I was wonder if anyone with a clear head for calculating due dates/conception dates can help me.
I work for the NHS (7+ years continual service) although at the moment I am on a fixed-term 12 month contract. Myself and my partner would like to start trying for a baby next year and due to the uncertainty of continuing to work within the NHS after this contract ends we would like to try to time conception so I can still receive NHS Maternity pay (I am not naive about how unlikely this is to actually happen but its worth a shot!)
I have read AfC in-depth (!) and as I have the necessary continuing service (and I can satisfy all other contractual commitments relating to maternity leave if I were to conceive) the only other stipulation that I need to fulfil is that "the contract will expire after the 11th week before the expected week of child birth" to ensure that my contract can be extended to cover 52 weeks of maternity leave (as per AfC). Here is where I need advice!
My contract is due to expire on Wednesday September 7th 2016 so presumably I need to be at least 29/40 by this date to qualify? I only have a very small window in which to do this and to still be pregnant (and able to work) before my contract ends (although AfC states Maternity Leave can be started from 29/40 I’m unclear if this will apply in my case due to the fixed term contract).
Can anyone hazard a guess to where my little window of perfect opportunity may be? I’m obviously not asking for my fertility window (although if there are any mind readers out there that can help with this as well then I’ll accept any help that I can get!) – but a contractual window. My (rookie) calculations change everytime I attempt to work it out and I confuse myself further trying to factor in ovulation dates rather than conception. Help!
I hope at least some of that makes sense! Thank you in advance.