Maternity leave - when are you taking it?

Finishing at 37 weeks exactly. 2 weeks holiday and then start maternity at 39+4 weeks. Taking a year off maternity and then taking holiday for the rest of August to fully return 1st of sept. Last day of work 24th July 25 and return 1st sept 26. Just over 13 months in total.

I’ve been off sick the whole pregnancy so I have to take 11 weeks before my due date 😭😭💖xxxx

I’m due on the 26th August, am taking Mat Leave 21st July. The week before that AL. I’m then taking a full month AL at the other end so I’m effectively having 13 months off xx

@Jessica-Rose I’m worried about going off too early and not having enough time at the other side to make up the year. Are you using most of your annual leave to stretch your year or will you be taking the last 3 months unpaid? I am rubbish at maths and just can’t maths it at all 🤣🤣xx

@Jasmine oh no I’m so sorry it’s been a journey for you. Hope you are getting the rest and recuperation you need 🫶xx

I will be taking the last 3 months unpaid. I am worried about this but this is my last child and I know that I want to spend as much time as possible. I can do agency work in my field of work so I may do some self employed work during the last 3 months to give my income a boost. But yes, using all of my AL for this year and next to stretch it as much as possible x

Third baby, I’m part time self employed so usually start mat leave around week 38/39 and then start dipping back into work at around 6/7 months :)

Second baby - I am due 22nd August so I am going to start my maternity leave then, with 3 weeks annual leave before - I work in FE. So that hopefully I can just take the year out x

Im thinking of taking a month holiday before maternity xx

I'm due 7th Aug, finishing work on 17th July. My first arrived at 42 weeks and I had waaay too much time waiting around! May go back after around a year, but may also split shared parental leave with my husband as he gets full pay for the months I would be unpaid. Worth looking into!

I’m due 28th August and taking 2 weeks holiday from 28th July then triggering maternity leave. I work in hospitality management which is so physically demanding I don’t think I could go beyond 36 weeks. But only taking 6months off total as don’t think me and my partner could afford more than that

I'm due 4th August and finishing 4th July i think, my first came at 37 weeks so really want a couple weeks this time with my son in the sunshine before everything changes. Saying that this one will probably come at 42 weeks 😂. Taking a full year maternity then using some holiday at the end to take it to around 13 months. Highly recommend phasing your return if you can and building back up.