Maternity leave duration

[Stewalau]

Hello there, I hope you are all keeping well and are enjoying the slight bit of extra freedom.

I am 12 weeks pregnant with my first and I am curious about how long most mothers take off for maternity leave. I know we are allowed up to 52 weeks, but I am wondering what the average time is as its hard to gauge how long you will want/need if you've never done it before.

Sadly I'm only entitled to SMP which looks pretty basic to me, so I'll have to factor money into the equation too.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated .

[Mcra]

Hey, yeah, the money we're getting by law is too low.I'm pregnant with my first so also trying to figure this out, but right now I'm planning to take 52 weeks. You can shorten it if you give enough notice. So you don't have to decide before the baby is born. Also while you're on ML you acquire annual leave and bank holidays and you can finish your ML a bit early and use those holidays for the remaining time you want to be at home. This way you get full salary for those weeks.

Or you can use those holidays to work part-time with full-time salary and save money on childcare.

[Stewalau in reply to Mcra]

It is very low and impossible to live on. Thanks for the advice re holidays and Bank Holidays that will definitely help alot. I want to take the year too but if I don't the money to do stuff I can imagine it would rather go back. Good luck with everything.

[Hidden]

I’m taking 40w as smp is only paid up to 40w. This is my 3rd and I don’t have friends with babies as I’m older (41) everyone else will be at work most of the time so I’ll be on my own a lot so probably be looking forward to going back to work & I only work part time so be fine.

[Stewalau in reply to Hidden]

Ahh that makes sense and suppose 40 weeks is plenty too. 🙂

[roxannacar]

I've taken a year off with each of my babies (this is no.3) however I was entitled to OMP & SMP. (8w full pay, 18w half pay, 3month SMP, last 3 months no pay). My husband is still working full time tho. Ultimately it depends on your circumstances how long you can afford to be off for, and money is probably the most big factor in that. Worth trying to save up as you go along if possible.

[PoppyC38]

Personally I’d take off what you can afford. It goes super quickly and is time with them you’ll never get back. SMP is rubbish. I learnt to do things like take coffee with me. At least we’re all use to going for lots of free walks now!