When to start mat leave

What would you do in my position? I’m due on the 18th May and initially thought I’d work till the 2nd but I’m now thinking of starting my mat leave on the first day back after Easter (28th April) so I’d effectively be starting on 11th April at the beginning of the holidays instead. I’ve not had an easy pregnancy so far and I’m currently signed off for the second time due to HG. Everyone at work says work as late as you can but the thought isn’t appealing! Would I actually miss that extra week when my baby’s here and it’s time to return to work or am I going to be sad regardless?

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My first was due 22nd May and I left at Easter as would’ve been 36 weeks after the holidays and I didn’t want to come back for the sake of 1/2 weeks, I loved all the extra time and as it’s a long holiday it felt worth it for the full pay

I'm due 31st May, and I'm also undecided. I was going to finish at Easter, but I'll be 35 weeks when we start back which feels a bit early. My midwife said to go as long as possible, but it's not that easy when you work in a school! Do you have to start maternity on a particular day of the week? You could take advantage of the bank holiday, and start mat leave from Tues 6th.

@Lisa someone else mentioned starting on the Tues after the bank hol but I’ll be 38 weeks by then so I’m just worried that’s too late! But yeah working in a school pregnant is not easy 😕

I was a TA but I worked until 37 weeks, I planned 38 but was struggling a lot with my pgp and had been on crutches for 5 weeks already by then! (Ended up with only 2 weeks as he came a week early)

I was due 20th March last year, was due to go on leave 17th March (but last working day 15th) but baby arrived on the 12th. I wish I'd gone off a couple weeks earlier but wanted as long after on some income as possible. With spl I only have 4 weeks at the end (with a week half term on full pay in the middle) with nothing, which means I'll have no months with 0 and taking a full year. You can start your maternity leave early if you choose closer to the time. Chances are, after the first week of Easter, you'll either be thinking 'I'll be just rested enough to manage another week' or 'I definitely don't want to go back'. It's likely your maternity cover will be starting straight after Easter rather than mid-term, so they'd be prepared anyway.

With my first I was 39 and a half weeks before I started maternity leave.. I definitely regretted it. For my second, I'm due on the 15th of June. However, my c-section is booked for the week prior.. so I'm planning to start maternity leave on the first Monday back after May half term. Just so I can have my full pay in May... I'll technically be 36 weeks when I leave.

I’m doing a week working from home after Feb half term to take me up to finishing at 36+5! Feels much more manageable

I worked until 39 weeks and it was very tiring. I was due on 16th May last year and worked until the bank holiday too. I would advise not going back after the Easter break and enjoy nesting and resting until baby arrives