Maternity Leave Advice needed??

[rachyryan]

Hi all,

I have just come back from midwife appointment and she has advised me to start mat leave now! Has anyone been to there employer and changed the date with such short notice? I am worried about doing this, things at work are a nightmare so stressful and midwife said i am high risk of pre term labour due to previous pre eclampsia plus the recent kidney infections i have had.

I feel i need to start mat leave early as i am not sleeping, work is horrific and generally feel crap. Any advice on approaching my employer would be appreciated. I am such a wimp!

 

[Rachaellius]

I havn't had much experience myself no, but I am in the same boat when it comes to short notice, my mw has also told me to go around 30 weeks because I've been getting severe swelling and my blood pressure has been slightly high. I only received my MatB1 form last week and I phoned HR and they said I need to send them that along with a maternity commencement form which they need to send me which they haven't yet, so it's they're own fault! Lol. But of course it's only 3 weeks away and I'm getting worried xx

 

[i.love]

Well my company asks for 8 weeks notice if you want to change the date. But there is a point in my contract saying that if you will start missing work because of the pregnancy-related issues, your maternity leave will start automatically straight away. I would check if you have any rules like that in your contract, and if you do, you can try to ask your doctor/mw to write you a paper saying that you are advised to stay at home, and then your maternity leave will start straight away!

 

[rachyryan]

Thanks guys, I work for the nhs and just read through their maternity policy it does say i can change my date if i give the required notice, but it doesnt state what that notice is. I have drafted a letter, to my manager do you think this sounds ok? The only other option is to go to my gp for a sick line but i dont really want to do this as i am not unwell i am just trying to make things sfaer for the rest of my pregnancy. Hope that makes sense

After discussion with my midwife yesterday I have decided that it is in my best interests to start my maternity leave as soon as possible.
Due to the recent infections and subsequent problems following antibiotics I do not feel in the best health at present. My midwife has made me aware that due to these issues coupled with previous pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy I am at high risk for a pre term labour. I also feel that the environment that I am working in at present is extremely stressful and feel that due to the lack of nursing support the job is becoming too much for me at this stage in my pregnancy. I would therefore like to use my remaining holidays and the time that I am owed with effect from 12/9/11 with my maternity leave starting immediately after.

 

[LucyAnn]

Hi,

Yeah my employer required 8 weeks notice for change of dates etc and if i had been ill due to preg in the last 4 weeks they say they would start my leave automatically. At the end of the day if you have to go you have to go.
Theres someonw at my work 5 1/2 months preg she is struggling bless her, asked for reduced hours to save keep having sick days and b3ing worn out and they said no

That letter looks perfect to be honest cant see why they would argue with that its very imformative to them and honest. Let us know how you get on xxx

 

[Geminiblue]

if in doubt you go to doc and get signed off, then when its 4 weeks prior to the birth date maternity leave will start thats what i would do if yuo get any hassle good luck xxx typin one handed sorry xxx

 

[rachyryan]

Thanks I will go to the docs if I get any problems but I feel really funny about that, I torture myself so much over being off work sick. I know I am being ridiculous but I can't help feeling like it. I have just went back to work after 2 weeks annual leave and then 2 weeks sick after taking unwell on holiday and the dr I saw was really off about giving me a line for a week even though my midwife had advised I get one and wriiten it in my notes. I genuinely think some gp's don't understand how draining being pregnant can be especially when it's not all plain sailing.

 

[jennyjuniper]

if you are too ill to work there's nothing the employer can do, nor should do bar accepting it! I know how you feel though, you feel like you are leaving everyone else is it but you have to think of your health and strength for the weeks ahead and when the baby come!

good luck

 

[Menie13]

Just take sick leaves as it's "sickness" issues related to your maternity. The MW should be able to provide you a letter regarding her concern. You better to keep your maternity leaves once you give birth

 

[rachyryan]

hi all just a wee update, i spoke to my boss today and she was very understanding to be honest. She has advised me to get a sick line from docs up until i am 36 weeks then my mat leave will automatically start. So i have agreed to go in tomorrow morning to tidy things up and handover some stuff to other people then i dont need to go back. I just need to make an appointment with gp now and explain everything and hope they will understand. I dont think she was all that surprised and virtually said that i am doing them a favour as it highlights how understaffed our dept is and that i havent been properly supported from day 1 so i think it's convenient for all. I feel hugely relieved now and look forward to getting my self back to being 100% healthy to deliver and look after my new wee baby. Thanks everyone for all your help yesterday x

 

[LucyAnn]

WOW!! well done to you thats the most amazing outcome so pleased they understood and welcome to the world of mat leave! so happy for you!! xxxx