Maternity leave/annual leave - SMP question

[sleepychunky]

Hi, hoping for some help! If I take annual leave directly before mat leave but my baby is born early (when I'm still on annual leave as opposed to mat leave), does SMP kick in on the day of birth or after the annual leave period? Have read conflicting things and both previous DCs have been early!

Thanks

Your mat leave and associated smp will kick in as soon as your baby is born.

I believe SMP starts from when baby is born, so you lose your annual leave unless your employed lets you carry it over to the following year or add on to the end of your maternity leave.

Thanks both, does anybody have anything they can link to so I can show work?

It starts the day after the baby is born. Here's the link to the government basic employer guide.

Thanks flowery!