When will everyone be taking their maternity leave? And do you think its more important to leave as soon as you can, to get the right rest and to take care of yourself and your baby before he/she is born? Or, do you think its more important to work as long as you can to get the maximum time off with your baby? Discuss.......

Hi,
Im currently 21 wks pregnant and plan to leave at the end of June, will then be approx 35 weeks. Im taking the first week in July as holiday so my maternity starts a bit later and that way i get a bit extra money. I think it all depends on the person and how their pregnancy is going but i want to have time to prepare for the baby before it arrives - who knows baby might be early?

Thanks x

Hi with my first pregnancy I finished work at 36 weeks and then ended up being induced at 37 weeks as I had high blood pressure. I was really busy at work and in the middle of moving house. Wished I'd finished a lot earlier now looking back.
Make sure you get time to relax before the baby comes. some people seem to think your being a wimp if you leave too early. Its important to think of yourself at baby in the last few weeks. Will definately be finishing earlier this time round.

Hi - this is a tricky one. I am only 15 1/2 weeks right how and initially had decided to work to the end. However I am due at a v. busy time of the year at work (I'm due in September and work at a university) so have decided to leave 2 weeks before the baby is due. I have decided this also because I know how I am - I leave things to the last minute and don't want to be manic a few weeks before I'm due! I think a lot depends on how things are at your work and when you think you'll be ready for the birth. Also I have spoken to mothers who saya lot can change, you might think you can work till the day, but that might change as your pregnancy progresses. Just make sure you don't over do it!! Kavita.x

Thanx for your reply, I'm 26 weeks, so i could leave in another 3 or 4 weeks. I'm in a job where i'm on my feet all day and am finding it hard. And then i'm spending my days off doing house work and other chores. I'm also thinking financially I'd like to stay as long as possible, I don't know, I thought at the biggin that when the time came, i'd leave like a shot! Luckily though, my boss said I don't have to give her any notice, so its not something i have to really plan.

Hi I'm due on the 18th of May and I start my maternity leave on the 16th of April but I have taken a weeks holiday the week before so I will finish work at 35 weeks.
Its really up to the individual person when to start your leave but if you have any holidays left you could take them first. If you are having a difficult pregnancy (high blood pressure etc) you may want to start earlier than others. I also think it depends on how physical your job is. I'm a playworker in a Creche and its getting quite difficult for me to get down on the floor with the kids or lift the babies up now.
Hope this helps x