Maternity leave start dates

I was the same! I also work in a school, I'm finishing next Friday at 35+1 due to the fact I'm exhausted and high risk !
Do what feels best for your body

I started mine on the 21st August, I was 31weeks. I worked as a chef, so this probably had alot to do with it as the kitchen heat and the physical demands of the job aren't entirely pregnancy friendly, they did their best to support me but as we were short staffed and stuff it just was becoming more difficult by the day. Oh I'm also low risk and have had a fairly smooth pregnancy x

I’m also a teacher and I’m currently 35+2. I’ve put to finish on 29th September (38+4) which feels like forever away! I think I’m going to take it week by week but the thought of bringing it forward by a week has definitely crossed my mind!

I started annual leave at 36 weeks and my mat leave will start at 39 weeks. At 34 weeks I thought I was going too soon, but my last week at work was HARD going and I'm glad I finished when I did, especially with this heatwave

I finished last Friday and started my maternity on Monday which is a month to my due date :)

I work in a nursery so on my feet all day. I took 3 weeks annual leave from 33 weeks and then officially start my maternity leave at 36 weeks. I didn't see the point in starting a new term, and I'm so glad I didn't as with this heatwave I'd have been so uncomfortable!

I end on 29/09/2023, baby due 12/10/2023. I am probably going to be induced on 05/10 though. I don’t know how I will cope with the next three weeks. I work from home but I’m struggling. I also think the heat doesn’t help so will hopefully feel better next week.

I didn’t leave until 36 weeks thinking that I had a few weeks to get everything ready and then I ended up starting to be induced at 37 weeks (this week) so I think if you feel ready go when’s best for you don’t feel pressured to stay till the very end! X

I'm on the same boat. Ill be 38 weeks. They haven't found anyone to replace me yet so feeling the pressure x

I just finished work at 36 weeks. 3 weeks annual leave, 1 week Mat before my date. I felt exhausted tbh and I was in a office job. X

I’m due 26th October but will be induced the week before at 39 weeks. I’ve said to work that I’ll go on maternity leave at 37 weeks but this week has been so difficult with the heat, I’m just exhausted. I got so down today that I honestly contemplated saying I’ll just finish on Friday (33 weeks).

I’m just hoping once this heatwave passes that I might start feeling a bit better and just try and get through these next few weeks. I think the hardest part is my patience is just so low, all my energy is being taken just trying to stay awake and do the basics that whenever anybody asks me anything I can feel myself get annoyed and snap. Fingers crossed September flies by!!

I’m a teacher too - currently 36+2 (c-section booked in at 39+2) but I’m really struggling - said I’d do until 37+ 4 (next Friday) but don’t think I’m going to make it. We’re not getting any medals for going to school so going to chat to my head about starting my mat leave a week earlier than planned on Friday 🙏🙏 look after yourself x

I finish on Friday 34+1 with three weeks annual leave and starting maternity in 2/10 baby due on 19/10 xx

I've got no annual leave to take before so my maternity leave starts when I'm 39+1 x

Thanks everyone its so useful and helpful to know everyones positions. I think the heat is definitely playing a part in making everything seem so much harder. I am going to chat to the head tomorrow and see if we can make some adjustments to work from home as I am on paperwork duty anyway and then see how I feel. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancies 🤍🤍🤍

Teacher here too. I’m due 27th October and hopefully working until 20th October (39 weeks).

I’ve planned to take mine from 38 +2 but I don’t think I’m going to last that long 🤣 my work are really flexible though so they’ve said if I’m struggling let them know and I can start it whenever. This is baby number 2 and I am EXHAUSTED 🤣 x

I am working until 38+4 using annual leave until my due date. I work an office job from home though so no commute or standing / moving x

I'm currently 35weeks5days and my last day at work is next Friday (37weeks). At the moment I feel that I could work slightly longer but I don't want to take the risk of going into labour at work and I know so many people who have had babies early or as soon as they start their maternity who wished they had a bit more time to rest and to have to themselves before baby arrives.

I’m due on the 19th October and my last day is the 1st, I’m taking some paid holidays until I give birth though, I work for a family business baking so constantly on my feet 8 hours 5/6 days a week, I feel like if I was in a different job I would of left a little earlier due to my tiredness and aches but luckily I’m in a position where I can go sit down if I need to or leave work early with it being my uncle who’s the boss haha xx

I start mine next Friday at 37+1 x

@Emily oh almost same! Finished Friday but Friday was 28 days to my due date :) wondering if I should have stayed this week for air con but its so nice to be able to go back to bed at 8am and sleep till 10 after my partner goes to work and I inevitably have to go to the loo. I don't think I could sleep before 2am in this heat anyway

Got my last day in two weeks, 22nd September when I'll be turning 38 weeks the following day. I'm so done with work and cannot wait to be off. But also already dreading being bored 😆

Im working until 37 weeks. So I'm due on 28/10/23 but last day at work is 06/10. I'd got some holiday leave to take so will be having that the week after I finish and then start maternity on 16/10/23 x

I'm due on October 19th and was due to start ML on 2nd October. However, because of the Pelvic Pain, the midwife wants me to stop work now, so I'm starting on 14th September instead as she also thinks they will probably induce at 38wks ish anyway because of the PGP