When did you/are you taking Maternity leave?

[ShootingStar]

I was 38 weeks.. only did it because we needed the money, but the last few weeks were abo****e hell. I was so tired, so pregnant, needed to go to the bathroom every second minute and my feet and ankles were like balloons. If i was to do it again i would stop at 36 weeks i think..

[Catastrophic]

I'm a full time student (studing nursing) and work as a assistant as nurse...
I had to give up work at 3months due to complications... But my uni keeps me occupied~I finish uni in 2 weeks - i'll be 23weeks. And start back up again when i'm 38weeks... Hmm we'll see about that one~

[Snacks]

wow!! I was going to leave at 30 but now my boss has told me I have no job after the 22 week mark. I cant see anyone hiring a pregnant woman so I guess Ill be finished at 22 weeks.

Danni, how come you won't have a job? They are NOT allowed to sack you because you are preggers! What do you do? Is it dangerous for you and the baby?

[Mother Goose]

I'm a full time student (studing nursing) But my uni keeps me occupied~I finish uni in 2 weeks - i'll be 23weeks. And start back up again when i'm 38weeks... Hmm we'll see about that one~

Can you adjust your work load so you don't have any practical's next year? I know several girls at Uni (nursing) who have done this. Otherwise you could defer a year? I know a girl whose EDD is the day of her last exam!

[Rachel]

Hello. I will be 23 weeks on Saturday and because my job is very physical I am changing to safer duties from Monday which will be full time (40hrs/week) and will start leave at 35 weeks. I think it really depends on your job and health.

[Catastrophic]

Mother goose - Luckly i won't have any prac next year (i went part time this year and did it this year) i only have 2 classes next year, which is good because that means i only have to be at uni for 6-10 hours a week~ so i not away from my bubs for too long~

[Percy]

I'm finishing up on December 15 - I'll be 32 weeks. I'm due Feb 10 so with Christmas and NY holidays it doesn't make much sense for me to be there after Christmas for a few days in Jan (our office closes between Christmas and NY). PLus my mum will be over here for Christmas arriving on the 16th so I was always going to be on holidays that week!

Can't wait! 31 more work days left!!!

[chuckles]

I'll be working up till a week before the due date maybe the same week i'm due - work is pretty flexible - i work 2 -3 days per week. I've already had my job offered back to me whenever i feel like returning - soon the better the boss has said.

Such a different attitude compared to previous bosses where pregnancy was a disease!!!

[Shezabelle]

I have just finished. I was due to work until next thursday (32w6d) but am a nurse and it was just too much. Feels wierd not to be a worker but I'm sure I'll get used to it pronto!! I think it's just the transition time between finishing work and bubs arriving!!

[nickers]

i worked behind a computer so thought i would be right to work up until 37weeks.
I only made it to 33weeks, left work on the Thursday (before Easter break) and never returned! (had Nixon on easter monday)
when i tried to asked to use up my sick days (because wasnt due to be on maternity leave yet) i was told i couldnt because i had already had my baby so therfore started maternity leave. (had i still been sitting in hospital pregnant i could have)
I am on 12months leave now but hopefully wont have to go back there (worked for 7yrs there but really over it)
So i didnt get to have any time between leaving work and being a mum. Although a positive side of Nixon being in hospital was i got to recover from my c/s & ready to takle it all by the time he came home.

[LuluHB]

I'm officially leaving when I'm 32 weeks but I'd be amazed if I don't go back in for a few hours here and there over the next few weeks getting everybody organised. I wear two hats so I've got a fair few duties to dish out!

[Karina]

I just put in my maternity leave application today. I told them I would be working up until 15/02, which is about 4 weeks before bub is due.
I dont want to work too late incase bub decided to come early, but I also dont want to leave too early as we could really use the extra money.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

My maternity leave starts when I'm 38 and a half weeks pregnant - although I'm taking holiday now, so have been on leave since 34w. If it weren't for Christmas and that being a natural leaving time, or for me having 17 days holiday to take, I would be leaving at 37w.

[Jule]

I'm planning on work until 38 weeks. I have a desk job and a really short trip to work so I'm hoping it will be OK. I had most of last year off work as a full time student so I really need the money!

[Mother Goose]

I'm the same as you Jule. I'm working to 38 weeks and my work at the moment is mostly at the desk. I have to travel 45 min to work but my hospital is about a 5 sec walk from work - literally! Plus I'm only working 2 days a week at the moment Plus, with all the time off I've had to take for Uni this year I really need the money!

[Kirsty77]

I went on maternity leave early both times. My job is very physical and when pregnant with Gemma my BP went sky high at 20wks so I left at 23 wks and with Jasmine my bp was perfect but I left at 24 wks and just as well as I had major gallbladder attacks!!

[Charly's mum]

I went on maternity leave at 37 weeks on 1 December and had Charly on the Sunday. Think she was waiting for me to totally relax, not that I was doing to much at work and was doing half days when possible.

I have taken a year off but will see about going back part time around October, depending on baby.

[Cherie]

I'm going to start my maternity leave at 36 wks. I have a desk job, in air conditioning, so won't have a problem with the work side of things. But the travel is starting to get to me - I have a 45min train trip followed by a 15 min walk (in business attire, in the middle of Summer) so I'm exhausted by the time I actually arrive at work.