Can you ask to be signed off?

[AlmondFrangipani]

Hi Girls,

Long story short...I have Chronic Kidney Disease which I have had all my life. I am under Consultant care and have been advised to expect my baby somewhere between 32-38 weeks but more likely early. Currently I have booked 2 weeks holiday for weeks 30 & 31 of my pregnancy (currently 26 weeks). I don't really want to unnecessarily use my mat leave and wondered if I can ask the Consultant to sign me off from 32 weeks??? Work are geared up for me to go off then anyway (as am I!). I know at 36 weeks I will automatically be on mat leave if I am off sick with a pregnancy related condition but at least I will only use 2 weeks at that point if I am lucky enough to go to 38 weeks which I would have done if I was 'normal'! Thanks!

Agree totally with Mutley here. You should only be signed off with sick leave if you are sick. Otherwise you should take maternity leave. If you aren't able to work because you are too tired or exhausted, then that's completely understandable, but then don't expect to keep getting paid. I am 38 weeks pregnant and still working and am bloody tired but I still come to work and continue to do my job. If I was too tired I would ask to start maternity leave early not simply take sick leave. It's all to do with work ethic in my view. I understand how tiring and difficult pregnancy can be, but is it fair that you should continue to be paid despite not working?

Totally see what you're saying emmy, but the OP has chronic kidney disease, which it sounds like has lead to increased pregnancy complications. I don't think she's just saying she's too tired? If she was, then yes, we're all tired - but you choose when you start your maternity leave. It sounds to me like there may well be a medical condition which could lead to her being signed off (she is going to ask her consultant), rather than her starting maternity leave early, which frankly I think is fair enough.