When did you start maternity leave? Options

[beachgurl]

I take leave 2 weeks prior to my due date. In the past week or so I've had a lot of people telling me that I'm crazy for working that long and how am I going to cope. I'm taking a leave of absence so really can't take any extra time off and am starting to wonder if I m pushing my limit? I worked from home in my own business when pregnant with zoe (and worked until a few hours before being induced) so things are quite different this time around.

Out of interest, how long before your due date did you commence leave?

[Calzo]

With Miss Z (number two) I worked up until 38 weeks, two weeks before my due date. She then arrived on her due date!

With the twins I worked up until 32 weeks and couldn't work anymore because the school year finished!

I think you know if you can do it! Don't listen to what others say!

[_Alana_]

36 last time and I'll be 36 on the dot with this one - working in Childcare I'm told that is pushing it considering the other pregnant staff member finished at 32 a few weeks back. I don't find pregnancy an illness so would prefer just to get on with it and hate sitting around waiting. Considering I was 2 weeks late with my first 6 weeks wa a looonnnngggg wait ! If I could physically do my job well I would work longer than 36 weeks more money to stay home with bubs than this time my first 2 weeks of leave from 36 weeks are annual leave so technically my leave is kicking in at 38 weeks you'll be fine because after a day or two home you'll be bored

[Emtree]

With both my pregnancies I had planned to finish at about 37 weeks. With both pregnancies I ended up in hospital with 1 day left of work.

[Kate S]

I work for the Fed Govt, and my Dept has a 'confinement period' of 6 weeks prior to due date. We can get a Dr's cert to state we are fit to work past this date if need be.

I planned to finish up at 34 weeks, but I'm feeling good (**touch wood**) so I'm thinking of working until 36-37 weeks.

[Penny P Star]

I worked until just over 37 weeks with both my pregnancies - this was as late as my obs would give me a medical certificate for (required by my work to work past 34 weeks).

Both times I didn't have my bubs until my due date so that gave me plenty of time to rest, nest and get impatient

[AnA927]

I work for the Fed Govt, and my Dept has a 'confinement period' of 6 weeks prior to due date. We can get a Dr's cert to state we are fit to work past this date if need be.

Same. I'm not sure when I'll finish, itll depend how i feel but I won't go beyond 36 weeks.

[crisis]

I worked to about 37 weeks and DS arrived at 38 weeks, so didn't have much time off.

If you can manage it I don't see why not...just be prepared in case bubba arrives early!

[Catran]

I think I worked up to 36+2, which was the end of the school year. DS was born on his due date.

[SEA]

I worked until 34 weeks with both.

Henry was born at 34+4, and Carys at 38+4. I was happy to have extra rest with her, but I don't think I wouldn't have liked to have gone over due!

[hanes]

With Annabelle I worked until 36 weeks and she was born a week late. I was very bored!

So, with Louis, I worked up until I was 37.5 weeks and he was born a week later.

[L C]

I worked up until 38.5 weeks - 9 days til EDD. DD was 5 days late, so I ended up with 2 weeks total off work before she came.

I, too, didn't see my pregnancy as an illness, and I loved my job. My boss was happy to let me work for as long as I was happy to work for - she'd worked up until about the same with her bubs, too, so was very supportive. Was a small business, so no 'rules' about how long I could work for.

As it was, I was bored those last two weeks. At least my mum was around to keep me company!

I haven't yet returned to work, but if/when I do, I'll probably work up to the same with this one. I'll be working less hours, anyway - prob one day a week instead of full-time like I was last time.

[aChocLover]

DD1 - worked up until 38 weeks with Dr certificate, gave birth 40+9, so 3 weeks prior to birth.
DD2 - worked up until 39 weeks with Dr certificate, gave birth 40+7, so 2 weeks prior to birth.

In saying that, I'd had a fairly easy going pregnancy & have an office job, so was able to sit comfortably for most of the working day.

[ClaireBear]

I worked until 36 with my last pregnancy. I had planned to work until my due date, which was the last day of the school year but I just got too tired. As it turned out, she came before then so it was just as well.

With the twins, I only worked until 24 weeks, and that was one week after the school year returned and I'd just had 7 weeks off. That was a bit different though.

I think if you feel up to it, go for it. I enjoyed my time at home but I did feel a bit bored from time to time.

[KittyKatz]

For DD1, I finished at 36 weeks. I'm a primary school teacher and I was just exhausted teaching 33 ten year olds, plus I was on top of a 3 storey building so it was hard work each day! This was a lovely amount of time off, I had time to relax and also she was 9 days early.

With DD2, I finished to coincide with the end of Term 2 of school and I was 32 weeks. There was no point in having 2 weeks school holidays, go back for 2 weeks and then finish at 36 weeks again. I was exhausted again with teaching an energetic Year 2 class, and also with a toddler of my own, so this gave me time to relax a bit before DD2 arrived (this time 4 days late!)