bedrest or not? dr leaving it up to me at this point

tnkrbl21 · March 2009

After my contractions episode this week, he wanted to err on the conservative side and pull me out of work (didn't necessarily say strict bedrest) but after 2 cervical checks and a neg FFN and a promise to take it easy for the weekend, and the oral terb which has seemed to stop the contrax he said I was ok to go back to work.

Here's my dilemma - I want to stop work soooo much! I'm a teacher so I can't work from home of just cut back my hours so stopping would be stopping completely. I've been out of work since thurs at this point and it's been great (I know that's so not the same as another 6 weeks). But there is also part of me that knows that being off my feet and not dealing with work will be great for me and the babies. However, if I leave now I fear that it would be like the crash of 1929 around here. I would lose my salary for probably the months of may and june (possibly some of april) bc I only have about 30 sick days saved up. Plus, my FMLA time owuld run out before the end of the school year so I would have to pay for COBRA for the summer which is 1300$ per month. Putting us at that kind of financial disadvantage scares the crap out of me especially when the dr said I could go back to work.

I know there isn't really any hard and fast answer here, but I was just venting. Thanks for listening.

tnkrbl21 · March 2009

oh and i should add that I already plan on leaving on March 30th (35 wks) at which point I would only lose most of june's salary (but not all) and my insurance would be fine.

jensahokie · March 2009

If you could get a few more weeks in, would that help with your medical coverage? I don't know much about teachers' schedules, but it sounds like with the neg FFN that it might be okay to give it a try. You could try to put your feet up more during the day if you aren't already. That is a tough spot. I had to use COBRA a few years ago and it is very expensive (and still requires a co-pay). For me, financial strain is VERY stressful because I hate worrying about money that we can't control.

Best of luck!

jensahokie · March 2009

oops... I didn't see your second post. I would try to make it to the 30th... I am assuming you will see the OB more often now, anyway?

JackiTiger · March 2009

I'm sorry you're dealing with money stressors. They suck. Are half days for March an option that would work for your insurance, your job and your doc? Your district makes you take FMLA time over the summer and then pay your insurance if you run out? I'm dealing with the same issue in NJ, but down here that scenario is completely unheard of and our union is freaking out with a grievance and potential federal lawsuit over it.

tnkrbl21 · March 2009

JackiTiger:

I'm sorry you're dealing with money stressors. They suck. Are half days for March an option that would work for your insurance, your job and your doc? Your district makes you take FMLA time over the summer and then pay your insurance if you run out? I'm dealing with the same issue in NJ, but down here that scenario is completely unheard of and our union is freaking out with a grievance and potential federal lawsuit over it.

As it was explained to me, on the last day of the school year (june 26th or soemthing like that) I needed to have only used 59 of my 60 FMLA days - I guess so that one carries me over the summer, which makes no sense to me since I plan on returning to work on the first day of school next year. If I use all of my 60 days before the end of the school year, I would have to pay for COBRA for the summer months - none of it makes sense.

lrrb · March 2009

I would go back to work....but thats just me. You do what your body is telling you....but your right this economy scares the CRAP out of me so if it were me I would be working if the doctor told me I could. Of course if he said I couldn't then I wouldn't...Im not talking about putting your babies health at risk of course....

JackiTiger · March 2009

tnkrbl21:
JackiTiger:

I'm sorry you're dealing with money stressors. They suck. Are half days for March an option that would work for your insurance, your job and your doc? Your district makes you take FMLA time over the summer and then pay your insurance if you run out? I'm dealing with the same issue in NJ, but down here that scenario is completely unheard of and our union is freaking out with a grievance and potential federal lawsuit over it.

As it was explained to me, on the last day of the school year (june 26th or soemthing like that) I needed to have only used 59 of my 60 FMLA days - I guess so that one carries me over the summer, which makes no sense to me since I plan on returning to work on the first day of school next year. If I use all of my 60 days before the end of the school year, I would have to pay for COBRA for the summer months - none of it makes sense.

Ugh, what a pain. Does your union agree with that assessment? I'm sorry...I hope everything works out.

speak-ez · March 2009

I know at my school after your 12 wks fmla the insurance is gone. How they figure out the prorated pay is beyond me. I often think they could rip off so many teachers because it's so confusing!!!

Anyway - if I were you and it would be safe to work I would. I would try to take it one day at a time thinking that each day is one day more pay/insurance. Take half days when you need them (sick) without calling them fmla. Also, use your personal days if you have them. If you get through this week and then have to stop then at least you made it one more week. I would try to stick it out through this month though. Heck, call off every friday so you're working 4 day weeks if you need to.

jlc071903 · March 2009

Can you do 1/2 days? What about working just a few days a week? I of course would immediately say go on BR, but I totally understand about medical costs/issues. i don't know...this is a toughie b/c the last thing you want is those babies to come early. KWIM?

mhop · March 2009

Make sure you make friends with someone in your benefits office and ask them what your options are. I talked to our benefits person several times to figure out what to do (DD was a preemie so I ended up leaving much earlier than I thought). I found out that if I worked only the last day of school I could get back on the insurance so maybe an option like that is available to you. If you find someone who is nice in benefits, hopefully they will help you figure out what's best in your situation.

BensWife · March 2009

I was in a similar situation with my son. I had preterm labor and the dr said that I could get out of work. I wasn't on a strict bedrest, but he didn't want me on my feet all day like you have to be when you are teaching. I left work Jan 29th and had the baby March 5th. I took a medical disability until he was born, and then started the FMLA 12 weeks after that. It was a struggle to get my school district to do it, but they finally did. I also got disability payments for a little while through PERA. If you've been teaching 5 years (I think it is 5 years) you qualify. It isn't much and there is a waiting period, but it helped us a little. And also, I went back to work the last day of school, and by doing that I was able to keep my insurance over the summer. I did all that, and I was only pg with one - not twins! If it was me, I would stop working. The babies are more important than work. Maybe you can do half days for a couple weeks and see how it goes like someone else suggested. Good luck!

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bedrest or not? dr leaving it up to me at this point

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