6 week mat leave mamas?

shellyco

Hi everyone.  I know you get q's about mat leave a lot- I tried to read some recent ones before I asked my own. 

I am feeling super torn because while technically they will allow me more time, there are a lot of factors at play here.  This is a new position for me (teaching).  I will have only been working there for about four weeks when my baby is due (Sep 10).  Their policy is that we receive 4 weeks paid leave and can use up to four more days of our own sick leave/personal days.  The rest will all be unpaid.  A huge catch is that if I take all four weeks of paid leave this year, I get no paid leave for the next year because the contract stipulates four weeks over a two year period.  They are subtly encouraging me to only take the six weeks recovery time off. 

This feels like way not enough time. but I feel lots of pressure to do it because I am brand new.  This is actually my first "career" after graduating with my Master's in May.  My mom, who is also a teacher, thinks I should only take the six weeks for the "career politics" reasons.  My husband thinks I should take as much time off as I want.  We've been living on one income for four years while I went to school so the money  factor isn't really an issue.  I'm leaning towards only taking the six weeks of leave though. 

Can anyone who only got 6 weeks of maternity leave off share their experiences with me?  Did you feel physically recovered?  Emotionally? 

Also, my HR director indicated that I can receive FMLA benefits.  Everything I've read says I must have worked 12 months and a specific amount of hours before coverage. 

Karla CS

For me, at six weeks, I would not have been physically comfortable going back to work, let alone emotionally. For some women, delivery is a breeze, for others, it's a lot more complicated. Unfortunately, you don't know which camp you'll be in until you're in the trenches.

My personal opinion is that you only get these newborn days with your baby once. Based on your signature, this is something that you've been working towards for a long time. I'd weight that into all of your considerations - and at the end of the day, plan to spend as much time with your LO as you comfortably can. You may decide that 'comfortably' means 6 weeks, or that it means longer.

shannm

I took six weeks for both kids and I and the babies did just fine. I had sections and was fine physically. Emotionally I was ok. Mentally, it will be a challenge no matter how much time you take, IMO.
I could have pushed for more time but I run projects that only progress when I am around.

court115

I was only able to take 6 weeks leave. In my situation, that was all that I could take. For me, it was doable. I had a c-section but recovered quickly. Like PP said, you won't know how you are physically or emotionally until you're in the trenches. While a 6 week leave isn't ideal for most, it is totally doable.

emberlee3

I took 6 weeks with DS.  I was (wrongly) told that was the most I could take without having to miss sitting for my specialty boards the following year.  I had a very difficult delivery, and I was not fully healed, so sitting was still uncomfortable.  DS was fine, and his daycare teachers loved on him at least as much as I did

mexicolombiana

I took 6 weeks with my first and it was fine.  BUT I had a kick-a s s delivery and no complications or much PP pain or issues.  Also my aunt was living w/us so I had a lot of peace of mind at home with the baby.  

With my 2nd I took 12 weeks and it was much better but again I could have taken less time if I needed to.

Are you planning on BFing? Will you have enough time to pump at work? That would be more important to me than going back to work at 6 weeks.  In other words, if I could take 6 weeks and be certain I had excellent pumping breaks and a private place to pump when I came back that would matter more to me than taking an extra few weeks. 

Good luck either way.  If I were you I would take a bit more than 6 weeks if possible. 

ashcody2

I was only able to take 8 weeks of mat. leave since I work for an acct. firm and I had to be back in time for busy season - I had a very easy delivery, so physically I was fine. As a FTM, it was a little hard on the emotional side, I wished I could have taken the full 12 weeks, it just didn't work out.

The first week back to work was the hardest - I've been back to work now for 4 months now and LO is doing wonderful in DC and loves his provider. I really think 6 weeks being enough time to recover will vary depending on your delivery. Personally, I could have definitely went back to work at 6 weeks though, but like I said I had a very easy delivery.

jamima757@yahoo.com

I took 6 weeks with DS. I was only covered under short term disability for that long. I could have taken an additional 6 weeks under FMLA- but the second 6 would have been without pay. That isn't something that was doable at the time. I will admit it was hard coming back- but I think it still would have been hard at 12 weeks. I was lucky and the DC is just a couple minutes from work so for the first 6 months I went out at lunch and nursed. Made it bearable knowing I didn't have to go the whole day.

