Working moms: Maternity leave plan

mamam

Does anyone have a maternity leave plan they could share?  With DD1 I worked up until the day I delivered.  This time things are much different and I want to give them my plan but also a backup plan in case I don't make it that far.  I just need a starting point since I'm staring at a black page.

RobynK

You will need to check with your employer.  Where I work you are not allowed to take maternity leave before a baby is born and leave MUST start the day the baby arrives.  If I wanted time off before that then I either took vacation, unpaid or if it was medical then it was sick time and then short-term disability.

I started vacation 2 weeks before my scheduled c/s but I was actually checked into the hospital for pre-e after 1 week of vacation.

SarahMCH

I'd wait a little while longer and see how your pregnancy is progressing. I also worked up until the day I delivered with DS.  I've had a very uneventful, easy twin pregnancy so far, and my doctor thinks I have a very chance of going full term.  So I am planning to work until 38 weeks.  My boss has also said I can work from home a couple days a week towards the end if I'm getting too uncomfortable.  I have been making plans to divvy up my job duties so that is prepared in case I have to go out early.   Good luck to you!

nygrl79

With a twin pregnancy, things are so unpredictable that the only thing you can plan for sure, is your leave once the babies arrive.  You should find out how much short-term disability you have available to you, so that you know whether you'll be covered if you have to stop working weeks or months before the babies arrive. 

kimarino13

My plan was to see how I felt.  California State Disability covers you for up to a month before your EDD, but many doctors write twin moms out earlier than that.  I planned to work until I was no longer comfortable, but ended up going out at 20 weeks for a kidney issue.  There's really no telling how you will feel or what may happen.

AlishaMay

I've been having issues with cramping/contractions since 11w, and shortly afterward my doctor reduced me to a max of 4 hours per day.  But I'm a chef and my job requires me to be very active - on my feet, standing, lifting, bending, and in a hot environment.

My goal has been to try to make it for as long as safely possible.  This past Sat. I started experiencing contractions while at work and had to go to the hospital to have them stopped.  They have had me out of work (but not actually on bed rest) until I see my doc tomorrow.  Regardless of what she says though, I feel like it's best for me to be done with work, and I know that she'll write me out.

At this point I'll be taking short term disability which will get me to my scheduled c-section date.  After the babies are born I will be taking 12 weeks under FMLA which will be unpaid.  Fortunately, I was able to get a Hospital Indemnity Plan which will provide me with a lump sum of benefits for both me and the babies - which will help to supplement our income during my actual leave time.

jenkm

I told my boss I planned to work until March 1st (about 32 1/2 weeks), then take it week by week from there.  Good thing - I had an uneventful pregnancy until 28 weeks, when my cervix measured on the short side of normal.  I wound up working the last week of Feb. at home and going out 3/1, despite wanting to work another 2 weeks.

You just don't know how your body will handle having that much pressure on your cervix!  Plus I have to say that by 33 weeks I was SO thankful to be going out...  I stopped sleeping well so I really needed a nap during the day.  I got very easily exhausted by just getting showered and ready in the morning, let alone getting to and from work.  I also have to say that since being able to rest during the day my body just generally feels stronger/better.

 

lindsaydtobeb

My plan as of right now is to work until I deliver or I get put on bedrest. I'll work from home as much as I can if/when I'm on bedrest. After the babies are born I plan to take 3 months off. I've saved vacation time so that I can work 3 day work weeks for my first 2 months back and after that I'm asking to work a 4 day work week indefinitely. I haven't broached the 4 day week  with my boss yet. My fingers are crossed that he agrees.