THIRD TRIMESTER
MATERNITY LEAVE CHECKLIST In most cases, you can start your maternity leave any time from 11 weeks before your due date. Some women choose to work right up until the bitter end, while others like to have more time to themselves before baby arrives. If along the way you decide you want to change your start date, then you can, as long as you give your employer enough notice. To start your leave sooner, tell your employer at least four weeks before your new start date. To start your leave later, tell your employer at least four weeks before your old start date.
Pregnancy massage Skincare expert Katherine Pye e plains the ene ts of a soothin treat ent
HOW TO FILL YOUR TIME
Cook up a storm in the kitchen Prepare a batch of meals for the freezer: that way, you’ll have plenty of hearty food ready for when you get home from hospital, when cooking will be the last thing on your mind! Pack your hospital bag Aim to pack your bag around the 37-week mark, which may be before or after you start your leave. Once you’ve stopped work, make sure you’re all packed and good to go. Make friends with your new car seat It’s important to know how to correctly fit the car seat in your car – you don’t want to be stuck in the hospital car park working it out. Host a baby shower What better way to kill time than with friends and family, plates of cake and a heap of gifts? Just don’t leave it too close to your due date, as you’re less likely to feel like party planning. Make the most of being two It’s your last chance to be together as a couple, so enjoy this quiet time while you can. Perhaps consider a last-minute babymoon, although keep in mind that you shouldn’t fly after 36 weeks. Depending on how close you are to your due date, don’t travel too far.
TIME TO SHOP:
CAR SEATS
Uppababy Mesa i-Size car seat £199.95, naturalbabyshower.co.uk
Motion 360 i-Size car seat £350, silvercrossbaby.com
Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size car seat £300, oliversbabycare.co.uk
48 | The Ultimate Baby Book 2021
Mercury i-Size car seat with Isofix base £319, icklebubba.com
