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XP: Mat leave question

JGM281207JGM281207 member
in Canada Babies

Hi ladies, I'm about 3 months away from my first and need a Canadian perspective on this.  On the baby boards (mainly Americans) everyone always says they want to work right up until they deliver, since they only have 6-8 weeks off.  I was just wondering if you did the same thing.  I mean I know I will appreciate being home with baby as long as possible next spring, but I also think it would be nice to not be sitting here 39 weeks pregnant. ( I already get asked 'how are you feeling' 10 times a day!)

Also, do I have to get special permission to start my Mat leave early (I'm thinking 2 weeks prior to my due date), or do I just let my HR dept know that is the plan. 

TIA!
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Lyla Margaret , June 7, 2009 Tavis Tutty, January 5, 2012
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Re: XP: Mat leave question

  • stewiegriffinstewiegriffin
    I replied on the other board...
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  • goldenprincessgoldenprincess

    With DS I worked up until 2 weeks before my EDD I ended up being 2 weeks late before I delivered.  With this baby, my last day will be June 1st and I am due on June 11th.  I think that deciding when to leave is very dependant on what type of work you do too .  My job is not really physically demanding so for me it is fine to go as close to my EDD as possible.  If I had a really physical job then I would probably want to leave at least 1 month before.  Also, I think that you can start your Mat leave up to 2 months before your EDD and you should give your employer a written notice 6 weeks prior to leaving.

    Having the extra time with the baby may come in handy later on as far as childcare goes.  Just keep in mind that it is very difficult sometimes to find good available dayhome/daycare postions for LO's under 3 yrs old in this country right now.  Many places have waiting lists so if you are planning on going back to work then make sure you start looking for childcare early.  Having that extra Mat leave time will come in handy while you are waiting for a position to open up.

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  • Yvonne0721Yvonne0721

    I took 5 weeks off, 3 of which were vacation I had to use though, so 2 were technicially mat leave but there is also a 2 week waiting period for benefits so that impacted it too.

    I decided to take time off before EDD b/c my job was super demanding (I'm talking like working till 2-3 am most nights - I don't miss that) and I was on the road a lot. So I needed some time, i sure am glad I took it too, the rest was much needed! IThe best thing we did though was DH took 1 week off before DD was born too. It gave us some really special alone time together and it was important to him to get some rest from his physically demanding job too. That way when DD did come he was able to really help out without feeling exhausted from work.

     

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  • TLC03-10-11TLC03-10-11
    I worked until week 35, I was just really tired and found it hard working all day long with preschoolers (I do skill development with preschoolers who have developmental delays).  My Dr put me off on sick leave until the baby was born and my mat leave started the day following her birth.  I have paid sick leave in my current position so it didn't take away from my mat leave.
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  • GonnaBeAmandaBGonnaBeAmandaB
    I took about a 1 1/2 weeks of vacation and then started my mat leave on my due date.  DS was a couple days late so I go back a few days before his 1st birthday.  I was so unproductive at the end and so tired of being there, but it is nice to have the time off with DC, especially because this age is so much fun!  I think as far as your work, you just need to give them sufficient notice of when you are planning on being off.  It's your choice though.
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  • Brookie-CookieBrookie-Cookie

    i intended to work up until my due date but I was way too uncomfortable.  I ended up stopping about 2 wks before my due date but I was 10 days late so I ended up with 3.5 wks off before hand. 

    I don't think you need to have specila permission or anything.  There were some guidelines in my employee info about when you had to tell them you were pg/needing to take mat leave but not about when you would be going.  Just be open with your employer. 

    To do over, I would still try to work as long as possible. 

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  • clayswifeclayswife
    I had to use 20 days of holidays (they wouldn't pay me out), so I worked up to 36 weeks, took the holidays and then went on EI.  DS was 11 days late.  It was waaay too long for time off.  In hindsight, I should have worked 4 day weeks for the last 20 weeks or 3-day weeks for the last 10 weeks- anything to keep a little busier.
    DS 06.26.08 DD 10.23.10
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  • AlilivAliliv member
    Do you have sick days or holidays that you could use up before your mat leave.  A friend of mine took 2 weeks off prior to delivery using those days and then she started her mat leave.  It worked out wonderfully for her!
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  • Jen&Joe06Jen&Joe06 member
    Check if your employer has any policies on when you should take your vacation pre/post mat leave. Mine strongly recommends that you take it at the end.
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  • Lori Loves MattLori Loves Matt member

    With DD#1 I worked until 36 weeks.  I wanted to have a few weeks to relax (as best as I could) before the baby came.  I was really looking forward to those weeks.  Unfortunately Annabel had other ideas.  My last day of work was January 27th, she was born January 29th. 

    With DD#2 I worked until 37 weeks. 

    It was getting really uncomfortable sitting at my desk all day.  I don't think I could have made it to the end.  I feel really fortunate to live here in Canada where we can stop working a few weeks before delivery and still have plenty of time at home with the baby before we have to go back to work. I feel bad when I see the American girls posting about going back to work at 8 weeks.

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  • Brookie-CookieBrookie-Cookie
    Lori, it makes me sad too.  8 weeks and less just seems short and backwards. 
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  • clayswifeclayswife

    Our mat leave makes me SO thankful to be Canadian.  My cousin lives just across the border and his wife only had 4 weeks with each of her LOs.  I can't freaking imagine.  They're talking about moving up here, but trying to move with 2 kids, the limited work and house prices, well, it's not easy.

    DS 06.26.08 DD 10.23.10
    imageimage
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  • Lori Loves MattLori Loves Matt member
    imageclayswife:

    Our mat leave makes me SO thankful to be Canadian.  My cousin lives just across the border and his wife only had 4 weeks with each of her LOs.  I can't freaking imagine.

    That is awful.  After four weeks I was just starting to feel like human being again.  I was finally feeling like I was getting the hang of this mom thing.  I can't imagine having to go back to work at that point.Sad

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  • jenber77jenber77

    You can start your maternity leave up to 8 weeks before your due date.

    https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/special.shtml#Maternity3

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