When to give notice can be tricky. You are not obliged to tell your employer you are pregnant as soon as you find out!. However, if you work in a potentially dangerous environment, or do a job that could be harmful to you or your baby notify them as soon as possible.

If you choose to keep your pregnancy quiet for the initial 12 weeks or when you start to show, then you will need to tell your employer and give them notice of your intended maternity leave.

To get maternity leave you must give your employer notice in or before the 15th week before your baby is due. If your employer asks you to, you must put it in writing. You must tell your employer that you are pregnant, your EWC, and the date you wish to start your OML. You do not have to give separate notice for OML and AML, your employer should assume that you will take all the leave you are entitled to.

To get SMP you must give your employer your MATB1 form at least 28 days before you wish to start your pay. In practice many women give notice in writing for maternity leave and pay together by the 15th week before the baby is due.

Once you have given notice your employer has 28 days to write to you confirming the date your maternity leave will end. If you are not entitled to SMP, you must also be given form SMP1.

For more information you can visit www.workingfamilies.org.uk.