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I haven't personally but a coworker did before me and our boss was very understanding, he was happy she had given him plenty of notice to train someone before leaving. There were no hard feelings.

I actually had to tell him over the phone. He was shocked and really didn't say much. It wasn't how I wanted to resign but LO had health issues which prevented me from doing it in person.

As a small company owner, we would like to just be told, as soon as possible, if someone is leaving. The sooner the better. We wouldn't be upset with any reason someone decides to leave, we'd just like to know so we can sort out a replacement.

Your boss will probably be stressed out that everyone is leaving lol, but if he is a good boss, he should be understanding and accommodating.

Our case may not be helpful because we were moving across the country. Telling them about the pregnancy and the move all at once was a lot but they were happy for us and we did give notice. I wouldn't take leave though unless you plan to go back for at least enough time to train someone new.

I waited until my baby was born, but it wasn't to SAH, I accepted a new job... So it was like any job change. Not a huge deal. I would have told them sooner, but I did not know about my new job timeline so I kept quiet. I came back to fulfill all remaining obligations--- which amounted to a couple of shifts.

As a boss, I'd appreciate being told as soon as you know, especially if it's a small work environment. It takes time to find replacements and train them. It's best to be honest and keep a good relationship with your boss, even if you're planning to stay home, in case you ever want to go back or use him/her as a reference in the future.

I told my boss that I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but they should start to think about the possibility of me not coming back. My situation is different because I got ZERO paid maternity leave. So for me to say I was taking the 3 months and then would decide was not viewed negatively. Actually, since I was unpaid anyway I also took off 2 months before my due date. (Good thing I did because I delivered 3 weeks early and it gave me some nice prep time).
But anyway, I told them at the end of May that I was leaving August 1st and may not return.
They appreciated the 2 months notice and that I was honest about not coming back. We agreed that I couldn't depend on them holding a position for 5 months and they couldn't depend on me coming back after 5 months. We just agreed to keep in touch every 3 weeks or so to touch base on both sides.
In the end, I wanted to go back but I was considered to have quit, so I couldn't just waltz back in. They wanted me back and I wanted to be back, but red tape kept that from happening. I'm now 6 months PP and I wish I had agreed to just go back at 3 months and then make a decision. I still wouldn't have felt guilt if I quit after because it's not like I got a paid mat leave. You know what they say about hindsight...

I didn't decide completely until my maternity leave was over (but I went back full time). Either way, I wanted to make sure the birth and her first few months were healthy before telling my job anything other than I'd be back.

I told my boss on week 8 of my 12 week leave. I told them it was a tough decision but that this was what was best for our family at this time. I told her that I absolutely loved my job and would love to come back someday if there were opportunities (the truth). She said she understood, it was a good conversation. We went to lunch a few months ago as to keep in touch. I'll probably try to speak to her every so often to keep doors open!

@Mrs.KMM: Duh, sorry! To answer what your main question, I tend to be an over-explainer. So maybe I said more than necessary, but I told my bosses that I had pictured myself as a SAHM for many years, but now that I have a career that I enjoy, I wasn't sure if that was still the case and the only way for me to know was to spend some time at home once he arrived. And I told them I didn't like the idea of having a deadline to return to work, I wanted to return when I was ready. Therefore I was resigning. (Then we agreed on everything I stated in my original post above).

I am seriously thinking about whether I intend to return to my job. I have to give 4 weeks notice, and I can not give notice while on any kind of leave.

I mean, really I could just not go back, but they could (and I think would) make me repay all benefits dating back to an appropriate notice period.

I get my health insurance through my partner. And state law requires that my earned vacation leave be paid out to me even if I just walk off the job with no notice. But, I'd have to pay back all of my sick leave. I've saved up about 8 weeks over the years, so, that's a lot.

If I do decide to leave, it won't be until after I go back. I'll probably work for a couple full weeks before making any final decisions.

@Mrs.KMM: Normally, I'm really against people resigning before they have a baby for the reasons others have listed (maternity benefit payout, health insurance coverage, being 100% sure you want to SAH, security of DH's job/what would happen if he lost his job, etc).

But it sounds like you aren't paid any maternity benefits and your insurance coverage is although through your spouse. As long as you're in a good financial position and 150% sure you do not want to return to work, then give advanced notice to give your employer enough time to find a replacement.