Planning to take MAT leave from due date

[SpaceRangerSpace]

Currently 25 weeks. I'm a part time teacher, I work two 6hr days a week. My school are keen for me to be off from half term (which is five weeks before my due date). I'm not keen on this as I was signed off early last pregnancy so my MAT pay kicked in a 4 weeks before my due date, baby was then two weeks late. So I lost six weeks with my DC at the other end, as I couldn't afford to stay off on SAT. I'd rather not repeat that this time and want as much time with new DC as possible.

As I'm only a part timer, do you think it's lunacy to tell them I intend to work up to my due date?

I had a physically very good pregnancy last time (emotionally a wreck though!), however, I'm already getting a sore pelvis and am getting very uncomfortable beneath my bump - neither of which I had at all in the last pregnancy. It's hard to tell if these will improve with my new swimming regimen or simply continue to get worse throughout the pregnancy! My OH thinks I can get signed off before the due date if it turns out I'm really struggling.

Was just wondering what other people's opinions were. Is anyone else giving their due date as their intended end of work date?

Thank you

I'm a full time primary teacher and stopped at nearly 38 weeks. I was so ready by that stage, but I was full time. My little girl was induced at 39+6, and it was nice having a fortnight to switch off from work. I guess it depends on your pregnancy though and how it's going. I was lucky that I had no SPD etc. I just felt really hot and uncomfortable by the end. Are you secondary or primary?

I had my ds at 39+2 so I would not have been able to work till 40 weeks. He wasn’t even officially “early” at that stage so I wouldn’t like to work past 38 wks.

On 2 days a week I’d say it’s possible, but won’t be enjoyable. A lot will depend on your conditions- I’m finishing at 37 weeks but working in a hospital, and there’s no way I’d manage the extra 3 weeks- the heat would finish me off, plus I cover miles every day on the wards. But a colleague did work up to her due date, she had a slightly different role meaning she could sit/stand as suited her and a winter pregnancy so more comfortable temperatures. There’s no harm in putting down your due date, if needs be you can get signed off and maternity leave would kick in at 36 weeks anyway.

I’m a full time teacher and going to 2 weeks before due date (though now booked in for a section which is a week after I start my leave). I'm guessing your school just want to make it convenient for them to cover you. Which I understand but isn’t really very fair. My school have been really accommodating - I’m doing 2 weeks after summer hols and won’t be class based. I’d stick with what you’re want. Maybe suggest that you could do interventions etc after half term?

Totally doable. If you do need to go off earlier, that can be ammended.

The school just want to plan ahead to make sure that they have cover for you, and five weeks before your due date isn't unreasonable, particularly as your EDD presumably falls before the end of term. Many babies come before 40 weeks (anything after 37 weeks is considered 'full term'). If you disappear on them at 38 weeks (which is not unreasonable to suggest), then that could really leave them in the lurch at short notice. I think you need to try and work out a compromise with them - maybe that they appoint your replacement and s/he starts after half-term and you then continue in some other capacity until you go on maternity leave.

@juneau

Compromises are great. But OP is under no obligation to do so if that's not what she wants.

No, she isn't, but surely trying to work with your employer at a time when things are uncertain is better than leaving them in the lurch? Potentially the OP could need to go on maternity leave at half-term anyway. She's only 25 weeks and already experiencing pelvic pain, so by 35 weeks she could easily be signed off.

@Bibijayne I entirely agree. OP, I'm a schoolteacher too and in the same boat as @birdy. PLEASE don't feel guilty about 'leaving them in the lurch'. Put yourself first. Schools cope. Like any other employer, the HR department will be well aware of the possibility of you going off early. Millions of women across the UK in employment have babies and the rules are there to protect you- you are perfectly entitled to plan to work to your due date, and go off earlier if you need. I have said I'll work up until 38 weeks. But if I can't manage that, my school know that this might happen and if they have any common sense they'll have a plan in place. Obviously like any employer they want what's easiest for them but that's only to be expected. My school have decided to hire someone from 35/6 weeks to cover me in case I end up going off earlier so I'll just be helping out for a fortnight. Not all schools will do that but it's certainly not YOUR problem how they decide to deal with it - and at the end of the day, women having babies is a very normal and common thing and you should never be made to feel guilty when you are just asking for what you are completely entitled to!

