Taking maternity leave early

[Adayinthelife]

I'm 28 weeks pregnant, and I'm thinking of taking my maternity leave early.

I have been signed off since end of Feb as I've been very unwell. I tried to go back to work but couldn't manage the full day. I've now found out today that I'm being moved onto SSP as of today, and I honestly don't know how we're going to manage. For all of these reasons, I'm thinking of taking ML early.

The only problem is, I only recieved my maternity pack from work this week, and it states you need to give 28 days notice of starting maternity leave, meaning I couldn't take it until the end of June. I don't think I can manage working until then, so I'm thinking of asking if they'll let me take it early without the 28 days notice, given the huge delay in them sending me the paperwork through. I work for the local authority though, so I doubt it, but thinking it's maybe worth a try.

Will I regret taking it early though, and then having to leave my baby earlier than I anticipated to go back to work?

As you say the earlier you leave the earlier you need to go back- could you get signed off for another few weeks and try a staggered return- a few afternoons/mornings until sickness subsides or is this sickness likely to stay till the birth xx

I could get signed off, but we can't survive off SSP. I've discovered we'll be £400 short at the end of this month, so literally don't know how we'll pay bills, rent etc.

I asked about a phased return, but I'd only get paid for the hours I do so I won't really be any better off. I am having hospital treatment on Tuesday, but no one knows if it'll be a one off thing that will make me feel a billion times better, or if I'll need several sessions and it'll then take many weeks to feel the benefits. I spoke to my midwife about it yesterday and she said she honestly doesn't know how I'll feel as everyone is different.

Do you have any holiday left you could take?

No, I work in a school so we don't accrue any annual leave or anything, otherwise that would have been a perfect solution!

If you get a FIT note from the docs stated you are only capable of reduced hours then that may make a difference

My work were going to make me take the remaining hours off as either annual leave or unpaid unless I got a doctor to confirm I could only do four hours a day. I'm still getting paid my normal wage now even though im only doing four hours a day

HR said the hours I don't do would be unpaid :(

So did my HR, Unless I had a fit note from the docs

If you've been signed off for a while your employer might well waive the notice period as it's the same difference to them. Check maternity action's website but I'm pretty sure you can choose to go from 29 weeks anyway and if you've given the correct notice of MAT B1 form on time and it's them stalling on paperwork perhaps you could go then? Give mat action a call and see what they advise
I was told by everyone I'd regret going early and I had my baby prematurely whilst at work (not literally but I hadn't left) and I regret not listening to my body more and struggling on. Do what's best for you and baby, good luck

No, they said even with a Drs note. That's good your work did it for you though :)
I've spoken to maternity action and to the business manager at work and he said he's happy to authorise it for whenever, just there may be a delay with payments etc.

I might ask to take it from beginning of June (as I'm not being paid for May anyway even if I do go back), so I'll be 31 weeks then, which wouldn't seem as bad.

Just need to figure out how to survive on £350 throughout June! Thanks for your help everyone :)