When did you start your maternity leave?

[Browncoffee]

I'm just under 22 weeks and plan to leave work at 34 weeks, although taking the last 2 weeks in August as annual leave so officially starting mat leave at 36 weeks.

I love a bit if 'me time' and haven't enjoyed much of that in recent years, thanks to work. I imagine it'll only get worse once the baby is here, so planning to get my fill of putting my feet up, listening to my music and getting started on all those new books I've got sitting on the book shelf.

I also haven't started on the shopping yet, so imagine I will still have a few things to buy closer to my due date (24th Sept according to LMP, and 19th Sept according to dating scan).

Talking of which, what date do you stick with? One midwife recommended scan date which I used for a while, but another midwife said to stick to LMP date so I'm back to due date on 24th Sept.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Browncoffee,

In my 2nd pregnancy I decided to have a 'due week' instead of a 'due date'. In the end both my girls were a week late, and I suspect future babies would be too, if I were mad enough to have more! I believe my 'natural pregnancy length' is 41 weeks.

So - if you can bear it I wouldn't fixate on any one date, it only winds you up and makes you feel miserable if you go past it (in my experience of most pregnant ladies, including myself).

At least with a 'due week' you are giving yourself a bit of leeway!

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, and especially the last 6 weeks. I loved that time pottering around with my bump, almost in a dream like state at times. It is very rare in modern life to have time like that.

Molly

x

[Knomester]

I'm 28 weeks now and all being well I've planned to finished when I'll be around 36 and a half weeks. Originally I'd planned to push my finish date a little later, but in the grand scheme of things I don't think a week or two here or there will make much difference once baby arrives.

I like the idea of having some time to myself to put my feet up and get sorted (and do lots of cooking and baking...!). Added to which my mile walk over One Tree Hill to Honor Oak Park to the station and back every day is getting more and more like hard work each week...!!

[Smiler]

The first time I finished at 35 weeks and my daughter was a little late, so had almost 6 weeks off. Loved it and may never have that amount of leisure time again (sob). Was lucky as had lots of untaken annual leave to extend the mat leave with.

It's excellent (though odd) that we accrue annual leave while on maternity leave!

This time am planning to work a bit longer, all being well, as am doing a much easier job and find it easier to go to work than look after a toddler!