Hi Teacher here too, full time, planning to work until 20th sept, due 24th. My replacement will be in post from 1st September. It’s schools job to make reasonable adjustments, not you. I’ve been in over the summer making sure my replacement is able to carry out my job with ease. They really did not want me to come back after the 6 weeks, deputy head did as she has the same outlook at me, however this would have meant leaving at 30 weeks and wasting up to 13 weeks of my mat pay. Not a chance in hell. I may go back in 3 weeks and think ‘I can’t do this for another 14 working days’ but I’ll give it a go

I'm working to 39 weeks, this is DC3 and I work 4 days a week but at a mostly desk based job, being at work with air con and tea made for me is easier than school runs and I get really bored at home! This is my last DC and I want as much time off once baby is here as I can.
DC1 was born at 39+2 and DC2 at 39+5. Ideally DC3 will come the day I finish, but babies make their own minds up!

I have four kids and each time I've worked up until the end. I found it really difficult and each time I've sworn that the next time I'll stop earlier, but then the next time comes around and I kid myself that it'll be fine.

I don't really have any advice other than it's doable but not easy!

I had a friend who was a teacher who actually worked until after her due date because it was the last few days of term and she didn’t want to leave earlier! I don’t know how she managed but she did!

I’m a community midwife and couldn’t hack it after 36 weeks (although took two weeks annual leave and didn’t start mat leave until 38) as I was trudging around with heavy scales and stuff in my non-air conditioned car and although I was 100% physically well, I was absolutely exhausted.

They can’t force you to go off at 35 weeks. Why not say you’re leaving at 40 weeks for the time being and see how things go? Presumably they’ll get your replacement in from after half term anyway so it won’t make much of a difference if you decide to leave a bit early.

I'm pretty sure you don't need to start Mat leave until your due date if that's what you chose. I'm sure if you have any issues in your pregnancy you can me signed off sick and wouldn't need to use your MAT leave. I know 2 women who have had to be off die to sciatica at all different stages of their pregnancy bit it didn't affect their MAT pay. They cannot make you take MAT leave early.

It sounds like you have PGP which will only get worse, see a physio about it as swimming might not help (The way your legs are parted for swimming could make it worse). There are things you can do like pillows between your knees, ways of getting out of bed etc. I saw a chiropractor which gave some relief but still ended up on crutches!

I agree you should try and compromise but ultimately it's your decision. I'm working up til my due date but this is my first so can't comment on how easy that'll be! Bear in mind, if you stick to the date you want, if you take any maternity related sick leave in the 4 weeks before your due date, your employer can start your mat leave at that point. Personally, I think this is to my advantage, as if it does get too much, I can just go. However if I'm coping ok, I can keep going and save my leave for 'the other side'

Im also a teacher. With my first i was f/t and signed off at 32 weeks due to spd. It was awful. I coudnt even get in the bath. With my second i was also f/t and got to 36 weeks. The spd was easier to manage pre birth but i had a traumatic birth and required physio after the birth.

Put tour due date as the plan but be open to leaving soner, at your convenience.

I worked on my due date with DS2 but I was freelance and I gambled on him being late like his brother and he was. If you are already feeling uncomfortable I guess a lot depends on what would happen if you had to change plans and go off early. Best of luck anyway

I was 38 weeks when i broke up for the Christmas hols and started maternity leave at 40 weeks both times. DS1 as 2 days over and DS2 born on his due date. When are you due? Beginning of December? Try and go as long as possible if you can. They cannot dictate when you start maternity leave. If they get pushy speak to your union.

I’m due on 27th Jan and teach year 2 full time. I’m considering taking mat leave straight after Christmas holidays. I’m just concerned that I’ll have 2 weeks holiday and then if I’m late I could be waiting another 5 weeks on top of this - I think I’ll end up getting bored!

The latest you have to start mat leave is the day after your child is born.

Agree with many other posters here. Your school will cope. You could go off tomorrow or you could go off the day you're due. It is their responsibility to have provisions in place.

I work full time (university lecturer /researcher) and both times worked until my due date. It was fine (especially as they both were two weeks overdue!). If you feel OK then I don't see why you shouldn't - obviously I was lucky to have relatively 'essyy' pregnancies

I worked until I went into labour with all three. I felt good towards the end of my pregnancies and didn't have a physical job. My duties were also divided between staff so they didn't need to hire/train anyone new. Meant I could have the max time off with the baby if I wanted too.

Tell them your intended leaving date now. You can change it later if needs be.