i doubt any employer will hold your positiong for an additional 3 months and then start paying you maternity payments - you will have only 9 months service - they MAY keep your position for you to return to, but i doubt they will be under any obligation to do so
Just trying to understand better... by under 'no obligation' you mean that they have the right to fire me once I need begin my leave, because I have not been there for 12 months? And I don't have the right to even take 'unpaid' leave? (Sorry, just I'm wanting to know what I am legally entitled to not what they may choose to do)

Thanks!