Notifying work 15 weeks before due date - worried I missed it...

[bitsyvonboomboom]

I work for a small company that started up in 2015. I will be the first employee ever to have gone through maternity leave at my place of work, and the HR lady is the bosses' wife who handles our personnel stuff, but it isn't really her field.
Work have known about my pregnancy and my intention to take maternity leave since December, and had and copied my MatB form after I got it a week or so ago, but hadn't had a confirmed maternity leave start date, which I confirmed today.
I haven't had a reply from HR yet, but I'm now freaking myself out as it's beyond the 15 weeks before the due date deadline (which was 27/04/19).
What does it mean? Have I really screwed up?

Well if you just add a few days to the date you believe your last menstrual period was, then how can they argue with you?

I've worked for several large companies which have been fairly lax on this. I once had to submit one to HR the day after the baby was born...the mother went home ill on the Friday saying she felt really dreadful, everyone (including her!) thought she had a bug but she was actually in labour.

In any event babies do sometimes come early, or people have pregnancy related illnesses meaning they go slightly earlier, mat leave isnt not exactly something you can plan to the day! I wouldn't worry

I had this same worry, I was 28 weeks when I handed my matb1 in and gave them my date for mat leave to start - it was fine, they didn't bat an eyelid! Chase up HR tomorrow to put your mind at rest.

You've notified work, that's all you need to do. Don't panic, youve met the deadline

You only have to notify them of your intention to take maternity leave by 25 weeks. MatB1 is not actually required at that point

They’re not going to try and deny you maternity leave, don’t worry!

Thanks everyone! Still waiting for HR to get back to me, but you've put my mind at ease :)

I gave mine in when i got it but there was issues with the system so i didnt actually get anything from them.until 3 weeks before my due date. Dont panic!