Maternity leave

I’m due on 9th October and I used 16 days of my holiday so I can have my last day in work on 20th September and then start my maternity leave the day I’m supposed to be due 😊

I’m due on the 24th Oct and I’m finishing on 27 Sept. I’ve used my leftover annual leave to take the first two weeks of October off, then my Mat leave starts on the 14 Oct. Figured it gives me time if baby comes early and I already feel like there’s not enough time so if he or she comes later then it’s just extra time! Plus, as I accrue annual leave, I can use almost all of it to put off going back to work in 2025 until November

Snap, I'm due 20th October, I've got 3 weeks of annual leave I'm taking from 16th September and starting mat leave from 7th October

With my first I finished 23rd December due to Christmas break and she was born 25th Jan. For me it was too long. I'm planning 2 weeks before due date this time but having a c section so baby likely to be early.

I'm due 1st October and finishing work on 29th September lol 😆 I figured I'd rather have longer off afterwards ... I have a fairly active job but I'll be able to go on reduced duties towards the end and work from home 🙂 I'm using annual leave that's accrued to go back to work 3 days a week for a few months afterwards.

Last time I took 5 days annual leave and planned to start my mat leave 2 days before my due date, I ended up having her 5 days early so didn't really have that much down time beforehand but tbh I was happy enough with that as I was already prepared and don't have much family or friends nearby. This time around I'm due 19th October and will be taking 9 days annual leave with mat leave starting on 14th Oct so basically finishing up work on Mon 30th Sept as I want a little more down time this time especially with having a toddler running about.

I’m due 6th October and planning to take 2 weeks, finishing on the 23rd Sept x

I’m due 20th oct and going on Mat leave 27th sept x

I was due with my daughter 9th September (2022) and I went on maternity leave the week before my due date due to meeting etc I was attending. She then wasn’t born for another 2 weeks (22nd sept), so I had a lovely 2 weeks off before she arrived! 🤣 this time I’m due 3rd October and I’m hoping to leave 16th September so I can have some time at home to chill and hope baby makes their way! Within the 2 weeks and not 4 🫣🤣

I'm due October 25th, taking annual leave from September 1st then maternity leave from October 1st. I had my first at 39 weeks and likely have gestational diabetes again so will probably have my baby early again. Practically my husband is starting teaching September 2nd and we already have a toddler so it makes sense for me to be off. It doesn't affect when I'll go back to work as I plan to go back September following year (when 30 hours childcare kicks in for October babies).

I’m due 5th October and 6th September is my planned last day at work. I have used most of my annual leave already this year so will take what I’m entitled to before if able but I’ve also got to wait for them to get my cover in first x

Due on 18th October just arranged 30th September x in hospitality

I'm due 20th, and going on mat leave 14th 😅

I had a planned section on the 10th October and started my mat leave on the 10th October but used up 4 weeks of annual leave

Do you have any AL saved up? I'm a SAHM now but with my daughter I had 5 weeks 'holiday' then didn't start actual mat leave until my EDD, I wanted as much time off after she was born as possible. If I didn't have any leave saved up I'd probably look at finishing no later than 38 weeks. Most 1st babies go over their EDD but you could always be one of the early ones and it's good to have some time to yourself before they arrive x

I’m due 18th September and finishing up on Friday 30th August. I’m going in for a planned section so it will be the week of 11th September I’ll be going in so gives me 2 weeks off before hand x

@Rachel Very similar! Also same DD, but I decided to go to work on Mon as well, so my last day will be Sep 30th. Then Annual leave until the 16th Oct and Mat leave starts Oct 17th :)

I think it just depends on when you want to go off. I’m tired of working already and also have to get the tube 2 days a week so I’m going at 32 weeks which is super early but I don’t plan on returning back to work so it works for me.

I’m due on the 21st October and planning on finishing either the last week September or first week of October. Going to play it by ear. I work as a nanny e you don’t have to hand my job over to anyone. If I’m still feeling as good as I do now I will keep going for as long as possible.

I’m due 13th October and leaving 27th September for my mat leave x

I’m due on the 27th Oct and have just put mine in today to finish on the 11th Oct so I have a full 2 weeks! 😊 I didn’t have any annual leave left so just want to give myself time to relax and also get any last bits in place for baby girl! 💕

I’m due 8th of October and my mat leave starts on the 1st of August, I’m not planning on going back and haven’t had the best time working since becoming pregnant. It’s doing what’s best for you at the end of the day x

Im going straight away only bc my job is so shit and I will get more money been off than I will going to work

@Natalie same here 😂 due the 5th and finishing the 27th 😂 need as much time off after baby is here as I can!

