When did you start maternity leave?

[Mum2SweetCs]

I worked from home 1 week before my due date and worked until i was 3 days to my due date.

Depends on how you feel really. I went bowling on the night before i was due.

[BekZ]

I worked till 35wks. At the time my office had no aircon and it was coming into summer, needless to say I was huge due to fluide retention and very glad to be giving up work.

I thought that I would have heaps of time to clean and shop for Christmas but because I was so huge I didn't get as much as I wanted done.

A collegue of mine worked till 38wks and she gave birth the next day..she had no time to prepare.

Personally I loved having the last bout of me time....I don't think I'lll get that back for years to come....I don't mind tough.

[ness]

I left 3.5 weeks prior and felt i could have gone atleast another week/week and a half
the first week was good - did the whole nesting thing but by week 2 boredom andspending too much money at the shops kicked in.

[Maybebabie]

I left the day dd was born, well actually i rang and said i wasn't coming in so tech finished the Friday 3days before. I was suppose to have about 3 weeks off and with my first thought this would give me a lovely chance to relax. Well dd decided to cut short my final two weeks at work.

I felt great throughout and i have a desk job so it cetainly made it easier.

This time round i'll probably finish up about 36weeks depending how i am feeling as I am a lot more tired this time around. Plus i'll have a toddler at home who will no doubt occupy me.

Like most people I am required to produce a doctors certifcate if i don't leave 6 weeks before, i am also required to take 6 weeks after. I am probably only taking my 3months paid leave plus a couple of weeks annual leave so it's a juggle about how much before and how much after, but my work is pretty flexible and i can also work from home a bit as well so i don't have to rush it too much.

[Tiff+2]

I finished work at 38 weeks as I was exhaused (I did work 10 hr days though) and then had time to finish getting bubby's cothes washed and ready etc.

Good luck with the final stage of your pregnancy... Not long to go now!

[queenbee]

I was 20 weeks when I left. Had the second half of my pregnancy at home, to relax and enjoy it. There was no way I was working right up until she was due, I worked in a really stressful environment! Ended up my Dad passed away 8 days before I was due to go on maternity leave anyway

I really did enjoy having the second half at home though

[~Hestia~]

I'm pregnant with my first baby & I am planning to leave at 30 weeks. I am a nurse in a very heavy Aged Care facility, which makes it harder to keep working. Also my husband will be starting his annual leave at this time so we can have some time together before bubs is born.
I'm using my years annual leave first, which is for 5 weeks. Then I will start my maternity leave which I will be on for at least a year.
I think it's personal choice. I've had people tell me 30 weeks is sooo early, & others say I'm leaving it too late. You have to do what's best for you.

[TreeTops]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They helped me make the decision to finish up at 35w2d.

I'm also taking one day of annual leave per week in Feb, in addition to the 4 day week next week, so this is my last 5 day week - yay!