When to go on Maternity

[emmajbxxx]

I am pregnant with my first child and due on 13th May 2014.
I have had a really difficult pregnancy so far, horrendous sickness and backache. Im thinking of going on maternity at the end of Feb? Is this too early? Moving house at beginning of march so thats 2 weeks gone, then i'll have 6 weeks until baby comes?
What do you guys think? I wont be retuning to work after my maternity as my work have not been very supportive throighout my pregnancy and have given me the impression they wont be supportive when i return
x

If you aren't returning to work then the normal advice of work as close to due date as possible to maximise time off with baby after doesn't apply.

So if you can afford it, then I don't think there is any such thing as "too early"

Also i have already told my manager i will be going on Maternity on 31st March, is it too late for me to change now?

You need to give 8 weeks notice I think so you should be fine.

My partner is happy for me to leave earlier as well as he can financially support us

Actually if you want to go 28th Feb you probably need to give written notice today.

and who does this written notice go to? do i email HR department? and what should it say?
Thanks for the help!

Yes email HR,
"I am writing to inform you that I wish to commence my maternity leave on the 3rd of March so my last working day will be the 28th February 2014. Please confirm receipt of this email.

Kind Regards
Emmajbxxx"

Or something along those lines.

Thank you so much casmama
I have emailed my HR department from my personal email.
No reply yet.
I can't wait to leave, I feel nothing but victimised since my pregnancy, all my so called 'friends' at work now complain I'm lazy or not doing anything.
Today I asked a colleague to help me get my lunch out of microwave (it's high up) and nothing. I ended up on a chair with hot food struggling.
Get me out of here!!!!
X

hi emma

remember you also accrue holiday during maternity leave so you could also start your mat leave with a couple of weeks holiday.

sorry your work are being awful. you should make a note of everything & seek legal advice as it sounds like you are being bullied and treated unreasonably.

xxx

Good idea Kitty, sorry you are having such a tough time Emma.

In fact you should take your holiday entitlement for the rest of this year before you finish up.

Well I can take a weeks worth of holiday each month, which is added onto my maternity pay, so that's prob better to do right?
They responded to email and asked for my actual due date, but they seemed to be ok. Manager asked me why I was going earlier but also said she doesn't blame me!