Starting new job, just tested positive.

[Mashaandthebearr]

So I'm starting a new job today and I just took a pregnancy test because I just realised this morning that my period was a week late. Anyway, it's positive. I have my 1 year old beside me, and today is my first day back since I went on maternity with him.

I'm really just looking for a little advice, do I still go back? Is there any point in going back to work to leave again in 9 months time? My head is all over the place. I feel like such an idiot, going back to work pregnant. Again.

Of course there is a point in going back to work - you will earn money for 8/9 months and qualify for maternity leave when you go off again. If you quit your job now you wont be entitled to maternity pay.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I would go back to work again but would not let employer know of your current pregnancy just yet. According to the maternity policy in my last employment my employer maternity pay ( or 'additional ' maternity pay) was calculated based on the income i got when i was 24 weeks pregnant(or thereabouts but cant remember exactly). So for example say if i had been off sick for a long time and was just getting only the statutory sick pay them my additional maternity pay would have been calculated based on that income and not my usual income. You need to check your employers maternity pay policy as you don't really want to miss out on any pay that you may be due. If you are feeling well enough to start work then i would and then let my employer know about my pregnancy later on. However, if your job entails heavy lifting or long periods of standing etc and you have to let your employer know from a health and safety point of view then tell them you are pregnant asap and don't worry about what people think. I am sure most employers would have encountered similar situations. A lot of people have children closer in age so its not something that is unique to you. Good luck!

It's doubtful autumn2019 if this is the op's new job she will have earn any additional maternity pay. You can check for SMP though. Depends when you gave notice on last job

Apologies! I was a little confused as title did state "starting new job" but then as op used words such as "first day back" and "going back to work pregnant again" i assumed (most probably incorrectly) that she was returning back to her old employement. Sorry about that. If this is a new job you are starting OP then what popcorndiva says. It's unlikely that you would get additional maternity pay but you should be entitled to SMP www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility.

Congratulations! I'm 5 weeks pregnant and have a 19 mo.

Of course you should go to work, 9 months is still a long time away and its 9 months of pay.

You shouldn't feel silly :) Im sure these things happen to lots of people!

Autumn sorry I should have been clearer, it's not the same job that I went on maternity leave from, in Ireland we only get 6 months maternity and I had decided not to go back after the 6 months was up. Maternity pay is also paid by the state here as a lot of jobs don't provide it.

MummyJasmin thank you, congratulations to you too. I've spoken to DH and iv calmed down a lot since posting, I think I just got a bit of a shock.

If you work and pay NI for at least 26 weeks you will qualify again for SMP or MA. I was like that with my second. Plus legally you don't have to tell your employee you're pregnant until you are 24 weeks( if you don't want to).

I guess it's your decision but hope this information might help you in deciding.

I meant 26 weeks of NI before baby is born. As soon as you have that you can take your paid maternity leave.