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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What should happen here?

12 replies

Cantthinkofausername1990 · 19/05/2019 08:16

I'm due to finish up work on 31st May, baby is due 14th June.
At my next maternity appt on 29th May, they are going to do a sweep and see if they can get baby to start making a move.
So I'll be off work that morning for the appt, but I've heard the sweep can be quite uncomfortable and don't think I'll be going back to work that afternoon.. and I also think I would prefer to not be at work for my last two days after it in case baby does decide to come..
Do I need to take these days as annual leave? Could I take them as sick leave?

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Passthecherrycoke · 19/05/2019 08:18

It doesn’t really matter but they are annual leave not sick leave. Personally I’d just move the midwife appointment?

RMarieClaire · 19/05/2019 09:04

Agree, annual leave - effectively, using holiday to trigger mat leave to start early. Alternatively, could you request to work from home? I'm due 4 July and working to the 21st, but expect to do last week or two from home to save on commuting

Shelbybear · 19/05/2019 10:55

Why are you getting a sweep 2 weeks before your due date? They usually only do around 40wks plus. It's unlikely to actually do anything unless you are pretty much about to go in to labour.

I had one at 39+6 as due date was on a weekend. I was surprised that it wasn't painful maybe a tad uncomfortable but then I was already few cms dilated. I found a smear worse tbh. They give you a score (bishops score I think) mine was very favourable. Midwife said well I can't guarantee anything but I certainly think your ready and will probably go over the wkend. I didn't and she was forcibly removed and a week late when I was induced for high blood pressure.

I'd just see how you are after the appointment. I felt fine absolutely no different. Maybe just take a change of underwear. You won't need days off after unless ur actually in labour so they wld need to be annual leave.

Summerorjustmaybe · 19/05/2019 10:58

I had a sweep every day for a week. At 39 weeks..
Dc was still a week late...

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/05/2019 10:58

You want time off ‘in case’ you’re uncomfortable and ‘in case’ the baby decides to come early? That’s called maternity leave and you should start it earlier. Sick leave? No wonder pregnant women get a bad rep.

bobble53 · 19/05/2019 11:15

Doesn’t it depend on your employer? If I take sick leave so many weeks before my mat leave is due to start then it triggers early leave.

FirstTimeMum1984 · 19/05/2019 11:38

Why wouldn't you:

move the appointment to closer to a time when you are actually due
start your maternity leave early
just go back to work in the afternoon

Maternity leave will automatically start up to 4 weeks before your due date if it's for a pregnancy related reason, for scenarios just like that.

Agree with a PP who pointed out that this is why pregnant women get a bad reputation.

TheCatInTheSquare · 19/05/2019 11:55

I seriously doubt a sweep 2 weeks before your due date will do anything. Seems completely pointless and ridiculous to have done before you start mat leave.

DragonMamma · 19/05/2019 11:57

Definitely annual leave.

I am always wondering why they are doing a sweep two weeks before your DD when you’re not even on mat leave.

Original poster

Cantthinkofausername1990 · 19/05/2019 15:30

If they can persuade baby to come on his own before his due date, then it's going to prevent the need for a section.
I know there's no guarantee it will work but that's why they want to start two weeks in advance of the due date, my last child did come on his own at 38 weeks in similar circumstances so they are hoping for the same.
Considering I worked 3 weeks ago through a kidney infection and on antibiotics to meet a deadline, then went back to work last week after having a bleed when I was told I could take time off, I don't think finishing two days early would be giving pregnant employees a bad reputation.
I'm entitled to six months full sick pay every year, and it wouldn't affect my maternity start date so I could have finished up a whole lot sooner but kept my head down and kept working hard rather than taking the easy way out.

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Original poster

Cantthinkofausername1990 · 19/05/2019 15:51

Also have no problem taking annual leave rather than sick days, that's why i asked for opinions here rather than just taking sick days

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purplemama1990 · 20/05/2019 11:27

I think people are being harsh saying this is why pregnant women get a bad reputation! It's difficult to know when to finish up as baby might come at any time, even before you start mat leave, and that's normal. Also normal not to know how you will feel at that time, so my HR have told me I can change my dates later if I find that I'm not feeling so great then. Luckily, pregnant women don't have a bad reputation at all in my company.

@Cantthinkofausername1990 From what I've read about sweeps, you'll be feeling ok I think afterwards and it might do nothing. If it does start labour, then your mat leave and pay will start when baby is born which is fine and doesn't matter if you don't go into work for that reason!

If you want to take the days off though, you should probably take them as annual leave. The appointment itself is a maternity appointment so that can be paid time off though. If you take them as sick leave then your maternity leave and pay start automatically, because any pregnancy related sick leave in last 4 weeks triggers mat leave to start unfortunately.

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