When did you start maternity leave?

[Lulu]

It was the same in my workplace - had to finish at 36 weeks. I actually found it boring too, but I finished then because I couldn't wait to leave work behind for awhile!

With no 3, I planned to finish 3 weeks early but she decided to come the very night I finished - yep, went into labour at my last team meeting!

I think 3 -4 weeks before you are due is optimal, but the best thing to do is leave some of the planning for those weeks. Most of the time we go nuts and have everything ready by the time we finish work, leaving nothing else to do.

The weeks before baby comes can drag on a little, but its also wonderful time to really slow down, enjoy the anticipation, wash and fold those tiny baby clothes and finish off the nursery. Try not to get everything done too soon ifkwim? Enjoy the pre baby rituals.

[MrsC_Aussie]

is really weird, I found out the other day we can't take maternity leave until baby is born..so if we want to stop work before baby comes we have to take annual leave or unpaid leave..how weird is that?

[MrsC_Aussie]

is really weird, I found out the other day we can't take maternity leave until baby is born..so if we want to stop work before baby comes we have to take annual leave or unpaid leave..how weird is that?

[puppies]

I am lucky as I have a very flexible company that I work for. Plus bump is due in early January. I will stop coming into the office in just 6 weeks, I will be 33 weeks by then, but I will work right up until we break for Christmas but I will do those last 2 weeks from home. So I am on annual leave as per normal and that will take me up until the baby is born (aprox). Then I will be on unpaid maternity leave for 3 months and we will see how we go after that. But the plan is t come back to work after 3 months PT but from home. Then after another 3 months I plan to be back at work FT but a mix of the office and at home. Will see how that plan actually works though!

[Sequoia]

I went on mat leave at 33 weeks. At 38 weeks I went to Perth to have bubs, so had around 5 weeks at home, it was the hottest March ever so I laid under the AC a lot!

[Karina]

is really weird, I found out the other day we can't take maternity leave until baby is born..so if we want to stop work before baby comes we have to take annual leave or unpaid leave..how weird is that?

That doesnt sound right. You might want to check what the rules are in Vic.

I started my maternity leave at just before 37 weeks. I could have gone right up until the day before Claire was born (I had a good pregnancy with not much discomfort) but I was getting so frustrated with work that I just couldnt wait to get out of there. I spent the first week doing housework, and the second week sleeping, then Claire was born at 38.5 weeks.

[MrsC_Aussie]

looks like its quite correct actually, requirement is for 6 weeks maternity leave FROM date of birth! Found the below on a government website

Maternity LeaveEntitlement

Female employees may take between 6 and 52 weeks of maternity leave in one unbroken period. There is a compulsory period of 6 weeks maternity leave following the birth of the baby.
Requirements

An employee must give the correct notice in order to be eligible for maternity leave, except where that notice cannot be given due to the confinement occurring earlier than the expected date:

* at least 10 weeks before the expected date of birth an employee must provide her employer with a medical certificate stating that she is pregnant and the expected date of birth.

* At least 4 weeks before an employee is to commence her maternity leave, she must notify the employer of the proposed commencement date of the maternity leave. She is also required to provide a statutory declaration stating any paternity leave sought or taken by her spouse and her agreement that for the period of maternity leave she will not engage in any conduct inconsistent with her contract of employment.

[Mrs Jak]

I think last time I finished at 32 weeks and took 6 weeks annual leave first.

This time I'm looking at finishing at 32 weeks again and taking 3 weeks leave before it.

I'm also adding on 4 weeks leave without pay, so I will be off for 60 weeks, which is in our agreement.

MrsC, I think it means that, as a minimum you have to take at least 6 weeks leave from the birth, so that you would have had your 6 week check-up and be cleared to work again after the birth, if you chose to do so.

You are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave or you can have as little as 6 weeks. It's your choice how long and when you start it.

[Karina]

Yep, I am pretty sure it means you have to take at least 6 weeks off after the birth of your baby. They wouldnt make you work right up until the day your baby is born. You just have to give them 4 weeks notice of the actual date you want to start your leave.

I remember when I was applying for my maternity leave, they told me I had to start my maternity leave 6 weeks before my babys due date, but if I got a medical certificate to say I was fit to work later than that then I could... so I did and I worked till 37 weeks. But either way, I had to have the first 6 weeks off after she was born.

[MrsC_Aussie]

If I want to stop work earlier than baby is due, I can take annual leave or unpaid leave, but I can't start the official maternity leave component untilbaby is born. from all I can gather, I'm quite permitted by the company to work right up till, and theres no requirement by law for a person to start before bub is born