Uk can start maternity leave 11 weeks before estimated due date

I don't know. My workplace said that I'm entitled to take the maternity leave max 4 weeks before my due date. I do a hard job and I struggle too and I asked them and this was the answer. They told me also that if I need to leave early I can use my last two weeks of annual leave to add before the maternity (2 weeks a/l + maternity straight after). You should check your workplace policies and the government. I link you the website but it says 4 weeks before for the SML.
https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/leave

Thank you. I’m pretty sure it’s 11 weeks before the due date you are entitled to take it, that link seems to confirm that as well x

Remember if you are struggling with your job role in pregnancy, your employer legally has to make reasonable adjustments to help you, and if they can't offer different duties etc, they can suspend you on full pay (I don't think this is taken from your maternity).
https://www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

Thank you funny that my employer hasn’t even done a risk assessment with me at all. Currently 5 months pregnant x

Oh blimey, you need to ask them to do one asap 😭 Some employers are so shit, such a shame you have to push for the basics 😬 it is a legal requirement that they do that. Good luck xx

I needed to ask my employer to have a risk assessment as they weren't doing it (I work in a care setting so my priority was to have one).

I said that I don't know about it because in my workplace they said that it's their policies the 4 weeks so I didn't really inform myself regarding hoping to cope until then. I'm glad the website confirmed 11 weeks before at least you can take a bit of a break and be able to manage the pregnancy and the other little one. Hope everything works the best

Thank you both for the comments x

I wish the US did maternity leave like this. I worked all the way until my due date. Literally went into labor at work with one of them. Even though he was two weeks early, he was my third so it was a given he would come early.

Yes, 11 weeks is the earliest you can start maternity leave in the UK

Yep you can start from 11 weeks before the due date. Most people don't though as it obviously takes time away from you at the other end when you actually have baby with you.

Thank you all. I put in today for it to begin 10 weeks before with annual leave the week and half before that x as work is too much and treating me like a mug putting on me and putting on me so that’s my response back to them x