Waiting for maternity entitlement ...

[user1465770502]

DH and I have decided to start TTC in the new year - however if I wait until after march 2nd I will be entitled to OMP which will work out as an extra 6,000 over the mat leave... so we wait????

Do** we wait

(Also I know chances are we wouldn't have fallen in that time - I just worry we could regret not waiting a few weeks and loose out on a big sum of money...)

I think considering your financial options is really sensible and £6k is a lot of money. If you can wait then do it

I would wait. It isn’t long and that’s a lot of money. You could come off any birth control ahead of time so you are ready to go in March. Also start monitoring your period/when you ovulate on an app if you don’t already to increase your chances in March.

I would wait.. that's a lot of money and SMP does not go far believe me!

I’d wait, it’s not that long and the money will really help out in the long run, honestly smp doesn’t cover a lot and then dropping to nothing after that is horrible. It’s very sensible to consider it! Good luck for the new year :)

WAIT! I didn't, thinking it would take ages to get pregnant. Got lucky first try and missed out on OMP by 21 days!!!!!

However, if we'd waited, we wouldn't have got to tell OHs gran I was pregnant as she passed away when I was 6 weeks.

Normally I’d say don’t wait, as TTCing can obviously take ages for some. But that’s a lot of money to lose out on. Wait and enjoy three months of drinking and eating forbidden foods! You can always start charting and getting your body ready for pregnancy so you at least feel you’re doing something.

Ugh I’d love some OMP. I know I’m going to struggle on SMP, but am self employed so will be dipping into savings.

Thank you everyone - I know the right thing to do is wait - it's just so hard now that we feel the time is right! If it was a lot less I'd be inclined to risk it but that will double my maternity pay!

@dingdongdigeridoo same! I also run my own business so no OMP for me, just SMP. Trying to save like hell but we're about to buy a house too!

You could come off any birth control ahead of time so you are ready to go in March. Also start monitoring your period/when you ovulate on an app if you don’t already to increase your chances in March.

This.

Oh yes - I've ordered a basal thermometer - have stopped birth control and have stated folic acid too - any other tips for three months before TTC???

Definitely wait!