Personal Loan

I have personal loan with Nedbank for the past 3 years. I have been paying faithfully , not missing one payment thus far. I will be going on maternity leave soon and asked the bank if I can make payment arrangements for the time ill be off work. They said yes, but my credit record will be affected negatively...Is there really nothing the bank can do for a long term client that has never skipped a payment? I'm dissapointed really!