advice needed maternity/off sick

[Jemima1988]

Bit of back story

I'm 36 weeks pregnant not had the best pregnancy been in and out if hospital ALOT

I work on average 65-70 hours a week in a very stressful and active job for a company who are not sympathetic in the slightest

I am planning on starting my maternity on the 15th of sept (in just over a week) at the minute I'm off sick with a water infection which has knocked me 4 6 but recovering well in all honesty I could go into work tomorrow but the work drains me and I get so tired and run down. My mum keeps telling me not 2 go back but it's not that easy u have 2 give 6 weeks notice 2 change my mat date

My question ...... do you think I can get a sicky note off the doctor for being generally run down by work?

Generally yes - however this might kick in your maternity leave starting sooner (which is kinda something you want anyway!)

Someone will be along later with more information I'm sure but I would cut down the stress now if I were you....baby is more important

if you are off with a pregnancy related illness from week 36 then it can automatically kick start your maternity leave. If you were signed off sick you could go straight from sick leave to maternity leave

If you get a sicknote now it will automatically start your ML. Thats probably a good thing!

I got signed off sick last week as am having major issues with my pelvis and my experience was that GPs seem very happy to sign a heavily pregnant woman off for just about anything! Go and see your GP today and ask them for a fit note to cover you for a week.

If your sickness is maternity related you can legally go onto maternity leave.

I was in a similar position to you, now 38+4 and been officially on mat leave since 36weeks. As op have said most companies will automatically start your mat leave at 36wks if you're off sick. I'd had quite a bit of sick leave throughout due to very low blood pressure which left me dizzy and having fainting fits, I also had a long commute and a stressful job. My employer was a bit more understanding (Government dept so they have to at least pretend to be supportive!) I was keen to go back for a week before starting mat leave which my dp was against and in the end my midwife strongly recommended I finished. I found that my GP was more than happy to give a sick note on the advice of my midwife during any bouts of sickness, at your stage of pregnancy and given your symptoms I would be very surprised if the GP didn't support you and give you what you wanted. At this stage its crucial to look after yourself and put yours/baby's needs first.

If you are signed off work with anything pregnancy-related from week 36 on, your ML will automatically start www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/leave; if this is OK with your planned return to work date then it sounds as though you have had enough - go to your GP and ask to be signed off.
If you're happy with finishing now rather than in a week then this is probably the best option.