Anyone taken early mat leave 29 - 30 weeks?

[Hannabee123]

I had a bit of an awful day yesterday. I went to see doctor as I thought I had an infection. Orange wee, pains when I empty my bladder and so on. The doctor became terrified when I said I hadn't felt much movement for about a day and a half but my placenta is at the front so I don't necessarily feel her move all the time. The doctor tried to listen to baby's heartbeat but couldn't find anything. This caused panic my partner came home from work although I told him not to worry. We were shipped off to hospital where my midwife found the heartbeat beating happily away at a good strong pace.

I told her finally all about how horrendous my work are being. Giving me 15 hour days, getting 4 hours sleep between shifts and not being able to use the toilet for up to 4 hours at a time which means I'm not drinking alot so I don't wee myself.
She gave me some advice about what my employers should be doing like assessing my work and day against how far pregnant I am (nearly 3rd tri) and reducing risks.
She said I have some choices either I can go off sick or adjust my maternity leave so I leave at 29 weeks.

Going off sick wouldn't benefit me really as I get a 3 day no pay period than it's £70 a week which I can not survive on for 10 weeks even with my partner picking up most of the bills.

My issue with early leave is that the money isn't great ok it's better than 70 a week but I don't want to have less time with my baby and the awful money. I don't plan on going back to the horrible company but I'm stuck needing the income from my leave.

There is no HR dept in my work. It's a small family business with a bloke who runs it and a heartless woman dishing out the work. I've already tried sending countless messages and emails regarding reducing my hours and making my work comfortable because I've got horrendous tiredness and hip pains plus the swelling feet. I just can't cope

I guess my other option is turning to the work union I joined and going down 6hat route although I really don't want things to go that far but I can't see any other options.

Anyone have any advice?? Did anyone go off early and not regret It? :(

Hey sorry your going through this, sounds awful. Each company has different rules but I know the trust I worked for if you go off sick 11 weeks before baby is born they can make you take maternity leave starting then so that's something to consider. Try not to make the decision on money as you will always get by and have food on the table. Sorry I can't advise more but I hope it rectifys itself soon ☺️

I might give notice to start leave sooner than expected then :(

I really feel for you OP.

The fact of the matter is you shouldn't HAVE to take your Mat leave early or go sick. The company should have by law carried out a risk assessment for you and adjusted the work if necessary and they have clearly not. I would phone and speak to citizens advice if I were you because this is not right at all.

I'm kind of in the same boat in that my bosses are making my work life hell and I am stressed and anxious to the max but its not a physical job. I'd stop at 29 weeks if I could afford it.

I left at 29 weeks, high risk pregnancy and actually ended up having ds at 32 weeks so was the right thing to do for me. I couldn't have carried on as I was feeling so rotten.

They can't make you take mat leave unless you are off sick for something pregnancy related after 36 weeks.

Get on to your Union, this is what you pay your subs for!

My midwife was worried about my health because I drive massive vehicles for a living and it's for the sake of me and my child. Some days I feel myself slipping off when I'm at the wheel. I've told the employers this but they obviously have no regard for their vehicles, me or baby. I don't feel like I have much of a choice anymore

Definitely speak to your union. Your employer should have carried out a risk assessment and made suitable adjustments to your work (and bring tired is a perfectly reasonable pregnancy symptom that should be included in the risk assessment). As far as I'm aware, if they can't provide you with suitable work they have to put you on leave with full pay (but don't quote me on that, it may just be my work's policy).

This is what your union is for! There are certain legal obligations your work has to fulfil (one of which is a risk assessment in pregnancy, another is reasonable rest periods between shifts) which they appear to be ignoring. There also may be a legal requirement to make reasonable adjustments for you as a pregnant person - I'm not sure but they would know. As a pp said, this is exactly what you pay your subs for.

Il contact the union next week ad I've only just joined this week. In the meantime I've handed in a letter giving notice to change my maternity to leave towards the end of November baby's due December 26th so it will be just over a month

Go on ML early op ! I worked in security and left the earliest I could! Don't regret it for a second! Pregnancy is hard work be kind to yourself you need the time off to prepare your body and mind xxxx

If you can leave even earlier than Nov I would recommend it as I felt so much better and less stressed as soon as I left xx

Like someone else said your company can not force you to take early maternity leave before 4 weeks of your due date...it's terrible that some company's have no care towards protecting pregnant women in the work place. I would seek further advice from ucas 😀

Hi OP, don't have any advice sorry but just wanted to say how sorry I am you are bing out through this, your work just vile!

It's not changed I have 3 in the morning starts and late finishes now :(