Maternity at 30 weeks

[looeeea]

Hiii! I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and debating going on maternity leave ASAP
I work from home but I have HG, and I'm physically exhausted from talking to people all day on the phone for 9 hours a day.
I feel really anxious and like it is too soon but I am a FTM - what did everyone else do and reccomend please?! I think I'm just overthinking it. I get 6 months company pay (90% of normal pay) and then 6 months SMO

Thank you in advance.

I think it's fine if it helps your health and well being and you can afford it. Bear in mind if you go to 42 weeks you'll have 12 weeks just you, no baby. You can use that time to relax, potter about, prep for baby, batch cook- do all the things that could make your life easier once baby is here. You'll have to go back when baby is around 9 months but personally I would be fine with that, I was ready when both of mine were that age. Lots of people will say no it's far too early, but if you can afford it and want to, why not. The alternative is to either struggle through or be signed off sick, which with HG it sounds like you could be?

As you've got HG could you be signed off sick for a few weeks, and then see how you feel?

Be careful about being signed off for pregnancy related issues as this could trigger your mat leave early

Sorry I don't know what HG is

My first child I had 5 weeks off before he was born and was super ready for it but after a week got really bored so this time round I'm waiting til 2 weeks before purely because being at home is making it slightly easier (have 4 weeks left of work, due in 6)

Your mat leave would automatically start at 34 weeks if you got signed off, I think.

I don’t think I’d want to start leave that early, as you’ll have less time on the other side with baby, but I had an easy pregnancy and started my mat leave at 39 weeks. He’s now a few weeks old.

If you’re struggling, and have a plan for the other side, it might well make sense to take it easy now!

Legally if you're signed off sick they are not allowed to trigger mat leave until 36 weeks. I was signed off sick at 31 weeks for the remainder of my pregnancy, and my mat leave started at 36

@looeeea

Hiii! I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and debating going on maternity leave ASAP I work from home but I have HG, and I'm physically exhausted from talking to people all day on the phone for 9 hours a day. I feel really anxious and like it is too soon but I am a FTM - what did everyone else do and reccomend please?! I think I'm just overthinking it. I get 6 months company pay (90% of normal pay) and then 6 months SMO

Thank you in advance.

Get signed off sick until 36 weeks and then maternity would start automatically anyway. Leaves you more time after the birth too

I would go on sick for the month but I would only be entitled to SSP & that is around £90 per week so wouldn't cover my bills or anything like that!

Oops x-post

@dementedpixie we both clicked send at the same time I think lol. Don't know if universal credit would help me for the month whilst I was on sick if it's worth me giving them a call?

I wonder why they have such a good maternity policy but such a crap sick leave policy

Do you have any annual leave to take first ?

Maternity leave isn’t triggered by sick leave at 34 weeks, it’s triggered by pregnancy related sick leave in the last 4 weeks before the due date (the EWC provided on the matb1).

I couldn’t walk by 30 weeks and finished at 33 weeks. I used 4 weeks holiday and officially started mat leave at 37 weeks as that’s when my c section was due. I would suggest as pp said and get signed off for a few weeks. You’ve got a right to sick pay just as any other employee would. Don’t feel you have to start maternity so early because you are unwell.

Cross post, sorry your sick pay is so rubbish!!

I wouldn't unless you are really really struggling. Much rather have the time off with baby massive difference between 9 months and a year. Be a shame to miss that if you are going back full time.

Same as others, I would only start maternity leave that early as a last resort. Would definitely look at making the most of annual leave or getting signed off sick. You'd be losing a lot of time at the other end.

You will get 13 weeks SMP, not 6 months after your occupational pay, OP.

I have no paid sick therefore I would be left with £98PW- I'm going to just take maternity.

I would be due back to work 11/01/23 - document was signed today ! Guess that is that x

Trying to think of the best way to say this without sounding bad. Basically you are so close to maternity leave your employer is entirely unlikely to do any kind of capability or performance management process. I say this as a HR professional. Keep working and slack off a bit (ready to be told I’m wrong to say that though!)

I took mine at 31 weeks. Very physical job, I just couldn't cope anymore with the back pain, debilitating anemia, and extremely long hours. Baby is due in Feb and I have been getting worse so I am enjoying the time to prepare slowly at my pace and relax. Of course, I could afford to go early as my company maternity package is really good, and ofc you'll have to consider that. But from here, no regrets yet!