How long you taking maternity?

Unsure yet as I can spread my mat pay over 12 months which would be delightful but payments would be smaller or condense to the 9 so I’m really undecided x

Going on leave 10th jan officially start mat leave 20th and due on 25th x

Most likely the full paid 39 weeks and then will top up annual leave and bank holidays. That’s what I did with my first but might stretch to a year this time

I'm due the 9th but finishing for maternity on the 5th. Last day of work is Christmas eve as using some annual leave prior and keep the rest for the end of maternity. I'm taking the 39 weeks paid which takes me to the 5th October and then using annual leave so roughly about 10/11 months😊 Cannot afford to go to zero pay especially the way the way the economy and bills are just now🥲 x

I’m taking the full year because my little one will need to go in nursery 4 days and if I go back before he qualifies for 30 free hours it will be £1400 per month nearly. But waiting until Jan it will be half the amount. Don’t fancy rushing back to see nearly all my wage go! But I will struggle with the reduced payments for a full year. It’s a hard toss up.

I own a company and didn’t take anything with my first so this time I plan on taking a few months off

@Hannah that’s a good point. X

I will be taking 6 months and then going part time for a further 3, using up my annual leave.

Thank you guys I thought I was being silly my partner was speaking to me telling me its best I go back after 9 months or 10 by the time I add on annual leave. With my first 2 I always took 12 to 13 months but now days prices going up its difficult.

Taking another year off. Having baby on 28th December now so starting maternity on 20th December.

I had a baby Jan 2024 and finished work 8th December but took holiday so didn’t start till 3rd January. She arrived the 12th. I should be returning the 3rd Jan 2025 however I’m due again and having an elected c section 28th Jan so will be using my holiday from this year between 3rd and 28th Jan 😅 so it’s now been extended to the 30th September.

As long as I need 🫣😂. I’m having twins so as much as I’d love to still go back to work after and gain some normality back in my life- I’m being realistic to know how difficult it could be actually going back 🫣 x

@Sophie yeah I totally understand I said ro my partner if we was having twins I would definitely not be going back to work lol

@Nat twins are going to be hard but I’m not saying one baby is easy either! My boss told me his wife didn’t even want to go back to work after they had their first. Sometimes you just get sucked into being a mum and last thing you want is to add more stress/responsibilities into your world; you just want to focus on being a mother. I mean, I’m not there yet as this is my first time. But I wouldn’t stress and think about going back to work yet, as you never know what’s around the corner or how you’re going to feel. Xx

Yes, exactly this is actually my 3rd but I guess every time is different with my first I didn't mind going back to work with my 2nd was during covid I definitely wanted some normality but with this one I don't really want too go back haha

I’m at SAHM now but with my first I had 13 months off work before going back. This time I’ll have 3 years 😂😂

9 months, but will use holidays up at the end so might get an extra month or so off. I’m going off as close to my due date as possible, so I have as much time as I can with the baby ❤️

@Karlie that's also my plan I'm due in early Jan not sure of the date as it will be a c-section which I guess is more helpful for me to plan when I start maternity x

I’m due on the 8th jan and plan on working up to the 3rd Jan. I am taking a minimum of 9 months but will stretch to 12 if money is ok x

Aiming to take up to 9 months, taking may leave from the 20th Jan, due 31st.

I'm self employed, so I'm not taking anytime off 😅

Taking leave for the whole of December and then maternity will start January and I’m aiming to take 8 months x

I’m gonna take from Jan-April full time, then will possibly be part time until October (I’m self employed/own my own business so can’t take a whole year off completely, but I WFH and am my own boss so not too worried)