When can I start trying for a baby? Help a dyslexic mother calculate this!

[DyslexiaNightmare]

I'm having a mare. I'm dyslexic and have dyscalculia so struggle with maths, but don't want to message my workplace to ask the question if I can work it out myself.

To get full maternity pay, I have to have had 2 years service or more at the start of my qualifying week (15th week before my expected week of childbirth).

I started work at my current workplace on 12th December 2022.

By my calculations I have to be at work at least another year before I start trying for a baby, but want to get this right and put it in the calendar as something to be excited about/look forward to.

Can anyone help?

You’re right! Count 15 weeks on from 12th Dec 2024, takes you to 27th march 2025 as the earliest due date you could have. 9 months back is end of June 2024 so maybe wait until July 2024 to be sure?

Thank you! It's such a painful wait as I'm ready now.

Qualifying weeks start on a Sunday. So I count 15 weeks on from Sunday 15th December (you won't have had 2 years service by the previous Sunday). This means you'll need your due date to be on or after March 30th 2025.

Bearing in mind pregnancies are dated from the first day of your last period, you'll be safe to try after your period that starts on, or, after 23rd June 2024. Although if that exact date you'd be cutting it really fine so I would wait for the following month, wouldn't want to miss out on enhanced pay for the sake of a few days as at the 12w scan the dates are sometimes adjusted by a couple of days.

Hope that helps. Coming from someone who did an excel spreadsheet to figure out how soon she could start trying and still get enhanced pay 😂