LoCarb

I went back to work at 5 and 6 wks with both girls (vag delivery) easy breezy. My body was physically healed except for the exhaustion. DD1 was colic and I welcomed the opportunity for someone else to care for her. 

preggersin2011

At six weeks I was ready to get back to work and put LO in daycare. She was a terrible napper. I spend 3 weeks straight with her at home, alone, crying and cranky. I welcomed the mental break to be an adult again. Six weeks put me right before the winter holidays, no day care anyways, so I went back jan 2nd which was 8 weeks.

shellyco

Thanks everyone for your experiences. I talked to my mom more about how conflicted I was feeling and she encouraged me to do what is right for me, so I told my supervisor I want 8 weeks. This was after I already said I'd likely be taking six weeks, so I hope she's understanding of this wishy washy pregnant lady!

To pp who asked about BFing, I do plan to BF and was concerned about getting the hang of pumping by six weeks pp. Thankfully I have my own office and shouldn't encounter any difficulty adjusting my schedule to pump. I'm an SLP by the way, not a classroom teacher so there is more flexibility there.

StayingSecret

With LO#1, I went back after 6 weeks.  That's my plan with this one too.

My situation is a little different though as I just work part-time (1/2 days mostly) and my sister is my babysitter, so I'm completely comfortable leaving a 6-week-old.

I physically was fine and emotionally too.  But I got kind of bored with just one kiddo - he slept alot!  I even ended up repainting our basement over my maternity leave. 

Honestly?  If you've only been there 4 weeks when LO is due, I'd really try to make your leave only 6 weeks.  Holidays come soon after that.  You can always change your mind once you're on leave, but I think your employer is being more than fair giving you 6 weeks off when you've only been there a month.

cedenton

I only took 6 weeks. I had no complications during pregnancy or delivery. Honestly, for me it was a good decision. I was going insane at home. I NEEDED to go back to work. You may not know how you'll feel until your LO is here.

If you're only on the job for 4 wks I wouldn't think you're covered under FMLA, though I suppose they could voluntarily do so. If you can afford it and you want more time...take it.

bibby32714

I only took 6 weeks as well. The first weeek back I was able to work only 1/2 days which made the transition better.  I personally was healed and was ready to get back to some adult interaction. The pay was also a large consideration for us as I am the primary wage earner.  I think you need to decide what is best for you and keep your HR in the loop.  If things change they are more likely to work with you if you have been in contact with you.

dizzycooks

StayingSecret said:

With LO#1, I went back after 6 weeks.  That's my plan with this one too.

My situation is a little different though as I just work part-time (1/2 days mostly) and my sister is my babysitter, so I'm completely comfortable leaving a 6-week-old.

I physically was fine and emotionally too.  But I got kind of bored with just one kiddo - he slept alot!  I even ended up repainting our basement over my maternity leave. 

Honestly?  If you've only been there 4 weeks when LO is due, I'd really try to make your leave only 6 weeks.  Holidays come soon after that.  You can always change your mind once you're on leave, but I think your employer is being more than fair giving you 6 weeks off when you've only been there a month.

The school I work at does not allow you to change your mind  You give them your number of weeks starting before or at your due date and then put a return date down.  If you are put on bedrest three months early, you still may not return until the date you put down.  I would caution you to check into whether you can change your mind later if you go that route.

Having your own office and being able to set your student schedule will help you with BFing so that's a big perk.  Also, as someone else said, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner at that point so you'll have some shorter weeks to look forward to.

Good luck with your decision!

litzo27

I did 6 weeks and was totally fine both mentally and physically. BUT - I worked from home for the next several months and could easily pop in for BFing. That's a big deal to me. As PP said my decision would be very much dependent on whether I would be able to pump easily.