For my first I worked up to one week before the due date. That was fine - we went over by eleven days. I think we may have gone that far over because I didn't stop soon enough and wasn't mentally prepared. If you are fit and healthy I would go as long as pos because I went insane when I did stop working.

This time around I have Christmas holidays tacked on the front and another one at home so it is very different. Definately no time to get bored!

If I had to do the first one over again, I would see if I could work part time toward the end to ease into not working. It IS a shock on the system after working full time for so long. I guess it depends on your work situation.

One thing I did that I really regret was take my mat leave full time. In my work, I had the option of full or part time for twice as long. I would opt for part time for twice as long now....

Hope it helps.