how much maternity leave?

[k8bailey]

What is the standard amount of maternity leave to take before the baby is due? I know you can have up to 11 weeks but whats the average? coz I have to notify my employer of how much I would like in 3weeks time and I havent got a clue!

[indiechic]

You can set a date and then change it with 4 weeks writte notice. People seem to take between 2 weeks and a month before the baby is due. I was going to work up until my due date but ended up getting preeclampsia symptoms at 3 weeks whilst on shift. I phoned my head office and told them and that I would really like to stop working today and they said it was fine. If they hadn;t I could have got a sick note and they would have automatically started my leave from then as they are entitled to do that. So give something like a month and if you feel you arent coping then ask for it to be brought forward.

[mountainboo]

Hi k8
Originally I was due to start my maternity leave with 6 weeks to go, however my partner did his back in and I ended up over doing things a bit at home and the doctor signed me off untill my maternity leave is due to start, so I now have 8 weeks to go.
Everyone is different but I thought I'd be fine right up untill my due date but actually even if partner hadn't of done his back in I still would've found it hard at work because I'm so big now. Most people usually go for 4 weeks or less, but if your a weed like me you'd want to take as long as possible before your due date, bearing in mind it will affect how long you get the other side.
Good luck x

[pink-kittens]

Just a note to add about employers being entitled to start your mat leave

They can ONLY start your leave 11 weeks before your due date and not before and they can only start it earl if you are off sick with a pregnancy related 'illness'. So if you have, say the dreaded D&V they cannot make you start mat leave early.

It's up to you when you start mat leave - anytime after the 29th week. You can set a date then change your mind as long as you let your employer know in writing

Have you got a union rep at work?

[natalie_1982]

Hi K8, the latest I could start my maternity leave is the last Sunday before my due date, so I am finishing work in 8 weeks and baby is due in just under 9. If I could then I would work right up until my due date as my family history is going the full 2weeks overdue so I want to spend as much time with my little one as possible and if I finish work 2 weeks before my due date it's likely that it will be one whole month before baby is born (hope that makes sense).

However, I am lucky that at the moment *touch wood* I am not very big (I spent an entire morning with two people yesterday who didn't even notice until it came to arranging an appt with them in 2 months and I pointed out I would be on mat leave), and I am not suffering really to warrant taking time off work yet. If I suddenly get huge or begin finding it too tough then I will stop as soon as my body tells me too X

[gem_35]

your best bet is to type in maternity leave on google (uk only) and go on dwp website, it will tell you everything.