Then it could be your HR fault for not informing you. You should read up your handbook carefully. All maternity leave must be consumed within 12 months.
New moms, I suggest you read your company handbook regarding maternity claims and lea.ve properly. HR will not be so kind to remember who is preggy (imagine if you are from abig organisation) And if your boss is single/never preggy, she will not know or get trained up on such stuff....
Accordingly to what I know, if you dont utilised within X period, it will be forfeited. And childcare leave cannot be carried forward too.