Returning from maternity leave pregnant!

[bristols]

I will be 15 weeks pregnant when I go back to work from my maternity leave. Does anyone know how that will affect my next lot of maternity leave (if at all)?

Also, I need to meet with my manager in the next couple of weeks to discuss hours etc. When should I tell her? Do you think I should tell her after my 12 week scan, or when I actually go back to work. I know that legally I don't have to say anything until much later on but I don't want to make things difficult for her. Or for me.

[elkiedee]

Is your maternity leave statutory or based on your employer's scheme? I know my employer has a better than stat min scheme and women have to return for at least 6 months though this can be for less than ft hours in order not to have to repay the maternity money they've just had.

Before you discuss with your manager, can you check your employer's scheme some other way? Are you a union member, as a rep might be able to help you check your position in confidence before you approach your manager?

[bristols]

Good idea. Am on employers mat leave at the mo - 6 months unpaid after the 6 months paid bit. Will check out work's website as you can get onto most HR stuff from there, I think.

[howdoo]

I did this - I was 4 months pg when I went back after a year's maternity leave. I told my boss when I was only 8 wks pg (but she is a mate as well). I was back for 5 months, then went off again, got full maternity pay again, and then resigned. I'd worked really hard for the company for a decade so didn't feel bad about it. You do need to read your company's employment handbook to see what your rights are. Mine didn't specifically mention that you couldn't do this, so I assumed (correctly) that I'd get the maternity pay again. Also, if I had wanted to, I could have had a year off again the second time - that did surprise me! Plus I didn't have to pay any of it back when I resigned.

[lou031205]

You are entitled to the full year and stat Mat Pay, because you are still employed when off on mat leave. Mat pay will be based on the wages from when you are 17 weeks to 25 weeks pregnant, so you will be ok there, too.

[TigerFeetFormerlyCheesyFeet]

Same thing happened to a former colleague of mine, her eldest dc's were born 11 months apart and she was only back at work for a couple of months between them. She was still paid SMP but the company we worked for didn't offer enhanced maternity pay so I'm not sure how that would work. HR/ Employees handbook would be a good place to start.

[AnnieAlcoholLeft]

As my boss said to me, 'you can have babies whenever you want', as they can't discriminate against you for doing so.
As lou said, you are entitled to the full maternity leave and pay again.
I too was pg when I came back off 10 months mat leave, and left again after 5 months for my next one. Back again now after 6 months mat leave.
They still want me here, have extended my contract, and I still just MN all day!

Only tell your manager if you are ready to.
Good luck!

[bristols]

Thanks for that. Makes me feel much happier about the whole thing. I work for the NHS so I think I'll be entitled to it all. They're pretty good in that respect. Am seeing my manager on Monday to discuss things but I'm not going to mention anything about the pregnancy until after the first scan. She's going to have kittens!!

[MissM]

I'm going back to work on Tuesday, in my 18th week of pregnancy. I've been on maternity leave just over a year. I was dreading telling my manager but luckily he laughed - three women in his team are going or have gone on leave this year. HR were completely fine about it - you're still an employee and are entitled to all your rights. It's not ideal (I felt awful, like I was being unprofessional), but Annie's boss sounds like a sensible person with that comment. S/he's right! I told my manager after the 12 week scan if that's any help.

[Judy1234]

I think it's best to say late on. I usually waited until about 4 or 5 months but I was lucky it didn't show until then. it will be fine and you may not want as long off this time having seen how dull it can be at home with small children and with two mouths to feed.

[bristols]

Xenia - I will have to say something sooner than that due to the nature of my job. For the record, I have loved being at home with DS for the past year and have not found it dull at all. I intend to have another year off with the next baby.


MissM - thanks for the info.

[Coriander73]

Xenia, I think you just want to come on MN & wind people up. You may have found it dull but how highly insensitive to those who love being at home & look fw to it again in the future...

