MAT Leave - Can I leave early?

[GlitterSparkles17]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, due to go on MAT leave in 4 weeks time, the week before im due, but im knackered!

Its not the actual job itself that's knackering its the commute to work, I take my kids to school then walk to work from there which takes 15-20 mins, which non pregnant me has no problem with but 36 week pregnant me is like a sweaty mess when she gets to work.

I get really tired in the afternoons, my back & pelvis hurt & I feel really emotional.

My DH thinks I should try leave work earlier and relax at home for a few weeks before the baby comes, but its all already arranged, they haven't got cover for me yet, I feel like I'd be letting my team down if I left earlier as were really busy right now. Plus I don't even know if I CAN leave earlier even if I asked.

Anyone been in this situation before?

Normally need 28 days notice. Alternatively you could get signed off by a gp. If it's pregnancy related then your employer can then start your maternity leave/ pay at 36 weeks

You can leave earlier, you don't need to give them 28 days notice. I've done if both times - been optimistic and planned to work until 38 weeks, both times left by 35.

Technically you need to give them 28 days notice, however, I would talk to your employer and see what they say.

Maybe you could take annual leave instead of maternity leave for a few weeks x

I don't have any annual leave left to take unfortunately as its been used to cover this years school holidays for the kids.

I guess I just have to talk to my boss and see what they say. I just really hate letting people down and don't want to piss them off.

I did this. Walked into school yesterday after the summer holidays and thought 'nope, I can't do it' so asked if I could start maternity leave from today (I'm 35 weeks also) they were absolutely fine with it.

If u went off sick within four weeks of due date it can trigger your mat leave early. So do that x

I went back to work friday after thr summer hols and emailed them that night saying please can i finish fri 8th (at 36.5 weeks) and they said that was fine so just speak to them, it depends on your boss and your job and if the cover is starting a certain date etc. Hopefully they will be understanding!

Would working from home, even part of the week, be an option?

They've had lots of notice and not found a replacement yet (or have they not tried?). It's pretty common for people to need to start maternity leave early, they'd cope if you went into labour early!
Talk to them, if there's any issues, going off sick will start your maternity early

Thanks all, they've advertised for a temp for while I'm off but not done interviews yet as it was a struggle for my boss to get permission for a temp, they've only just got the permission really a couple of weeks ago so getting the temp in as soon as possible, can't see them starting in the next 4 weeks though as they may have to give notice at their current job etc.

I've decided to talk to my boss and explain how I'm feeling, she's an approachable person so hopefully will be ok with it it's just we're so busy ATM and it's not the kind of job where someone else could just do my work easily it would put stress on other people so this is why I was a bit reluctant.

Working from home isn't an option unfortunately