Nurses - when are you starting maternity leave?
just wondered when you are intending to go on leave, i am finding it hard already and as the winter draws it will only get heavier, i was planning to stay till 34 weeks and take 2 weeks leave starting maternity at 36 weeks but i am not sure i could get to that even
any ideas?
becca
20+5
any ideas?
becca
20+5
0
Replies
Em x
27+5
Em x
I'm hoping to start mat leave at beginning of december (35 going to 36 weeks), following 2 weeks annual leave, although am going to be cheeky and ask if I can use some of next year's leave to add to this...
Understand and sympathise completely what you mean about struggling with a heavy work-load, and I'm doing short days!
If you begin to find nights difficult, and you've talked to your boss with no joy, try speaking with occupational health and explaining to them your situation.
They may be able to write to your boss on your behalf advising them that you do not do nights. They would have to listen to them...Also may work for long days, but then you're stuck doing 5 short days (if full time) which is just as tiring.
Good luck xx
I wanted to go untill 34 weeks with 2 weeks anual leave with mat leave starting at 36 but ended up going at 33 weeks due to high BP. Was struggling quite a bit by then anyway.
xxx
I'm hoping to start mat leave at beginning of december (35 going to 36 weeks), following 2 weeks annual leave, although am going to be cheeky and ask if I can use some of next year's leave to add to this...
Understand and sympathise completely what you mean about struggling with a heavy work-load, and I'm doing short days!
If you begin to find nights difficult, and you've talked to your boss with no joy, try speaking with occupational health and explaining to them your situation.
They may be able to write to your boss on your behalf advising them that you do not do nights. They would have to listen to them...Also may work for long days, but then you're stuck doing 5 short days (if full time) which is just as tiring.
Good luck xx
i am going to see OH today about the nights, there is more staff in the day so i am not left to get on with it like on nights. i have thought about short shifts but its over a half hour drive to work and i couldnt manage getting up at half 5, 5 days a week or 10 in a row like some lots of off duty, i think i might opt to have leave from 32 weeks and start maternity leave from 34 mmmm or 30 what a decision???
becca
20+6
Nat 20+3 xxxxxx
I don't really have a very sympathetic boss, she's more concerned how I'll be down on hours if she changes too many nights around! The max I have to do in a row is 3. But she was giving me 3 weeks worth of 2, 2, then 3!
I will go to Occupational Health in the future if she doesn't change the off duty, if it gets to hard for me. Luckily I'm not expected to move and handle, or go into infected rooms (I just refuse anyway)! But if I go to move a patient, I get told I'm not going to. lol xx
20+5
G/C from baby! Just wanted to add that I work (although currently on mat leave) on an MAU and left at 35 weeks - 2 weeks of which were annual leave so officially started mat leave at 37 weeks. You definately feel it by then (of course!!!) and although my midwife would have like me to go at 34 at the latest, she was happy with it as she knew how determined I was by then!!!
All I would say is that if you get further along and you really are struggling, then perhaps look into leaving earlier, they are normally pretty flexible with changing the dates else people will only get signed off sick! The earliest you can leave at is about 29 weeks isn't it? Have you got any more annual leave that you could add onto it?
x
I'm planning on leaving at 36 weeks. I'm gonna see how i feel and have also been told that i can change my date if needed. Tbh though, if i feel rubbish, i'm gonna get myself signed off sick rather than start my mat leave early, i feel its owed to me as i've propped the team up for so long and am not prepared to make myself work when i physically can't!!!
xxx
xx
I struggled with nights and was told there was no medical reason why you cant do them even went to occ health who said the same, for me that was the last straw!!
Mic
xx
Hello
I've been in to chat with my boss today about my shifts and found she was very un helpful I'm 23 weeks pregnant and nearing the end of my working time she has me down to work 13 hr shifts I'm classed as a high risk pregnancy anyway and feel I'm being treated unfairly. My boss made a comment to me that just because I'm pregnant does not mean I can't do night shifts or long days I'm just wanting some advice really on what I can do I know another member of staff refused to do these shifts when she was pregnant and that was fine. If anyone has any advice on what I can do would be helpful. Thanks
Hi Tiger21,
I am a nurse but work as a sister in a gp practice so slightly different. However, I do know that any responsible employer should carry out an initial risk assessment at the earliest opportunity with regular reviews as your pregnancy progresses and your needs change. This should identify any changes to your working day /shift pattern to allow you to continue working while keeping your baby and you safe and comfortable. Ward work is physically demanding when doing long days let alone when you are carrying a baby!
I'm not aware of all the legalities but maybe you could ask unison for advice. I think you need to be firm and put yourself and baby as priority - but understand that you probably don't want to make a scene as it were.
Take care and let me know how things go x