When will you start maternity leave?

I guess it depends how you’re finding work! My maternity doesn’t start until the week I’m due, but I’ve taken annual leave from now (due in 6/7 weeks). But I work in a busy hospital ward so it was getting abit much!

I planned to go off at 36 weeks ( I was massive with Jacob) but because of complications I had to go off 6 weeks before. I would definitely say at least two weeks x

I started about a month ahead, and it turned out to have been a good choice as I delivered 3 weeks early.

I used my left over holiday as it’ll restart while on maternity leave which worked out about two weeks (I’ve used quite abit on actual holidays this year so you probably have more) and my maternity started today on my due date. I did exactly the same with my son and it worked perfectly for us x

I’ve used up all my annual leave but planning on starting my maternity 3 weeks before due date

I left the day before my due date and it was fine - office job! I wanted to have as long as possible with baby once they were here :) it worked out great, as my team really didn’t expect much of me for the last month or so, so was paid for doing not that much!!

How I see it is that the closer to due date you can work (where possible!!), the more you save on childcare the other side. I saved £600+ on childcare by working to due date and taking longer at home, as my little guy could start a month later :)

My maternity leave will depend on if I'm having section/induction at 37 weeks or going to term. Either way I'm hoping to leave around 2 weeks before I'm "due".
Midwives actually recommend starting from 32 weeks so you can look after yourself but that's just not realistic in most cases otherwise you'd be coming back to work so soon. Most employers are fairly flexible and even if you give a date will understand if you bring it forward if you can no longer hack it. Just remember if you go off sick in I think the 4 weeks before your Mat leave is due to start your employer can automatically start your maternity from there

I went about 4 weeks before my first was due and gave birth 2 weeks early. I think it’s really down to preference and situation. I would set a provisional date and see how you go, it would be worth checking with your employer how flexible they are with your leave date as you may find yourself feeling better or worse further down the line. I know lots of people who leave theirs to the last minute and have been fine but that’s not me and I’ll probably go 4 weeks before due date again X

I went off a month before with my first and he wasn't born until 3 days before due date so spent alot of time sat and being bored. This time I will go to 2 weeks before due date if no complications arise.

I am same planning to take only a week before if I am feeling well

I’m a spa therapist so my jobs quite physical, I’ve used most of my holidays in odd days here and there to get me through, I’m going to try fkr 2 weeks before due date but might have to make it the month before x

My mat leave will start on the day I give birth (c section) but I’m taking 12 days annual leave beforehand, so I will finish work at 36+3 on 19 Jan x

I’m going at the end of the year. Get to the Xmas break and bye bye - due on Feb 1st so it would be around w35! This is also possible using up days of annual leave I have left.

I’ll be going on maternity at 34 weeks. I’m using holiday over Christmas & new year to allow me to go off earlier.
Everyone’s circumstances are different though so just consider what is best for you and your family

I’m planning on going off at 37 weeks (hopefully!) but have annual leave sore just incase as I work in a hospital so can be quite heavy ☺️ xx

I’m due 1st feb too! ✌🏼😃 x

Due 04 February and last day in work is the 12th of January, but I might use holidays to finish after Christmas instead! I work from home though so I could really work up until the last minute!

My maternity starting the day I am due (valentines) but using all holiday I have left and going on the 24th Jan

The day I go into labour is when I’ll start mine.
But planning to work from home the 4/5 weeks before due date!

I took maternity a week before my first and that was perfect for me as I was WFH and she came on her due date. I didn’t want to be at home for weeks if she was overdue! I am now hybrid working and am going to take two weeks before as I have two kids at home this time so need more time to prepare food etc.

I've booked to start a week before I'm due but I work at home full time so think I can push it longer as I don't have to factor in commuting or anything

A month before due date this is including 2 weeks of A/L i intend to use

i’ll be going on mat leave on my due date 1st feb… i’ve used the rest of my holiday to have thursdays and friday’s off in january… 3 day week for me so i’m not completely bored ( i wfh so no going in to the office) i think it’s going to work perfectly :) x

I’m due in a Saturday and currently planning to work up until the Friday. I am lucky that my jobs doesn’t involve much walking as I’m at my desk all day and is only about 30 minutes from my house and not much more from the hospital.
I guess if I find myself very unorganised a few weeks before I could take a few extra days of week using holiday instead x