How You Should Strategize Your Pregnancy Weeks

Any working mum-to-be needs to plan or strategize her working life to ensure she gets the maternity benefits she is entitled to and is given the right amount of time off work at the right pay level.

If you are pregnant and work full or part-time in the UK, you are entitled to time off before and after your baby arrives (you can work out a due date on a pregnancy calendar or with an online pregnancy calculator).

The amount of time you take off depends on what you agree with your employer.

New mums must take a minimum of two weeks off immediately following the birth. But altogether you have the right to 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave, making one year off work if you want.

Employers pay Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) to new mums if they have a contract, have worked there at least 26 weeks (at the 15th week before the due date) and they earn an average of at least £97 a week before tax.

The amount paid is 90% of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of leave followed by £124.88 a week for 33 weeks (or a rate equal to 90% of the woman’s average weekly earnings, whichever rate is lower).

Some employers may be more generous than this, but it depends on company policy.

SMP is subject to tax and an employer will deduct tax and National Insurance.

You need to tell your employer IN WRITING that you are pregnant and give them a date you want to work until (which must be at least 28 days before the date you want to start your SMP).

It’s important then to strategize your pregnancy weeks as you can't start your SMP until the 11th week before the baby is due and the very latest it can start is the day before your due date (which can be checked on a pregnancy calendar).

Maternity Allowance is paid by the state to self-employed women or those between jobs or recently unemployed. If a woman doesn't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, it's likely she will receive this instead.

This allowance is £124.88 a week for 39 weeks (or a rate equal to 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever rate is lower).

It can be claimed after the 26th pregnancy week.

There's a lot for you to arrange in what feels like a short period of time. Make sure you…

• Find out if you qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
• Work out a date to leave work
• Tell your employer
• Take all your allowed annual leave
• Check what happens to your pension
• Book antenatal classes off with work
• Think seriously about whether you will be returning to your job
• Look into childcare costs and availability
• Remind your partner to book paternity leave