Maternity leave question

[LorOxley1408]

When I was talking to my midwife at my booking appointment I asked if because I am having twins and they will be delivered early can I start my maternity leave earlier.

I was told no they would take my 40 week due date and it would be 11 weeks before that.

The thing is I am expecting twins and I have been told that I will deliver them no later than 38 weeks. If I make it to 38 weeks I will be induced so there is absolutely no chance that my 40 week due date is my due date.

I work in a nursery and I am concerned that I may not last until 29 weeks as it is an extremely active job. Being signed off for a few weeks wouldn't help either as my employer offers 0 sickness pay.

The government website says that the "earliest you can start your leave is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, this is usually around 29 weeks" - usually - suggesting that it's not always? If I have been told that I will not go beyond 38 weeks then surely that should be used as my due date for my maternity leave??

Sorry for the rambling, I just want to be able to make the most of my leave before they arrive to prepare and relax as I am very aware that they could come even earlier than 38 weeks.

 

[Emmam1982]

Sorry but it's 29 weeks at the earliest. You would be able to get statutory sick pay from your employer though-it's a legal requirement but it isn't much (about £88 a week if you're full time)

 

[Tonks82]

Could you not take all your holiday your entitlement for 2016 before may leave starts in one go? So I get 5 weeks annual leave a year and if I don't take any holiday before my due date in Aug and I decide to take my maternity from my due date I could take all 5 weeks holiday before due date as well so I could technically leave work from 18th July. Could you do something similar? Xx

 

[Mrs M]

I would suggest holidays too. I worked up to 38 weeks with my first, but I took holidays 1 or 2 days per week from 30 weeks.