@stephnae, I'm in a similar situation I start maternity leave on Monday and from day 1 my wage decreases and continues to do so throughout my leave. I thought everyone was entitled to £20 per week for their first child which is pretty crap but better than nothing turns out were only entitled to £10.50 a week. I think it's ridiculous! It's not as if we get a tax reprieve or anything all our bills will be exactly the same but our income will not be by far! The joys of having our baby will definitely outweigh the worries of money but it's as if you let penalised.

We're in the same boat :) only help we can get is when I actually go back to work with childcare costs but that's no help to me now. I've worked out if we budget I can manage to take the whole maternity entitlement. Is there anyway you can save until baby comes to cover your bills so you can be off longer ? X

babes I know the feeling me and my partner are financial advisors so know the system inside out and back to front. I'm going to be loosing a crazy amount of money as of week 12 and I had to go on maternity leave early for health reasons.. it sucks that we work so hard and are entitled to nothing what so ever. I was told not to do anything with my hours at work until after I go back off maternity as that can effect your maternity pay. it's so hard finding the right balance. xx

Deffs go to citizens advice, are yous married? If so yous might be intitled to marriage allowance, you'll get child benefit and child and working tax credits x

We're pretty much in the same boat but we're hoping my fella earns enough to keep us all going as we've worked out if I work part time it's just about enough to cover child care, so he reckons I should stay at home and see how we get on.... I hope you get yourself some help, 4 months is no time at all to spend with your new born x

@kmcf2302, yeah I think that might be my best bet, honestly don't think it will change anything but I guess I never know.

@tiasohi1, I guessed it was cause he made to much :/ like I said part time works out same money wise at maternity after putting out money, I am optical consultant so I have a good job and not sure about leaving it.

It might be because your partner earns too much? In which case they are assessing basic living is covered by that money . Part time or some shifts as in some evening work ? That way you see Bubs all day and your partner can have him over night x

@stephnae, speak to citizens advice. They will be able to advise you with all the information that there is xx

@ginnyw132, I done an online calculator on the gov site that said we would get nothing :/

have you looked at tax credits? my partner works full time and earns a decent amount and we get about 550 a month in tax credits x

What do you mean all avenues?

If I went back part time I would be making roughly the same as maternity leave as we would still have to his mum (she is quitting her job)

Have you looked into all avenues ? And also part time work ?