[ScottishMummy]

xenia!!! - have you forgotten your manners i really think your opening post to Bristols should be congratulations and i hope things work out for you

of course your contribution is as valued as any one else, but do try be more empathic. your experience is of course a valid narrative but so is bristols

bristols congratulations on your pregnancy hope you are well

my understanding is that each maternity leave is a stand alone period and ad u were still employed on mat leave you continue to maintain continuous service and retain eligibility to entitlements

[Jenkeywoo]

I went back to work pregnant after a years maternity leave - intended to wait a while to tell them but was caught by the deputy head (I'm a teacher) running out of a lesson to be sick! she was really concerned about me being ill so I had to 'fess up! I was entitled to full maternity leave when I got to - not sure if it's the general rule or just a teacher thing. Oh, and contrary to a certain person, I loved maternity leave, found my two girls needed me even more then one and did not return from maternity leave. Good luck wih it all, I'm sure some of my colleagues thought it was a bit strange but who cares, it's what right for your family.

[Judy1234]

Congratulations definitely. I just meant having sample how boring and tediuos maternity leave is lots of women want to cut it short the second time work being a huge relief but I appreciate not everyone is the same.

[mumof4aceboys]

I stopped work 7 years ago to have DS1. I have never looked back. This is a time you can never regain. People will regret going back to work but will never (in my opinion) regret staying at home to care for the family. The key is to make it your job and enjoy it. Try doing things with your child then you wont be 'bored'. Bet your child cant wait for you to go back to work if you resent them in the way to sound like you do Xenia.

Bristols - do what you feel is best for your family.

[Judy1234]

Each to their own. Probably as many who regret not going back to work as who wish they'd stayed home more but let us not assume that staying home equals happy mother and child and going back to work unhappy mother and child. It's a largely neutral decision. Also most people can afford to live on £112 a week maternity pay after week 7.

[Riss70]

Not sure but I took two years straight Maternity Leave (I am in Australia though) and just let them know when DD was 8 months that I was not returning in 4months but rather taking a further 12 from my expected return date

[Riss70]

Oh yes and congrats - but be prepared as it can be signfigantly challenging with little ones very close in age

[MamaMaiasaura]

bristols, are you a nurse? I finsihed a contract with local trust (ward was closing) but due to nature of wokr told them pretty much as soon as I knew was pregnant. Am 12 weeks now.

Many congratulations, how far along are you? EDD?

[MamaMaiasaura]

Riss my sister had 3 girls under 3, was very hectic, but fun too. Just wait till the teenage years tho .

[Riss70]

thanks awen!!!!! They are the best of friends, the staunchest of supports and the worst of enemies - oh yeah not to mention partners in crime!! and I love them dearly xx

[bristols]

awen - yes, I'm a nurse. Am 9 weeks now, due on 2nd February.

Riss, I am really quite worried about dealing with two under two years old. I've had lots of support and positive stories from mums on here, though and am feeling much better about it all now. As you said, they will be the best of friends and a great support for each other (I hope!)

Thanks everyone else for your congratulations and good wishes.

[Jenkeywoo]

Two under two is ridiculous at time - think potty training one whilst tiny one is always attached to boob! (why does dd1 wait till dd2 is feeding to do a poo and need me to wipe her...?) but... now they are growing up a bit they are cute together - they play with the same toys and laugh at the same stuff. It is hard work but you can do it.

[RibenaBerry]

Congratulations Bristols.

I just wanted to add something to Howdoo's comment. I don't know what your plans are and whether you definitely plan to return to work. If you don't, or think you might not, do look really carefully at the maternity policy. Some will require you to repay the enhanced maternity pay (not the statutory stuff, that's yours no matter what) if you don't return for a set amount of time after the second maternity leave. Howdoo was lucky if her employer didn't, but many do. It's worth knowing that at the start so that you can budget!

[Jenkeywoo]

Yes I was really lucky as my I should have paid back nearly £3000 in maternity leave but my school let me off. In some cases you can ask to have the extra maternity pay paid right at the end so if you do decide not to go back you just don't take it. We were really pleased that my work didn't make me pay but had the money untouched in a savings account just incase. If you do have to pay back money they can sometimes be quite helpful and let you pay it in installments.