I need advice from working moms

RHitch

My job pays us 100% of our pay for 13 weeks while on maternity leave.  However, this is through STD which means i need a letter to return to work.  If my doctor's office date the letter at the 6 week mark, I have to return to work then or stay off without pay.  All of the women at my job (5 of them) told me when they were out their doctors wrote them a note dated at the 12 week mark so that they will be able to stay home the entire time.  However, my doctor's office will date it at 6 weeks. 

I was home only 6 weeks with DD for different reasons and it was absolutely painful to go back so soon.  I planned to stay off 12 weeks this time, but my doctor's office is making this impossible (we can't afford 6 weeks w/o pay with 2 kids).  I was thinking that I could at least be home 8 weeks if I schedule my pp appointment at the 8 week mark instead of the 6 week mark.  Do you think it's a bad decision to wait that long to see the doctor?  I had no stitches, no tearing, and a normal vaginal birth.  What would you do?  I am already at 5+ weeks, so I have to make a decision on what to do ASAP.

bmp84

Why won't they help you out? That is ridiculous! Maybe your pedi could help you out and say that you need to stay home longer with LO?

RHitch

I don't understand why they won't help me out either.  I think its so selfish!  I am not asking them to lie.  I am just asking them to date the letter at the 12 week mark.

alli&pat

RHitch:

I don't understand why they won't help me out either.  I think its so selfish!  I am not asking them to lie.  I am just asking them to date the letter at the 12 week mark.

But they aren't writing it at the 12 week mark which I imagine is the issue.  I would ask the doc 2 things - either you go in at 6wks, don't get the letter and go back at 12wks to get another check-up and get the letter?  Or they date it as they are writing it - at the 6wk mark - but stating within the body of the letter that you are out until 12 wks for physical healing and emotional bonding with your child?

FWIW, my doc's office does the second thing.  They write me out physically for 6wks and emotionally for another 6. 

If they don't agree to either of these, I would just push my appt back several weeks to get more time out of work.

g8orell

alli&pat:

RHitch:

I don't understand why they won't help me out either.  I think its so selfish!  I am not asking them to lie.  I am just asking them to date the letter at the 12 week mark.

But they aren't writing it at the 12 week mark which I imagine is the issue.  I would ask the doc 2 things - either you go in at 6wks, don't get the letter and go back at 12wks to get another check-up and get the letter?  Or they date it as they are writing it - at the 6wk mark - but stating within the body of the letter that you are out until 12 wks for physical healing and emotional bonding with your child?

FWIW, my doc's office does the second thing.  They write me out physically for 6wks and emotionally for another 6. 

If they don't agree to either of these, I would just push my appt back several weeks to get more time out of work.

I agree with this. I'ma PA at a children's hospital and I'll ask my patients' parents when they want to go back to work (i.e. if their kid has been hospitalized). I'll write hte letter the date I'm writing it, but I'll say that the kid needs 24 hour care for the next 3 weeks or whatever, so the mom can return to work on X date.

RHitch

Thanks everyone!  I just called back to my doctor's office and told them my dilemna.  The MAs told me if I wait longer than 6 weeks for a follow up then it will not be covered as a PP appointment.  Instead, she told me to come in at 6 weeks but not to mention the letter.  She told me to call up there when I am ready to go back to work and they will date the letter based on when I ask for it.  That way, no one will be lying and I will still be able to stay off of work the entire time.

g8orell

RHitch:

Thanks everyone!  I just called back to my doctor's office and told them my dilemna.  The MAs told me if I wait longer than 6 weeks for a follow up then it will not be covered as a PP appointment.  Instead, she told me to come in at 6 weeks but not to mention the letter.  She told me to call up there when I am ready to go back to work and they will date the letter based on when I ask for it.  That way, no one will be lying and I will still be able to stay off of work the entire time.

PERFECT! Glad it works out for you! And I'm totally jealous you get paid! For both babies, I took 13 weeks off without pay But worth every (missing) penny!