Moving abroad after receiving MATB1 form

[daisybooflower]

I am currently 18 weeks pregnant and receiving care in the UK and I will receive my MATB1 form from my midwife at 20 weeks. My partner lives overseas and I am thinking of going abroad to be with him after I receive my form to have the baby abroad and be under their care. (my job is very flexible so I can relocate but his job, he cannot) Can I do this? Will the midwife say anything about this? Or do they have no say on what I do with my life..

You think someone will try and force you to remain in the UK and deliver here?
No, they won't.
Relocate when you want

Just to add * I will still be working for a UK company paying my taxes and NI. I work remotely just abroad

So will you have proper care in the country you are going too? What if it all goes wrong and you need to get back to the UK?

I thought this. I just thought she may have something to say about it

Yes I will be under care in that county, I have just returned from there so I have been in there care previously :)

Check with your company that you are able to work remotely outside the UK - many don't allow it for tax/social security/insurance reasons.

If you are able to go just let your midwife know so that you don't appear to be someone who is refusing care/hasn't been given care during pregnancy.

Yes I can, this is a conversation we have had. 😃 thanks I will!

The MatB1 is proof of your pregnancy so your employer can pay your maternity pay. I'm not sure your midwife will care about you moving abroad after she issues it

Ah amazing, so the form is literally just to prove I'm pregnant which of course the midwife knows I am.

Why are you waiting for your matb1 to make the move?

Just make sure you’ve done your homework about your entitlement to medical care in whatever country it is AND very importantly your rights as a woman/mother there. Make sure it’s not a country that could prevent you from leaving with your child if your relationship were to break down.

@daisybooflower Its worth just checking with your work that they will allow you to work remotely from abroad. My job is remote, but I'm not allowed to work from abroad. Working abroad can have big tax implications and even if you are wanting to pay tax and NI in the UK there might be legal issues with this, particularly if you're looking to work oversees for any longer than a few months. I'd definitely make sure you check with your work HR department carefully whether your company actually allows you to work from oversees, what the tax implications are for UK and for the country you would be moving to, and make sure that it doesn't affect your maternity pay.

Yes I have spoke with HR and I'm aloud to work overseas no problem. I am waiting to receive my form so I get maternity pay. The question was, will my midwife have an issue with this, I have some all my research regarding the move, I have just returned back from the country I am wanting to move too and I am registered with their healthcare, all good. Thanks for advice guys.

So can receive my maternity pay :)

Yes done all my research beforehand, thank you!

Double check your midwife is happy to issue the matb1 form at 20 weeks. It seems that happens in some trusts but where I am it's the midwife appointment after your 20 week scan, in my case that was my 28 week midwife appointment.

Yes spoke with her and she is giving it to me at 20 weeks. :)

You're all set then!

@daisybooflower If all is good with your work situation moving, then why would your midwife have a problem? I would assume only issue would be if you were moving to a country that was considered very unsafe / resulted in any safeguarding concerns but presuming thats not the case!

As long as you are working and paying ni you can get the smp element, just check if legally you can be in that country if working

Because I wasn't sure if I had to be in the UK receiving care after I receive my MATB1 form, this is all new to me so was just asking questions. 😄

The MAT B1 form is just a piece of paper which states you are due (or gave birth) on whatever date. It's only useful for claiming maternity pay or benefits.

Your midwife will not care that you've moved abroad, just inform her so she can cancel your future appointments.

I see! Thank you for clarifying this 😊

What country are you moving to?

Also check your tax status in the country you're moving to