When did you start maternity leave?

[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

[OceanPrincess]

I'm planning on finishing up about 4 weeks before EDD. A lot will depend on how I am feeling - at 20 weeks I started getting swelling in my feet and my Obs is worried about my comfort (or discomfort I should say) as it gets hotter and I get bigger.

The most I can take is 6 weeks before but I'm going to try for 4 weeks so I can take longer after. It should be ok as the four weeks before I plan on leaving are Christmas/New Year/early Jan so it should be nice and quiet and broken up by lots of public holidays.

We'll see!

[Pandora]

With DS I worked until 38 weeks.
This time i am aiming to finish up at 37 weeks.
I would like to finish earlier but i need to take annual leave until my due date - my employer offers paid maternity leave, and i qualify for it but only just - my EDD is 4 days after I finishe the required service period, so any leave up until then has to be annual leave.

[Saffi]

I worked up until 37 weeks. As soon as I stopped working I developed shingles, plantar warts on my foot and huge fluid retention. I think I was running on adrenalin for so long that once I stopped my body shut down. Bubs ended up being a week late so had 4 weeks rest all up.

Next time (if there is one) I'll probably stop work earlier. I'll have a toddler at home that will be keeping me busy.

[TwinsMummy]

hey i was 30 weeks pregnant with the twins when i left work wish i could of stayed longer it was the only place i wasnt in pain except my feet.

[Isadora]

I finished up at 35 weeks and was hoping I'd have bubs around 37/38 weeks. Not to be we made it to 40 weeks and 5 days, I was bored outta my brain! Theres only so much Dr Phil & Oprah you can watch!!