WWYD? Maternity Leave

[MissObsessed]

Hi all, just after a bit of advice really (and some perspective!) I'm currently 35+4 weeks and I'm a teacher. The original plan was for me to work until half term (38 weeks) and start maternity leave on the first day back, making me 39 weeks.

This was all fine until I developed SPD and have been signed off work for the past week (and still have a week to go on my sick note) I now face being forced to start my maternity leave on Monday (36 weeks.)

My SPD has been quite bad, to the point where I have vomited with the pain, but seems much more manageable at home where I can take rests and find more comfortable positions. I can't drive my car at the moment because it is too painful and have been referred for Physio.

My dilemma is - do I attempt to go back to work on Monday and try to see the next 10 working days out (and benefit from 3 weeks extra 'pay') or admit defeat and stay off work (and 'waste' 3 weeks maternity) My DH works and we currently have £1400 savings in the bank for when I'm on maternity leave. I was planning on going back to work around June but if I stay off now I might need to go back in May.

Writing it down like that makes it seem obvious to me but I feel sad about wasting some of my leave, especially when I would only be able to take around 6 months off anyway.

Thank you so much if you've managed to read to the end - didn't expect it to be that long!!

Personally, if I had spd and was vomiting with the pain, I'd take the maternity leave now. They may enforce it anyway if it's pregnancy related absence, so better to go willingly and say goodbye etc. You could maybe do kit days at the other end to bring in some money but extend your leave?

Thank for your reply. Luckily I haven't vomited with the pain since being signed off but obviously that's because I've been taking it easy. Totally forgot about kit days, if I did the odd day of supply once the baby is here does that count as a kit day? Or is that breaking my maternity leave?

It's not a waste if you're not well OP.
I had similar thinking to you and was pressured to work until due date which didn't happen as I had DS very early.
Short version - put your and your baby's health first. I hope all goes well

Doing supply would end your maternity pay. You can do 10 kit days though, that's what I'm doing to tick me over until I go back in December (baby will be 8 months by the time I go back).

Op I had to admit defeat with SPD and from the sounds of things mine wasn't as severe. I think if you can then start mat leave sooner then do so.

Yes, should have explained- kit days are paid but are part of maternity- agree the rate before hand and you also shouldn't need to be fully teaching (eg you might go on and do reading assessments or help with the Christmas play, not necessarily teach. Can also be teacher training days- one of my friends agreed to go in for all training days during her mat leave) but supply would be 'working'

I'd try a day and see how you get on. If it's too much start your leave. If not, try another day. Then another. Until you either think 'sod this!' Or get to half term.

I'd try a day aswell I had fairly bad spd and managed a day at a time but although I work with kids I was able to sit down or sit on a birth ball when I wanted to for the most part. I'm self employed though so that's the main reason why I stayed but if I was in lots of pain and could start leave then I would x

A day at a time was the road I was thinking of going down. If I've still got a week to run on my sick note can I just turn up on Monday? Or do I need to get in touch with someone over the weekend? No idea how this sort of thing works

If you are still signed off under a note they could escort you off site if you go in Monday without a contrary fit note, it's an insurance thing. They can also start your mat leave at 36w if you are signed off that day for pregnancy related illness whether you agree or not. Both depend on your school and how SLT operate

You can't do supply on maternity, nor can you teach on a KIT day. Think about the date you want to return to maximise pay - I'm guessing day before Easter hols?

So basically your choice is either hope SLT aren't dicks and you can go back in a week; or see a doctor before 36+0 to get signed back to work.

A doctor can advise you to stay off work, but as an adult you decide whether to attend or not.

I had to start my maternity leave early due to high blood pressure which meant I was back when ds1 was 14 weeks old. It was hard but as the midwife said what's more important your baby or your job.