Maternity leave

Hi I am just wondering when people went on their Maternity leave or are planning to I am only 5 months gone but plan to stay at work as long as is physically possible as I sit behind a desk all day and do no stessful or physical work so feel as long as I feel fine I should be able to be here untill the day I go into labour (or as near to!!)

But talking to my boss yesterday who are generally brilliant and I am not sure on quite how to take it she was like "you will be feeling uncomfortable in July so should finish somewhere around there" but my problem is what if I dont have it untill the end of August I will of had a month off when I didnt want to.

Sorry to rant but just wondering on how other people feel on the situation or what choices they made

Thanks Stacey

I'm going to try to work as long as I can, will finish a few days before my due date if I still haven't had little bubs

I've felt really good so far and I am hoping that this continues (cross my fingers and my toes)

I got told by my MW not to stay any longer than 36 weeks at work as I'd be way too tired after that. But my work wanted me to stay longer. I compromised and stayed until 37 weeks and it was the hardest work week of my life. I had a great pregnancy up until then and that was the only week my BP went up too.

I was so so tired I managed to fall asleep at my desk on a kneeling chair.

And as it turned out I ended up having her at 38 weeks anyway.

I know it's tempting to stay at work rather than eat up maternity leave at home. But you will actually probably want to be home. Remember you're not going to get much rest once the baby is here.

Edited by Bobbie

I'm finishing at 36 weeks, but have reduced my hours from week 27 - I now take Wednesdays off (using my annual leave) to catch my breath and sleep! My theory is that will help me 'get through' to 36 weeks. I have a pretty supportive boss and will reduce my hours more in the last wee while if I need to.

I'm pretty sure that by law, you are entitled to 10 days leave without pay (which stinks) for anything related to your pregnancy, so if you became absilutely shattered and needed to stop, you could finish earlier than planned and take LWOP.

It's completely your call and not your boss's, so think about what you want and go from there. In my work place, you do not have to advise them of the plan till 3 months before your due date (can't remember if that is law or my work's policy) so you have some more time to make your decision.

See how you go......I say!

With my first..long time ago..I worked up until I was 37 weeks and was to have 3 weeks rest...however I finished on the Friday and had her on the Tuesday...

With Blake I intended working right up the same but unfortunately he came 5 weeks early too...I was at work when my waters broke....



Both my pregnancies were good and felt realatively fine so you just never can tell or know!

Thanks for all your help I Can reduce my hours not a problem which I think I will definatly do after everything you have said, and I know it all depends on how I am feeling and coping.

p.s check your contract, i was suprised to find my contract said i was allowed to use sick days for maternity related problems.

I felt that it was a bit of crystal ball gazing! I finished at 37 1/2 weeks which I thought was fine as Jack was supposed to be a week late - everyone is in my family. Jack arrived at 38wks 6 days, so I didn't end up having much time off, especially as my first 3 days of maternity leave were mostly spent training my replacement!
I would leave it as long as your boss allows to make the decision. You may feel fine, or in another month or so you may become really tired and need to finish early.

Employers are pretty flexible and I havent had 1 day off yet have had a sweet pregnancy no sickness no nothing, I think she was just in a crap mood yesterday but it just got me thinking!! I do work in retail but as you can see its not always very busy as I am here writing this!!!

I worked full time on my feet til 35 weeks and that was enough for me