Is 6 wks off enough?? Opinions please!!

purplngldkitty · March 2010

Is 6 weeKS ENOUGH TO TAKE OFF? I KNOW THAT'S THE NORM BUT EVERYTIME I TELL SOMEONE THAT IM ONLY TAKING 6 WKS THEY SAY "OH IS THAT IT?? YOU SHOULD TAKE MORE!!" BTW I'M A TEACHER DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! WHAT DO U THINK?? OPINIONS PLEASE!!!! (SORRY ABOUT CAPS (IPHONE!!!!!))

butterbeansmama · March 2010

I believe the recommended is:

6 weeks for a vaginal delivery

8 weeks for a c-section delivery

It really depends on the person though. I took 14 weeks with my first and had a vaginal delivery, but was physically ready after a few weeks. My problem was being emotionally ready.

tlmommy2b:) · March 2010

I am a teacher and I am taking all 12 weeks that is offered. I had a friend who was due at the beginning of the year and took her 12 weeks. Remember that this is time with your LO vs. Other people's kids...you will probably want to spend the time at home.

lkf041 · March 2010

I took 2 weeks off with my first, but my situation is different, I work from home. I'd say 6 weeks is fine, you'll feel 100% again, but I can't imagine leaving a 6 week old baby.

sarasek · March 2010

Depends on your situation. I'm going to be a FTM and I just don't think 6 weeks will be enough for me to adjust... I'm taking the full 12.

princessjenney · March 2010

You'll be fine. I used to be in the Air Force and 6 weeks is the standard maternity leave length. I know alot of women who did fine with this amount of time. As long as you have a game plan for child care when you do go back to work, you'll make it all work.

charlies-angel · March 2010

6 weeks is standard for most jobs. Luckily I get to take more (I am also a teacher and I will get 6 weeks plus summer vacation), but I guess you have to work with what you get!

berrybuzz · March 2010

im not currently working, but Mat. leave is way different here in the states then it is in Ontario Canada, a new mother has the first year off (this can be spit with your partner or the mother gets a full year). so you dont have to worry about going back to work until your baby is a year old. and that year is paid for (a percentage of what your actual wages would be) and your job will be waiting for you when you get back

MrsDCruz · March 2010

I only plan on taking 6 weeks off, my daycare is my Mom who lives 1/2 between my house and my office.. which is only a ten minute drive total...

Azrayla · March 2010

I plan to take six..I might take 8 if financially I can push it..If I wasnt put on bedrest I could probably have taken longer but since I can only work 20 hrs a week now that has posed a little problem.

I was told some girls go back after two weeks..it depends on how you feel..I think 6 weeks is fine..I had originally planned only 4 then added two..just because I'd like the time with LO..

MelonieK · March 2010

I definitely don't think it's enough time, but I don't have a choice. I had to fight for my 6 weeks. I get 3 weeks paid vacation, and then will work from home for 3 weeks. I have the option of two additional weeks unpaid. I just don't know if finances will allow for it.

JBrianne · March 2010

Yeah, reading all these posts about how tough it is in the US to have mat leave and the short times allowed (not to mention all the health care stuff!) make me really, really glad to live in Ontario.

While I imagine 6 weeks is fine for physical preparedness, if you have a longer allowable time (someone else mentioned 12 weeks?), I don't see why you shouldn't take it.

star173 · March 2010

If you can take longer, I'd advise it.

Butrfli779 · March 2010

I'd say to each his own, depends on your personal preference. And I don't really know if you can make that decision until closer to your due date. When I first found out I was pg, I fully intended on taking the 6wks, going back to work full time, and being fine with it. As time came closer and things became more "real" per say... we decided it would be best for me to stay home full time after the baby. I agree w/ pp, I can't imagine leaving a 6wk old at a babysitter! Anyways, that is my POV, gl w/ your decision!

velvetflip · March 2010

No way, it wouldn't have been enough for me....easy for me to say, b/c I am a SAHM, but even when I was working, most women took 12 weeks.

chazlewo · March 2010

I'm taking four. (contracted employee= no benefits including PTO) DH is a graduate student, so he'll be helping a lot. I would love to take more time, but it is what it is... (oh to live outside of the US and have the ability to take a year! you ladies are very lucky!)

teamsweet · March 2010

I'm only going to take 6 weeks but then work 3 days a week (with baby in day care). I think emotionally it will be tough, but you do what you have to do. If I could afford to take more time (i.e. not get paid), I would.

