Maternity Leave Questions

Kalye

I am at a new job (have not told my boss yet) and I know that by the time that LO comes along in October I will have about 2weeks pto.Total I will be able to take 3 weeks off without hurting our finances to much. DH will be able to take 3weeks pto and we have discused him taking it after I go back to work so that at least the first 6weeks we dont have to worry about childcare. Is it normal or even possible to go back to work after 3 weeks ? While we are saving and I will have a check from school come August which is great help im worried we will be in a bind of me not being able to go back to work so soon. I am the "bread winner" so my income is very important. Any suggestions on what we should do?

telfakaye

That is a short leave but def do-able. You should feel pretty good physically by then and at least you're putting yourself in the mindset that you'll have a short leave

JLS0320

It would definitely be difficult in my opinion, but after a vaginal birth you would most likely be physically capable of going to work. After a c-section though it would be really hard. I have had both and my csection recovery has been very difficult.

EastCoastBride

Technically, yes, sure, it's doable.  But never in a million years would I want to go back after only 3 weeks. I was a wreck at that point.  I was just feeling relatively human at 6 weeks.  8 weeks was when I felt like "I could go back if I needed to".

katiewhompus

It would depend on the type of birth and recovery. I had a vaginal with an episiotomy/tear and couldn't even walk up our stairs at three weeks, much less go to work.

waTracy

I think it depends on how your birth goes. It probably took me 3 weeks to be able to walk ok and for the edema to go down. I know I couldn't go back after 3 weeks. I think, like the other ladies mentioned, talking to your OB is key. There is a chance he/she won't feel you can go back to work after three weeks. Your body goes through a lot birthing a child

sunflwra

Does your company provide short term disability coverage? If so, that would provide you with some pay (usually at least 60%) for the first 6-8 weeks depending on the type of delivery. I would confirm this with your HR department just to be sure- hopefully it's something that covers you and you won't have to rely solely on PTO.

mommabear7182

Sounds like a very short leave, but completely doable. Try to get LO on a routine as soon as possible, maybe even do some "practice runs" where you'll do the routine and then "leave for work".

Maybride2

EastCoastBride:

Technically, yes, sure, it's doable.  But never in a million years would I want to go back after only 3 weeks. I was a wreck at that point.  I was just feeling relatively human at 6 weeks.  8 weeks was when I felt like "I could go back if I needed to".

This. There is no way that I was physically or emotionally ready to work at 3 weeks postpartum. I was still very much in survival mode, crying all day and sweating and bleeding. You've got 30-some weeks to come up with a better plan than what you have now, I'd work on one.

emberlee3

With your first baby, I really don't think it's realistic to expect to be able to go to work at 3 weeks PP. Sure, some women feel great.  More of the FTMs I know take quite a while to recover.  I am not trying to scare you, but sometimes delivery can be rough and your body needs time to heal.

madhatter2003

I agree with the others. Sure you could do it, and some women do go back early. But with over 30 weeks to go (give or take) I'd start saving now so that you can take a month-6w off.  

seahorse102410

No I do  not think 3 weeks is doable.  I think you are going to need a minimum of 6.  Start saving

st.augbride

I would do whatever is necessary to find other options to stay home longer. you probably can do it, but you will likely not be ready in any way, shape or form. can they advance your leave? can you save ahead to cover more time? Can any family members help financially? I think I would consider all options that allow you to stay home longer.

st.augbride

Also, just wanted to add that while things will likely go smoothly, you never know what is going to happen. Dss came early and was in the NICU for two weeks. So, for me, at 3 weeks, he was 4lbs and home for just one week... I had plenty of leave saved up, but not enough to cover the new amount of time I needed to get ds safely in daycare given the situation, so my supervisor let me work from home a bit to stretch out my leave. maybe you can do that too.