I'm due 28 October, I'm starting my mat leave on 21 October (1 week earlier) but then also taking 2 weeks leave, so my last working day will be 4 October giving me 3 weeks before to finish sorting bits out / relaxing 😊

I’m due October 27th , I work for an agency my contract finishes 12 September, if I’m allowed to extend for a month so two weeks before baby is due

I'm planning taking 1 week off before baby is due because I'd prefer more time with baby and think work will be a good distraction (and I WFH so it's comfortable). I'm hoping to avoid any induction and understand for most first time mums baby goes over due, upto 42 weeks sometimes beyond so I might get 1 week, I might get 3! I might feel different nearer the time and chose to take more time off. Some people with kids have reminded me it's the last time you have for yourself before parenthood!

i’m due october 13th and going at beginning of september due to working in a nursery i don’t want to over work and through august using my annual leave so i only work 2 days instead of 4 x

For my first I done a week before and think I’m going to do the same again this time round as well xx

i’m just planning to take a few days before my due date. i work from home so it’s fairly easy for me, and j accrue annual leave whilst on maternity leave so my annual leave for this year, i’m saving to use next year (along with next years!) so i’ve got additional time off after before j have to return to work x

I think it depends on when you feel best to leave and sometimes what job you are in. for example, I work at a desk day in day out and therefore staying until my waters break to stay off as long as possible with my baby.. I will however be working from home in the last few weeks so I can organise accordingly and have everything with me that I need should they break rather than having to panic if I was in the office xxx

I’m due sep 26 but going on maternity leave sep 23 haha. My friend just gave birth at 37 weeks and it was her first pregnancy so I am a bit worried that I might go early too as it’s not like first pregnancy for sure will be late. Such a gamble indeed!

I’m due October 12th and I’ve literally basically gone 😂 I have 4 weeks AL to use so I’m done! I can’t deal any longer the stress the PGP my mental health issues I just needed out! I took only 6 months with my son and went back to a full time 9-5 job and hated that I missed time with him so as I’m part time now I decided to take 9 months with this baby but I work in a Drs surgery and get people with miscarriages and SB and it was triggering for me so I’ve just decided to take 3 months now and 6 when she’s born and figure it out after! It’s a hard decision to make but my point is, you come first! You and your baby! Work is as not important as your health is and your baby’s health is! Don’t be hard on yourself!! Xx

With my first I was due on the 29th Sept, my last day at work was the 24th and I gave birth on the 26th so defo give yourself time! I only had 1 day 😂 - take a couple of weeks as the first week you’ll probably be on a mad cleaning spree then the next week you can calm and get excited folding all the baby clothes! 😂 x

I think your job is the most important factor in this decision. Last time I worked up until Christmas and my baby was born 6 weeks later. I could not physically have gone on any longer. In fact I stayed too long purely because I was stubborn and I work in an industry where the whole year builds up to Christmas and I wanted to see everything I had worked on through to the end. If you do a very manual job you may find that the decision is taken out of your hands.

due the 15th, starting my maternity on the 1st oct. was just a nice easy date for everyone to remember and easy to calculate when i go back x

I’m also due on the 20th :) luckily my shift pattern is 4 on, 4 off, so if I book 4 days off, I get 12 days off in a row, and my annual leave rests in October. So I’ve used the rest of this years annual leave from 11th of September onwards and some of next years annual leave for the first 2 weeks of October, so my maternity leave won’t actually start until the 18th, 2 days before I’m due 🥰x

I’m due the 2nd and finishing work 18th August, using up all holidays I’ve got left til the 18th September and my mat leave is starting from then 🩷

I'm due 21st October, taking 1 weeks annual leave and 1 week maternity so finishing 2 weeks before. So finishing end of the first week in October, unless needed before 🙂

With my first I worked right up until I had my c section. However I’m booked for my second c section on the 21st of October I’m leaving on the 21st of September (using all holiday first) I want to spend some time with my daughter and just winding down and getting last bits and pieces before baby arrives. X

I'm due 27th September officially but I'm leaning towards them arriving 3-4 October so im in both 24 groups. I have 16 days of annual leave left in current holiday pot so finishing 30 August, and maternity will start 24 September, 3 days before due date. I didn't want to work at my hugest and wobbliest but need to use up my holiday before baby comes. So maternity will run until 24 September 2025 as we have been able to afford me doing a year on just SMP, and I'll have 26 annual leave days left to either do a phased return to full hours or return on reduced hours - haven't decided and won't decide until 3 months before I return. I intend to have off until baby's first birthday and have already started the registration with a local nursery.

i’m due October 14th . staring 3 weeks annual leave on the 15 July . Matt leave starts on 8ths August . im starting matt leave around 30 weeks just due to stress and lack of sleep . i get 6 months full pay , 3 months reduced pay and 3 months no pay . so i will return to work when she is 3 or 6 months old depending on how the saving is going i might manage longer . i can also use my 2025 holiday allowance to stay off longer as well :). everyone’s answer will be different , do what works best for you xx.

I’m going off at 32 weeks! i work nights and im exhausted! the plan is to be off with my 3 year old for 2 months before baby arrives…plus i am not working anymore than i need to, I hate my career🤣

I'm due to 20th too. I'm staying maternity leave on the 14th. Gives me a week to make sure everything is sorted and do the last minutes clean ( if I can!) However I think it's good to have flexibility, at 25 weeks I'm feeling crappy symptoms like the swelling and fatigue so I have spoken to work and have agreed I can pull it forward if need be.

I’m due October 4th and taking mine September 4th