When to start ML

[kickingking]

I am nearly 25 weeks and have to tell work when I plan to start ML next week. I am struggling to know when to say.

Pregnancy is not entirely straightforward as I have T1 diabetes, which so far hasn't caused any problems (and didn't in my first pregnancy either) However, it does mean I will be booked for elcs at 38 weeks so starting ML at 39 weeks is not an option!

The main issue is that I have mild PGP (under physio) and from past experience, I think I will have a very large bump, be very uncomfortable and possibly not be able to fit in my car by third tri. Am a primary school teacher so not a sedentary job.

On the other hand, I don't want to start ML at 32 weeks and then realise I could have carried on longer, and not have as much time after the baby is here.

I don't really understand what happens if you change your mind about when you start ML - it says you have to give 28 days notice but that seems a lot of notice! What happens if you get signed off sick?

Any advice appreciated.

Hi, I am starting at 33 weeks. I have quite a physical job and also suffer with pgp and sciatica. My pregnancy has also been ok so far but I am high risk of pre eclampsia and don't want to take any chances. It would be lovely to have all the time off afterwards but you also need to concentrate on the before and resting so you and baby are in the best physical shape. I am 30 weeks now and am struggling with these last few weeks despite having 2 weeks off for Christmas so. Think it was the best decision for me. It is up to you though and how long you can afford to take off. If you get signed off or go into labour early the month notice thing goes out of the window, you will need to look at your maternity guidelines to see when they make you take mat leave if you get signed off sick.hope this helps, I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

IIRC if you get signed off sick within 4 weeks of the expected ML start date your employers can choose to start your ML straight away. If it were me I would probably put 36 or 37 weeks as my ML start date knowing that I could start up to 4 weeks earlier if medically necessary.

I am a secondary school teacher, I had bad PGP with DS. I planned to leave at 38 weeks as it was the end of term, and officially start leave the week of my due date. My timetable was reduced at half term (exam leave started so other teachers had lessons freed up) to get me off my feet, I stopped teaching completely at 34 weeks and was told to come and go as I felt I was able, at 36 weeks the deputy head saw me hobbling in to work and came straight over to tell me to go home as she felt cruel making me be there at all. Then the next day I saw a chiropractor and in 2 weeks I was walking normally again .
When this was all happing I resolved that actually, 34 weeks was the time I should have planned to leave, it was an unnecessary strain after that.

If you know you'll deliver at 38 weeks then would it be reasonable to aim for 36 weeks so that you have a couple of weeks to sort yourself out? Consider if you have any paid leave (holiday entitlement or TOIL) which could mean that you're actually working till say 36 weeks but on full pay and not on ML till later.
Much also depends on how flexible or understanding your boss is. It is true that technically they require 28 days notice if you chose to go earlier than anticipated and they can star your ML if you're off sick, but they don't have to do that. If they're nice they could just let you go on ML without insisting on the full notice period for example.
Good luck whatever you decide!

Thanks everyone.

I am going to ring personel on Monday and check out what happens if I get signed off.

With my son, I started at 34 weeks but took 2 weeks leave before that. In hindsight, I wish I had started ML at 36 and taken two weeks leave before - 34 weeks was as long as I could have gone.

Taking leave or TOIL not an option now I am teaching, we only get the school holidays and nothing else. The end of term would take me to 36w+4 but going by last time, I will be sofa stranded by then!

If you are signed off (or otherwise absent!) for a pregnancy related reason 4 weeks before your EDD then your workplace will likely make you start your ML then. I'm working til 36w (2 weeks left eeeeeeep!) and then I have 2 weeks' leave before ML proper starts. Why not put down that you want to start ML at 36+4 and see how you go - if you feel rotten earlier get your GP to sign you off, and that way you don't have to be at work and your employer will start your ML at 36 weeks anyway. I don't see how your employer can require 28 days' notice of sickness!

Have you told them that you are due to have ELCS at 38 weeks? Even if you have, as far as I know your EDD is the date it says on your notes, so I would imagine it's 40 weeks, and so the automatic ML starting if you're off sick will still start at 36 weeks. If you're not signed off then you will start ML at the end of term, 4 days later, and your ML will start on the day you have your ELCS. I hope that makes sense - I have severe cotton wool brain today.

Anyway, if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you the correct advice!

HTH and best of luck!

I'm going off (using holiday) at 35 weeks. Am now 30+2 and starting to feel knackered and completely disengaged from work so think I've been sensible to arrange to start ML at what felt like a fairly early date a few months ago!

I wanted to work until 38 weeks and then take 2 weeks AL but I will now have to shift it back a week so that my annual leave finishes at the beginning of the week of my due date ( all very confusing!) I am also prepared to be flexible and stop earlier if I need to. I run an all day preschool so am quite active!