When should you start your maternity leave?

Should you trade time to nest for time with your baby? We share advice on how to decide a date to start your maternity leave.

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In the UK, it's clearly defined that pregnant employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks maternity leave (comprising 26 weeks of 'Ordinary Maternity Leave' and 26 weeks of 'Additional Maternity Leave'), 39 weeks of which you may be eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay. However, there is little legal or medical guidance as to when you should start your maternity leave.

This is a surprisingly difficult decision because while its tempting to say that you'll work for as long as possible so that you'll have more time off to spend with your baby once he or she arrives, this may not be the best option for you. Some women successfully work right up until they go into labour and feel fine while others choose to start maternity leave as soon as possible.

What does the law say?

Legally you have to notify your employer 15 weeks before your baby is due when you would like to start your maternity leave. It is possible to change your mind so there is a little flexibility however, you will have to give at least 28 days notice of any change you decide to make.

You are able to start your maternity leave as soon as 11 weeks before your due date, however you are entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments and classes recommended by your midwife or doctor before this.

The need to 'nest'

While some women feel happy going straight from work to life with a new baby, others feel they need to switch off from work mode and get themselves in a 'new Mum' mindset before their baby arrives. So, when deciding on a start date for your maternity leave its important to consider how much time you'd like to prepare for your baby's arrival both psychologically and practically. Many women feel they need a couple of weeks to sort out the house, stock up the freezer, buy last minute baby bits and just relax before the big day. However, if you have everything sorted and are keen on working to the last minute you'll be reassured to know that many women successfully make the transition to motherhood this way too.

The financial aspect

Any time you take as maternity leave before your baby arrives still counts as part of your entitlement so there is also a financial aspect to consider. The earlier you go on maternity leave, the sooner you'll start receiving SMP meaning that you will have fewer paid weeks off after your baby arrives. This is obviously something that you'll need to consider when deciding when you'll stop working.

Your energy levels

Pregnancy is a tiring business from beginning to end (minus a few weeks in the middle if you're lucky!!) and the final weeks of pregnancy can seem exhausting. While, if you're a first timer you'll have little way of knowing how you'll feel in the weeks before your baby arrives, y ou may want to make an educated guess based on how you're feeling now. If you've struggled with pregnancy so far in terms of tiredness, exhaustion or trouble sleeping you may choose to take some time off to relax and recuperate before you become a Mum.

Your Job

When you notify your employer of your pregnancy they are legally obliged to carry out a risk assessment of both your work environment and the work you carry out, making any necessary changes to protect your baby and ensure that you're comfortable. However, the nature of your job and your ability to cope with the demands placed on you will also affect your decision as to when you will begin maternity leave. If your concerned about being overworked or overstressed you should ask your midwife for advice on combining pregnancy with a busy working life.

Travel

If you work around the corner from where you live this is unlikely to be a determining factor in when you'll start maternity leave. However, if you 'enjoy' a long commute to work each day, whether it be by train, car or foot, it's important to take your ability to cope with it into consideration. If you find it particularly exhausting or unbearable now its possible that you'll find it even more so when you're very heavily pregnant.

What if there are complications?

If you suffer from a pregnancy related illness throughout your pregnancy you will be entitled to time off irrespective of any sickness policy your company has. The only exception to this is if you take time off sick in the final four weeks before your due date as your employer does have the power to start your maternity leave early. Similarly if you give birth before you were due to go on maternity leave it will commence from the date your baby arrives.

Holiday entitlements

Many women choose to save up their holiday entitlement to use at the start of their maternity leave. This can be a good option as it can mean you don't have to start maternity leave as early but still get the benefit of a couple of weeks at home before your baby arrives. Even if you don't have many days saved up by the time your maternity leave comes around you could use your holiday to taper down your working week whereby you take a couple of days holiday for two or three weeks before you finish for good so you still have time at home to relax and prepare for baby's arrival but keep in touch with work. However, while using your holiday to extend your maternity leave is tempting this plan isn't without its flaws as if you arrange to 'supplement' your maternity leave with your accrued holiday but then go into labour early you may lose your holiday entitlement if your company doesn't allow you to carry it over. You will however continue to accrue holiday throughout your maternity leave.

Have you already given notice of your maternity leave or are you struggling with the decision? Why not share your experience, advice and dilemmas with other parents-to-be on the AskBaby Forums..