Would I be unreasonable to start maternity leave as early as possible?

[lookingforsupport1]

I'm pregnant with my 2nd DC and I'm really struggling, in a mental health way.

It's been a difficult pregnancy physically so far and we've had a lot of stress in regards to money, cars and jobs in the last couple months.

I work part time in retail and I'm constantly on my feet, working somewhere short staffed and constantly busy. I feel so worn down that I end up in tears regularly and have no one to talk to.

I probably won't qualify for maternity pay due to low wages but should get maternity allowance.

AIBU to leave work as soon as possible? I can leave 11 weeks before baby is due. It just feels incredibly selfish as that will take time away from my new baby. But I'm not sure if I can cope working much longer.

For context I have suffered with mental health issues since my early teens. Last year I hit rock bottom and felt suicidal and this pregnancy was a shining light. The anxiety of going to work is difficult but I have coped with worse. Not sure if I should just suck it up and stop being a selfish cow?

Apologies for long post, did not want to drip feed.

Only you know what is right for you, if you can manage longer, go for it, but if not then you've answered your own question.
Could you get signed off for a few weeks for non pregnancy related illness prior to starting ML?

Can you take sick leave?

Yanbu get signed off x

Sick leave could be better although it might not last long (I think your employer can invoke ML after a certain amount of sick leave). You'd certainly be within your rights and it will protect you, DC1 and the baby.

Please talk to your midwife about it. She will have good ideas.

Yanbu. You sound under enormous pressure and I would be concerned about your mh now leading to pnd.

Yes it would be lovely to have the time with the baby but I think you should be concentrating on quality over quantity. Plus it would give you a little time for dc1 I presume?

I don't think I'd qualify for sick pay due to low wages/reduced hours. My DP may have lost his job so I can't afford not to have income - no sick pay where I work.

Thank you all. DC1 is at school but she hates me working, even though I'm only away from her 1 day fortnight.. she's at school or with EXH the rest of working hours anyway.

YANBU if you need to you need to. I finished at around 30 weeks the first time.

I agree quality over quantity of time with new baby. Congratulations on the impending new arrival!

YANBU. Start your maternity leave as soon as you can and give yourself some time and rest before baby arrives.

You're not selfish, you need to look after yourself and being knackered or mentally fragile by the time you deliver is is no one's best interests. If you can get sick leave I would absolutely consider that as your first option - you could be signed off at any point and your maternity leave won't be automatically triggered until 36 weeks so you won't lose out on your post birth time so much. Go and speak with your GP or midwife asap - explain your anxiety and how you're feeling, it'll be fine, they will want to help

This is info about statutory sick pay and mat pay - will give you an idea of whether you would qualify www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/sickness-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/

Thank you. I will try calculator tomorrow, exhausted at the moment

Hi, I have had mental health struggles and due to this I chose to finish work early to protect my mental health I was exhausted and needed to stay well (which I did thankfully) I planned to finish at 34 weeks think it was 32 weeks when I eventually went off. Hope you have the support of your midwife

Can you take some sick leave either paid or unpaid first? That way you won't eat into your Mat leave too much.

Either way, you should focus on you and what's best for you at the moment x