Maternity leave, can I change the date?

[Bumbleclat]

I told my school when handing in my MAT B1 form some time ago, that I intend to go on ML after the first week of Dec (due date 25 Dec)
I am now feeling the strain at 34 weeks and am thinking I won't last much more than 2/3 more weeks, is it okay to change the original date?

I read somewhere that you need to give 28 days' notice if you want to change your ML dates but by that time it will be the holidays anyway!

Thank you

You just ask nicely. Or go off sick

Thanks, my maternity cove has been working in my class since Sept so I think it will be a smooth handover..

Just ask. One of my colleagues intended to leave a few weeks into September but she really struggled after the first week. She left at the end of that week. I'm not sure whether she was signed off sick or whether her mat leave simply kicked in but I don't think the school caused her any problems. She wasn't class-based, which must have made it easier.

I'm 36 weeks and seriously glad that I'm not expected to get up every morning, drive all the way to school and teach Y6 anymore.

Thank you, I'll wait until my appraisal and hopefully pay rise news on Friday and then let them know the following week that I'm needing to go off sooner than I thought.

3 more weeks takes you to 2/12 anyway.

If you are off sick a certain number of weeks before due date you are considered to have started your leave anyway - I don't know how many weeks but googleable!

Thanks.
I want to go off quite soon because I want to spend some time preparing for the birth- getting fitter etc but need to wait to see if I get a pay rise first... Hopefully will find out at the end of the week in my perf management meeting...