Maternity leave

If your holiday renews in April take it before otherwise you may lose it

I planned to work up to my due date (sept 11th) but little one came 26th Aug. Unfortunately I had to give work up earlier than that as I was so swollen and it was too hot the year she was born! I just started my Mat leave then (made sure all my holiday was used by the time I left) you then have a year and a years holiday that can either be paid or used before you go back. I handed my notice in once Mat leave was up so had my holiday paid back x

I think you have to start mat leave from day baby is born anyway so I started it on babies due date, and use 8 days holiday before the date to start earlier. Then I changed my return date to earlier to use up all the holiday I gained that year which also helped financially

With my first I took half of my leave at the beginning and half at the end but she was born in May so it fell perfectly within the financial year. This time around I’ll probably have to take all my AL before because I’ll probably return in May/June so will have all new AL x

Tbh it's completely up to you. My first one I used a week's holiday then started mat leave on my due date. When I went back to work I had over 50 days holiday so it was great as I could do part time without having gone to part time pay. But this time Im thinking to take 3 or 4 weeks holiday before starting mat leave. Or at least use my holiday to do minimal hours in the weeks up to due date. My work allowance 10 days to carry over and then you should still accrue holiday while on mat leave and you should be able to take your bank holidays too so if you do take them before there will be plenty when you return

I worked right up until the week I was due. I'd rather have spent it with baby than waiting for baby pottering about getting bored. I took my A\L after my Mat leave finished x

Worth noting you do not have to tell work you maternity plans this early! I personally wouldn't confirm anything in writing until you have a mat B 1 form at 20 weeks as that's when they need to know. You can give them a rough idea verbally but they are being cheeky asking you!