Maternity Leave

So after weeks of reading the maternity policy at work I think I finally know what I am entitled to. I am not sure whether or not what I am entitled to is generous compared to other people's but I feel that it is not enough time to be off with my new baby.

I intially thought I was entitled to 18 weeks full pay and 6 weeks at 90%, this was wishful thinking I am actually entitled to 18 weeks full pay and I have to start my leave 2 weeks before my due date, so providing the baby arrives on time I will only have 16 weeks with the baby :-( After this I will be entitled to statutory maternity pay which is currently £135.35 per week which means I would only receive around 35% of my normal wage, which considering I am the main wage earner it is not looking likely that I will be able to have anymore time off. This means I will have to go back to work on the 7th February, this makes me sad!

This is an article I remember reading a few months back http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2102517/Women-need-year-recover-childbirth-study-finds.html which ironically was a study done at the institution that I work for! Therefore, I think they should lead the way and give me 12 months off on full pay! I know this would never happen and I also understand that having workers off for maternity leave can stretch an already stretched budget in most workplaces nowadays.

As a first time Mum to be I have no idea how giving birth and looking after another human is going to effect me,  I like to think I take most things in my stride and adapt easily to whatever situation I am given but the fact this new chapter in my life is scaring the shit out of me!

I would at least like another 8 weeks off which would take me until the 4th April which would give me 6 months off, I need to make this happen. I have figured that if I keep my budget strict I can save from my wages whilst on maternity, I am currently putting £100 a month away for the baby and there is no reason I can't continue to do this, I should also have some money left from what I have saved so far. I will also not be driving to work which is currently a 30 mile round trip so my petrol costs should go down. Jonathan and me will not be going out as much for meals, cinema or for drinks so our social life budget will fall as well.

How much time are you taking off? What will you be doing to ensure you can cope when you go onto statutory maternity pay?