To finish or not to finish...

[Mammyloveswine]

Typing this from hospital bed... been in all day yesterday and overnight as had regular contractions and had started to dilate. I'm currently 36 weeks and 4 days with no 2.

I'm a teacher, and not due to finish until a week.on Friday. That way I still get my full pay for December and won't lose money until Feb pay. However, because I'm off today can school start my maternity leave for me? Contractions have eased off (probably from all the rest! I have a 2 year old at home). Would I be mad to go back tomo, all being well?

I think any sickness at this stage triggers maternity leave as far as I know. What do your maternity guidelines say?

You could try but if your in labour I think your baby will have other plans.
Could you not get signed off sick for this next week or two?
Your may leave may kick in anyway if baby does arrives.

In the meantime if it's just BH or early labour and your well in yourself you could try and go back to work and see how you go.

Good luck whatever you decide x

Generally if you go on sick leave at or after 36 weeks of pregnancy your maternity leave automatically starts. And yes I think you'd be mad to go back when being on your feet had you in early labour!

Also check with your HR but I think as long as it's not pregnancy related they can't start your mat leave.

You could try, but I suspect that you might not make it until next Friday...

Did you tell them you are/we're in labour? They may have booked your cover already! They'd be able to cancel it though. If you're no longer in labour and feel up to it then I'd go back. I'm a teacher and was signed off at 34 weeks, I had planned to go back but at 36 weeks my maternity leave automatically kicked in. I would have had to get a fit note to go back, but I really wasn't fit for work and just lay in bed or sofa or on the loo feeling like crap staring at the ceiling for weeks. I lost out on quite a bit of money but don't regret it now.

This shouldn’t be about the money but a safe outcome for you and the baby. That’s the only important thing.

*were

as long as it's not pregnancy related they can't start your mat leave.

It's going to be a bit hard to argue that contractions and dilation of your cervix aren't pregnancy related.

Spoke to consultant who is happy for me to go in as long as contractions don't start up again. My school are being very accommodating and have said I can go in on a day by day basis. Thanks everyone! I only work mornings so should be manageable!

Lol Queen

Yes dependent on what her employers have been told queens that wasn't clear at the he beginning was it.