Getting pregnant whilst already on mat leave?

[jacko2205]

I want to do this for so many reasons, but wondered if anyone else had got pregnant again whilst alreay on mat leave?

If anyone could share their story it would be great, especially with an emphasis around work, what happened with their role, mat pay, the leave taken? I just can't seem to figure out how it would work? I'm in the UK so would help if there were UK stories so employment law is the same, although very much like hearing all points of view!

Thanks in advance everyone! X

2 of my best friends did this, both accidentally but still. It was fine, you just have to work 3 months between each maternity in order to not have to pay it back

Thanks @anametouse! I think this would depend on the policy no? My current workplace has a policy where you don't pay anything back so don't think this would apply to me?

Well it's not going to endear you to your employer, but people do. A lot depends on when exactly you get pregnant - as a PP says you need to be able to return and work three months usually if you received any enhanced mat pay, otherwise you will have to pay it back. You're legally entitled to the leave for each pregnancy (assuming you go back in between), but not necessarily pay. If you are not earning for the qualifying period between 17-25 weeks pregnant which is used to calculate eligibility for SMP you may not be eligible for SMP in your next maternity leave.

My friend did this just last year. She planned to come back for a few months in between but ended up just doing a few weeks part time (using up first years accrued holidays) then being signed off sick until the second mat leave kicked in.

You still accrue your holidays as normal for both sets of leave. Our workplace offers enhanced pay for the first 20 weeks so if you don't return to work for 3 months you have to repay it. Also I think that the second leave's enhanced pay is calculated on the pay earned before the leave starts so that's why she returned to work for a while in between leaves, to bump it up a bit.

I did and it was absolutely fine. It depends on your contract, I didn't have to work between maternity leave's if I didn't want to and accrued holidays as normal.
It was the best way for me and work were more supportive than I thought. Don't worry so much and do what works for you!

You would still be entitled to annual leave. The mat pay might be a bit rubbish though, they work it out on what you earn between 17-25 weeks pregnant so depends on how quickly you get pregnant. We were trying whilst I was on maternity leave, but I was breastfeeding and periods didn't return until baby was a year. I don't think it can affect your job, your rights are the same and protected