first day! I am glad I stuck it out to 37 weeks as I will hopefully have more time with baby. I am only taking 6 months at the moment unless we find I can take 9.. x

 

[Rheych]

I am working right up to 21st Jan, due on 1st Feb. I work in a sales role but have already agreed that from end of November I won't be doing the client visits I am getting more involved in strategic stuff for the New Year with my new manager. I can't thikn of anything worse than finishing at Christmas then going over by 2weeks meaning I'll have been off for 8 weeks with no baba

Hopefully baba will come ealry though and I won't have to come back after CHristmas for long