BethPSU · March 2010

I stopped working before DS was born, but I remember thinking after 6 weeks that there was no way I would be able to go to work. Everything still seemed so new. I was still SOOOO tired. I do, however, think that going to work really forces a schedule and may actually make things more manageable. Being home all day and breastfeeding on demand was exhausting. I hope to get a better schedule early on this time around!

Qrichar1 · March 2010

I am taking 8 weeks, but think I may just do 6 weeks. I believe you will be fine. It would be nice to stay at home and bond with LO, but not everyone has the money to do so and from my understanding, jobs may give an amount of time, but you are not paid for it. Do what you think is best!

Mrs.V · March 2010

I seriously can't imagine leaving a 6 week old baby!! In Canada that's unheard of so it's hard for me to imagine. I was still an emotional mess at 6 weeks pp and DS seemed so dependent on me 24-7 at that age! Do you put them in daycare at this age? If you can take more time, I would. You would be ok physically but it would benefit your baby if you had the option to take a few more weeks! Are you legally allowed to have 12 weeks?

lilygirl · March 2010

I'd take at least 8 if you can. I realize 6 weeks is standard but think a couple more weeks can't hurt both your emotional readiness and feeling like you have a bit more of a handle on having a new baby.

mburkhe · March 2010

6 weeks is the "recovery" time, but take into consideration the frequent night feedings and the energy it takes to care for a newborn. I highly recommend taking all the time you can. I had 12 weeks off and it didn't seem like enough.

Bedrestbabe · March 2010

I don't think that is enough. I thought most people took 3 months using fmla, it is unpaid, but still. I'm scaling back returning after 7 months, working part time 4 hrs per day, my work is based on the number of cases I take on so it allows for flexibility. I couldn't imagine leaving a 6 week old though, I am a first time mom and I think I would still be getting into my mommy groove.

mysticporter · March 2010

Depends on the situation, and sometimes it's hard to tell ahead of time. Presuming all goes well, I'm taking 4 week off and then teleworking for 2-4 more. With DD I started back limited duties (I was a grad student TA) in a couple of weeks.

Generally 6 weeks vaginal, 8 weeks C-section is a good idea. It's rare, but some women can have issues with post-partum hemorrhage, which is why most doctors want to see the mom around 6 weeks post-partum to clear them to return to more physical activity.

KeepingItLowKey · March 2010

I took 6 weeks with DD and it was plenty, I'll be taking off 6 weeks again assuming I have a vaginal delivery.

eta- DD was really easy and slept through the night consistently by 2 weeks... I only get 6 weeks paid and am the primary breadwinner, DH works from home and is a SAHD so he will be here... and I don't work a traditional 9-5 schedule either.?

ChristinaD09 · March 2010

I am taking 6 weeks as well. That's what was offered, and I had just started my job, so I didn't feel like I could really request alot more. He said if I choose not to go back at all, that's fine, though (I would only be working for 5 weeks past that 6 week point, because of a job transition).

I will warn you--I have read alot on baby emotional/mental development in the last few months, and everything I have read indicated that the longer you can stay with your baby for the first three months, the better off the baby will be in the long term (it has to do with being constantly or regularly cared for). My mom is watching LO, and that's why I can stomach the idea of leaving him at 6 weeks--I know she'll give him as much loving as I could.

LovePink2850 · March 2010

All you need to do to prevent caps on the iphone is turn your Javascript off. You can do that in settings under safari.

Anyways, I am taking off 12 weeks. I think 6 is too short. By 12 weeks, I am hoping to be in a routine with myself and the baby.

cajungirl0717 · March 2010

I am only taking 6 weeks off because that is all we can afford right now. I only have 4 weeks of the 6 weeks paid because our FMLA must come out of sick and vacation first. I will be doing the last 2 weeks leave without pay. DH is in medschool and so we can't afford to go without more than 1 lost paycheck.

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