Anyone work for the NHS ladies? If you go off sick and it's like 8 weeks before baby is due can they…

I'm due to leave in 5 weeks for annual leave (4 weeks) then start maternity after x

But don't think I can manage another 5 weeks x

I think it's managers discretion Hun and how long your off for xx

I couldn't do it, went at 31 weeks, long days killed me off xx

@princesshannah1986, thanks Hun, when I googled the NHS maternity policy pdf it said only in last 4 weeks prior to baby's due date can they make you start maternity ?

@princesshannah1986, did you just start maternity early Hun?

I think u will be fine staying of sick, I found it impossible in the end, was horrendous! I don't know how I got to 31 weeks, I was struggling at 28! Do u not plan on going bk before your AL? Xx

@princesshannah1986, I've had enough Hun, 5 weeks to go starting today and I'm so uncomfortable and heavy, I get a lot of ligament pain in my Punic bone too.

Pubic****

I worked for the NHS and I was advised to take my annual leave then go on maternity but I think if u are sick by week 36 they can make u then if I remember correctly

@princesshannah1986, yes that's how I read it but I'm only 30 weeks, and due to start AL at 34+2 weeks then maternity after that, so if I was to go to docs now or end of week about my ligament pain etc to go on sick I'm thinking they can't make me start AL and maternity straight away can they?

@princesshannah1986, cause I won't be 36 weeks yet

@suzie80, sorry that reply was meant for you....not @princesshannah1986

Not that I'm aware but they may advise u take leave but it may only be advise. I was sick a lot in my last pregnancy and I was never Asked to take al. I just went on early maternity at 29 weeks. As my ssp was less than the mat pay at that point as I had taken all of my NHS full rate pay previously when sick. I was on a contract too.

@suzie80, I've been told I have to take AL prior to maternity otherwise I'll lose it, I'll ring HR Tomoz I think, I've only had one day sick related to pregnancy upto now at the beginning, thanks for the advice Hun x

If sickness is pregnancy related then yes Hun x

@mummya, do you mean yes they can make me take maternity early?

@hawkie75, I think yes they can make you take maternity early but only from 36 weeks onwards. so if you were originally taking leave 34-36, but you were signed off sick for the next 6 weeks, they would have to honour the sick leave if it's medically advised (I.e. fitness to work note) but you might then lose your annual leave. Is there any possibility you could end your maternity leave early and take your annual leave at the end? That's what I'm doing as I have to take all of mine before the next holiday year. So if all goes to plan I'll be working until maternity leave starts 10 days before, then the rest of my A/L which I will accrue I'm taking at the end but ending my Mat leave early to do so. Means I go back to normal pay sooner too!

@newmommyapril, hmmm I don't think they'll let me do that, I was told I had to use AL before maternity, I'm just going to see how I go next few weeks, sod it,if they make me start maternity few weeks early so be it, if I can't manage and I'm struggling then I'm putting me and baby first to be fair. Thanks for the reply Hun xxx

@hawkie75, yeh I'm sure it's if your sick 4 weeks before your due date! So it should be fine! Not sure how it'd affect your AL though?xx

@daniluvsdis, ok thanks Hun xxx