What week did you start your maternity leave!?

[Millak]

Hi all,

Soon I will have to tell work when I would like to start my maternity leave. I feel like stopping at 36/37 weeks(if everything is ok). Will obviously talk to midwife at next app. My work can be quite stressful at times(I’m a teacher).

When did you start your mat leave!?

Thanks

[minnesota_girl]

I am aiming to start mine at 37 weeks 💕

[PenguinBlue]

hello, for my son, I started at almost 38 weeks and for my current pregnancy I will be 37 weeks. I am feeling quite tired already but prefer to have a bit more time off at the end of my maternity leave. But I have an office job where I can wfh etc - I can imagine it’s much harder and more stressful as a teacher so starting a little earlier makes sense! Xx

[Rollercoastersmiles]

I started at 37 weeks (actually started at 40 weeks but I had 3 weeks annual leave to take). I’m also in a physical job where I’m on my feet all day and can’t wfh and was glad to stop when I did. Gave me some time to rest and prepare for baby’s arrival, and get a massage or 2. I actually spent all 3 weeks off with a cold! Clearly my body needed a rest!

[Weareback2]

I really think it is a personal thing depending on how you are and job etc. I finished at 38 weeks and my section was booked for 38.4. My job is very demanding and on the go...however i was keeping well so thought i would work right up. Good luck x

[Bexarama83]

I’m starting at 38 all being well. I have a stressful job but not on my feet all day. Was trying to leave it to the last min for the pay but don’t think I’ll want to be working right up. xx

[paintthesky]

I’m a teacher too and I started mine at 38/39 weeks. Tbh, my Trust’s rubbish mat pay was a factor. I had planned to work up until the weekend before baby’s due date but I got fed up haha.

[Rhubarb5]

It’s completely up to you. Another teacher here and I’m going to stop at 36 weeks. Decided I want plenty of chill time before baby comes, not lots of cortisol running round by body from racing round school and shouting at kids 😂. It’s a personal choice.

[Millak in reply to Rhubarb5]

😂

[JoyfulStar]

I stopped at 38 weeks to maximise time at the other end. My job at the time was very full on and stressful but I worked from home so that helped.

[McQueeny]

with my first it was meant to be 38, but ended up stopping at 37 because there was talk of early induction - this time I am aiming for 37 again so I have a couple of weeks at home with my son before a sibling takes over his life 🤪🥰

[Jane8412]

With my first I planned to stop around 38 weeks as I thought being my first baby it would be late and I didn't want to sit around waiting too long. As it was, my waters broke at 36+2 so I ended up with no time off- haha.

This baby I am booked to finish at 37 weeks.

As a teacher I can imagine you will be very tired towards the end so 36/37 weeks to finish makes sense x