So just when I think the worry is over, it is really not. I now have a battle with the Maternity Allowance office as to whether or not I am allowed to claim. Their literature states that you can claim if the baby was stillborn in the 25th week of pregnancy. The staff seem to be reading that as you need to be 25weeks pregnant but surely the 25th week means that I have completed 24weeks (so am 24 weeks pregnant) and have entered the 25th week (so am 24weeks + something) After a phone call they said they think the baby was born 7hours before they class me as being in my 25th week and so I can send the forms back but it is up to them whether they deline it or not.

Everyone I speak to has a different opinion of what classes as the 25th week. IMO though if the hospital class you as having a stillborn baby and you have to register it as stillborn, arrange a funeral by law and pay for it yourself, than the MA office should accept the application. How disgusting is it that they class my baby to be less important than a baby born 1 day later. It means every bit as much to me as it does to the next bereaved parent. If the deny me the claim that means I have to return to work and face all the questions, all the looks, all the sympathy.

I do feel a bit odd trying to claim mat leave/pay without a baby but hey, I am legally entitled to the money, I have paid my national insurance and at the end of the day I would rather have my baby and no money than the other way around

Just feeling a bit deflated really. I seem to have been unlucky enough to not only have a stillborn baby but fall into the space of a week where I have to sort out all the crap but have to fight for any benefits.