Told you have a higher chance of a prem baby - when do you decided to go on Mat leave?

[AlmondFrangipani]

Hi,

Due to a pre-existing kidney condition I have been told by my consultant that my baby is more likely to be premature. To add to this all of my siblings and I were early. Work are starting to discuss maternity cover and whilst I appreciate I dont have to make a decision yet I wondered what you would do in this circumstance? I dont want to take too much time off before the baby comes and use it up sitting around waiting but equally I would like some time off beforehand to 'prepare/rest'! When would you go off?

Hello there, congratulations on your pregnancy & I hope you have a long & boring pregnancy!

I'm in the same situation - in my 1st pregnancy I developed severe PE & required delivery at 29 weeks - it was a low risk pregnancy & I had no symptoms, so it was a bit of a shock, to say the least. I had planned to work until 36 weeks.

This time, I'm finishing at 33 weeks & will start mat leave then, if I make it that far. If I go off sick, so be it. It's not a situation I have any control over & what will be, will be. HR have been understanding, accepting I can only pick a date & may not be able to keep it. If I have the baby early, my maternity leave will start the day after (as it did the last time).

Just take care of yourself, take it easy & try to use up annual leave before mat leave, if you can

Good luck

A different situation but twins are expected early and mine were born at 34 weeks. I finished work at 28 weeks with 2 weeks leave tagged on the end so finished at officially 30 weeks. I am glad I did, I needed the rest.

Good luck OP :)