I currently work full time (have been since 11/07) and am due 02/09... I may have to go down to part time hours due to the pregnancy and am worried as to how that will affect my maternity leave.

As a full time employee I can take 14wks off at full pay or 28wks at part pay (which is what ill be doing, so that i can have 7months off paid).. however if I drop to part time hours for the duration of the pregnancy, once I go on maternity leave, will they pay me at the part time or full time rate for the 14/28wks?? As I wld still be contracted as a full time employee just having to work part time hours for a number of months to cope with the pregnancy?? so confused, and cant ask my boss as he doesnt like me discussing this pregnancy/leave conditions in terms of money!!! which is stupid, as money is the only reason ppl go to work in the first place!!

Also, if I decide to take the full 52wks off (5months unpaid) with every intent on going back to work after maternity leave, if for any reason i cannot return to work, does that affect the maternity leave pay the employer would have paid me over the 7months?? I dont understand what the "intent to return to work" forms id have to sign are...??? What would happen if you didnt return to work after the maternity leave?

Also, as someone previously posted on here somewhere.. what happens if you fall pregnant while on maternity leave and have to take a second lot of maternity leave straight away? .. not that im planning on it, just curious how it all works!

This is my first pregnancy and Im finding all this more complicated than expected!

Thanks,
Aneta