Pregnant when on maternity leave...Where do i stand?

[Elmo311]

Hello all!
So I'm 20weeks pregnant, with a 7month old. I haven't told my workplace yet, this is partly because since i went on maternity leave the owner has sold the company. (I'm a veterinary nurse)
I don't have to go back until February, but I'll be 7months pregnant by then! I have read that i can claim £400/month from the government but it says i would need to get a Matb form and have my work process this for me? Can i do that even though i won't be going back?
I'm already feeling a lot of guilt, and i am dreading telling them as i hate letting people down! But this is my situation....just wondering if anyone can advise me as I'm really not sure what i should be doing?

Thank you, and please don't be mean!

[PotteringAlong]

You need to give your employer your MAT1b 21 days before you go off, so I assume you need to pick a date to end this maternity leave and start the next and tell them at least 3 weeks before that happens.

[PotteringAlong]

I’ve just realised you’re due back in Feb. Can you not go back for 2 months?

[AvoidingMarking]

Look on maternity action. I think you need to tell them soon.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnancy-during-maternity-leave/

[PetuliaBlavatsky]

I went back to work 6 months pregnant, and finished again 6 weeks later for another maternity leave. Yes I'm sure it was a pain in the arse for work, but it worked out fine. I did tell them ASAP though as I thought that was the least I could do. While you are on maternity leave, you are counted as if you are employed, so you are as entitled to another maternity leave as you were the first time.

[Cherries101]

Could you tell your employer to explore options? As a manager I’d be really pissed off if one of my employees returned from mat leave already ready to take the next one without even calling me about it first. There are a lot of options open for you. Some bosses (me included) will even authorise payment of mat leave beyond company policy if given enough notice.

[Elmo311]

Thanks for all the replies so far!
I've waited this long because of all the changes at work, pretty much all the staff i knew have moved on, and the manager i was friends with has left too so i do not know who exactly to speak to as they have sold the company!
I was also told this pregnancy is high risk, so i didn't want to say anything due to that aswell. Once i have my 20week scan today i will feel more condident telling work.

The other problem is we do not have anyone nearby to look after our son, if i put him into nursery full time it will be £1600/month which is my wages. I suppose i could do it until April, but at 7months pregnant my job is very demanding physically (restraining animals etc) i did struggle last time and left work a month early, using my holiday.
Sorry to ramble!

I supose i could go back earlier and finish earlier but would that mess up this maternity leave pay?

Thank you again! Really like everyone on Mumsnet! So helpful!

[Alfie190]

You need to tell them within the next five weeks or so, i.e 15 weeks before your due date. In the interests of good relations, I would do it sooner so they have longer to think about other arrangements.