When to Start Maternity Leave: Finding the Best Time for You

When Should You Start Maternity Leave?

Choosing when to start your maternity leave is one of the most personal decisions you'll make during pregnancy. There's no single "right" answer — it depends on your health, your job, your finances, and your preferences. This guide helps you weigh up the options.

The Legal Limits

The law sets clear boundaries on when maternity leave can begin:

•Earliest start: 11 weeks before your due date (around week 29 of pregnancy)

•Latest start: The day after your baby is born

•Automatic triggers: Your leave starts automatically if your baby arrives before your chosen date, or if you're off sick with a pregnancy-related illness in the last 4 weeks before your due date

Use our Maternity Leave Planner to calculate your specific dates.

Starting Early (11-6 Weeks Before Due Date)

Advantages

•More time to rest and prepare before the birth

•Reduces work-related stress in late pregnancy

•Time for nesting, hospital bag packing, and practical preparations

•Useful if your job is physically demanding or has a long commute

•Less pressure if your baby arrives early

Disadvantages

•Less time off after your baby is born — your 52 weeks of leave starts from your chosen date, not the birth

•SMP starts sooner, meaning your paid period ends sooner

•You may feel bored or isolated if you're used to working

Starting Late (2-0 Weeks Before Due Date)

Advantages

•Maximum time off after the birth when you need it most

•More weeks on full salary before dropping to SMP

•Keeps you engaged and distracted in late pregnancy

•SMP payments extend further into your baby's first year

Disadvantages

•Can be exhausting in the final weeks of pregnancy

•Risk of going into labour at work or commuting

•May not have time for proper work handover if baby arrives early

•Pregnancy-related illness in the last 4 weeks can trigger leave automatically

The Most Popular Choice

Research and surveys consistently show that the most common time to start maternity leave is around 2-4 weeks before the due date (36-38 weeks of pregnancy). This balances preparation time with maximising post-birth leave.

Many women use a strategy like this:

1.Take annual leave from week 36 to 38 (paid at full salary)

2.Start official maternity leave at week 38

3.This gives them time to rest without reducing their post-birth leave

The Annual Leave Strategy

One of the smartest approaches is using annual leave before maternity leave. Because you continue to accrue holiday during maternity leave, you can use current-year leave before your maternity leave starts:

•Annual leave is paid at full salary (not SMP rates)

•It delays your SMP start date

•You get rest and preparation time without shortening your maternity leave

How Timing Affects Your Pay

Your maternity leave start date directly affects when your SMP payments begin and end:

As you can see, starting 7 weeks earlier means your paid SMP period ends 7 weeks sooner. Use our Maternity Pay Calculator to see how this affects your total pay.

Factors to Consider

Your Health

Your body should be the primary factor. If you're experiencing:

•Severe fatigue or pregnancy-related complications

•Pelvic girdle pain or mobility issues

•High blood pressure or pre-eclampsia risk

•Mental health concerns

Then starting earlier is sensible. Your midwife or GP can advise on this.

Your Job Type

•Office/desk work: Easier to continue later in pregnancy

•Physical work: Standing, lifting, or manual work becomes harder — consider starting earlier

•Long commute: Commuting in late pregnancy is exhausting and risky

•High-stress role: Stress affects both you and your baby

Financial Considerations

Starting earlier means more weeks at SMP rates and fewer weeks at your normal salary. Calculate the financial impact:

•Maternity Pay Calculator — see your SMP breakdown

•Take-Home Pay Calculator — after-tax figures

•Financial planning guide — budgeting tips

Childcare for Older Children

If you have older children, starting maternity leave before the birth gives you quality time with them before the new baby arrives.

What If Your Plans Change?

You can change your maternity leave start date by giving your employer at least 28 days' notice. If your baby arrives before your planned start date, your leave begins automatically the next day.

Tips for the Final Weeks at Work

If you're planning to work until close to your due date:

1.Prepare a detailed handover document

2.Brief colleagues on your responsibilities

3.Set up out-of-office messages

4.Keep your hospital bag packed and ready

5.Ensure your employer has emergency contact details

6.Plan your commute route for quick exits if needed

Plan Your Dates Now

•Maternity Leave Planner — calculate all your key dates

•Calculate your SMP — see your week-by-week pay

•Your maternity leave rights — what you're entitled to

•Maternity leave letter template — notify your employer