How much time do you have for maternity leave?

jsjrol · September 2011

Hi ladies,

Sorry if this question is redundant, I am just wondering how much time you are all taking after your LO is born. My husband and I own a small business and he seems to think that I will be back on me feet for 10 hrs a day a couple of weeks after our LG is born. I keep telling him I want at least a month. Plus I am still not sure if we will have a natural birth or c-section. If it is the latter I'm sure I'll need a couple weeks more.

I know financially things will be tight without me at our store, but this is also our first baby & I want to soak up all the time I can with her before I have to go back to working 60+ hrs. a week!

I'd love to hear your plans for after your little one arrives.

Thanks!

karinothing · September 2011

For your husband I would tell him that the medical recovery time (this does not include bonding time) is 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section.

That being said, my husband and I are extremely lucky. I am going to take off 6 months, and DH gets 3 months. Do you have daycare set up? I know most centers don't take babies before 6 weeks.

KrisM86 · September 2011

FWIW, every OB/MW and most first time moms I have spoken to have said that you really need at least 6 weeks before returning to work full time, particularly if your job is very demanding and/or you will be on your feet all day.

I am lucky enough to be able to stay home with LO for at least 3-4 months. After that, I will be working part time as a nanny where I can bring LO.

weddingbells2010 · September 2011

6-8 weeks is the standard recovery time and that is what FMLA coverage guarantees you if your company is eligible. Above that, it's different for every company. I can take an additional 6 unpaid weeks or a full school year.

uncharch7 · September 2011

6 or 8wks depending on delivery. then DH will be staying home for 8wks to help save daycare costs... he has enough sick time to cover it.

karinothing · September 2011

weddingbells2010:
6-8 weeks is the standard recovery time and that is what FMLA coverage guarantees you if your company is eligible. Above that, it's different for every company. I can take an additional 6 unpaid weeks or a full school year.

FMLA = 12 weeks.

rockdragon · September 2011

Like pp's said 6-8 weeks is needed just for you to heal properly. I am lucky and get 17-19 weeks off after this DH will be a SAHD with LO and I will be back in the office.

MrsRebz2Be · September 2011

i will be taking 12 weeks (only 6 paid though)... my s/o will only get like a week off

NoodleM · September 2011

Even going back to work after a month seems very soon, I would explain to him that you need to heal and it could take longer than a month.

I'm in Canada so I'm taking a year.

LauraR326 · September 2011

I will be taking 12 weeks. IMO you will not be ready to go back to work in just 4 weeks, recovery time is at least 6-8 weeks depending the type of birth you have.

reason00 · September 2011

I'm also lucky enough to be getting 1 year off because I'm in Canada. Our government gives us 1 year paid leave. Some companies top up and give you more, mine doesn't.

1 month is definitely way too soon, I would take as much time off as you can.

iluvmylab · September 2011

I'm taking 12 weeks. Our leave is unpaid, but I've been planning for this and saving my sick/personal days for 5 years. We can roll over any unused time from previous years. I will have all 12 weeks paid thanks to this.

sap05e · September 2011

I am due 10/28 and will be out until 1/3. I am pretty sure I am going to stop working after my EDD even if she doesn't come for another 2 weeks. So I'll be out 9 weeks at the least, a few more if she comes early. I am using some vacation time and not getting paid for the rest of it

DallasHorn · September 2011

You are going to hear a wide variety of answers. Legally in the US, your company is required to grant you 12 weeks off (FMLA) IF that company meets certain criteria (like at least 50 employees). Some portion of those 12 weeks may or may not paid depending on your company and then some companies offer more generous leaves.

While there are some women who have no choice but to return to work sooner, the recommended recovery time is 6 weeks vaginal, 8 weeks c-section. You should keep in mind that if you need childcare, some won't even take babies younger than 6 weeks!

My company give 8 weeks full paid leave, 12 weeks full paid leave if medically necessary and then you can take vacation time on top of that. I anticipate taking 16 weeks with #3

MrsKujawski · September 2011

Dh and I are extremely lucky in that he got a promotion at work, and now makes enough that I don't have to work. I am working until Xmas break (I work at a day care and my EDD is Jan 7) and then after that I plan on staying home a few years. DH gets 2 weeks paternity.

I was told that if I were to go back to work I would have to wait 6-8 weeks to heal.

stardust317 · September 2011

I'm taking the maximum amount of time allowed by fmla. 12 weeks. I had about 100 hours of vacation/sick leave saved up, and I have short term disability, but depending on when baby girl makes her appearance, I may not not be eligible for it. I'm not currently sure how much of my leave will be paid.

earlysun · September 2011

I work for a school system, so I get 12 weeks off. I've been saving my leave forever so it will all be paid. I feel very fortunate, but still envious of the Canadians!

WifeyMommy2011 · September 2011

I am lucky enough to not have to work, I am due Dec 5th. Dh is working up until I go into labor and then taking off until after the new year.

Teffie · September 2011

I'm taking 5 months. Using a combination of maternity leave, PTO and savings.

trishinbanff · September 2011

I get a year in Canada

JLS0320 · September 2011

I get 12 wks, 7-9 of the wks will be paid depending on type of birth I have. Rest is unpaid leave

FabulousMrs.P · September 2011

8 weeks unpaid. I also work in a small family business.

tmmckenney · September 2011

FMLA allows any employee that has worked 1250 hours within the last year at a company of 50 employees or more up to 12 weeks job protected unpaid leave. At my current position, I was hired when I was about 10 weeks pregnant (end of March) and with my due date being Oct. 17, I cannot take FMLA. I haven't worked at the company long enough. My company does however offer short term disability. Meaning I can take off 6 weeks after the birth of my baby. During those 6 weeks, I am only getting paid for 4 (15 day interim period) and that 4 week pay is only 60% of average paycheck. DH can take FMLA, however it would be all unpaid and we cannot afford to have him off of work for 3 months.

Since you won your own company, this maybe different for you. I would tell DH that you would like at least 6 weeks off so you can bond with your baby. I think we all wish we had more time to spend with our LO, but we realize that in order for them to have a good life, some of us have to return to the work force.

Good luck to you and your family.

cecilyandgautam · September 2011

I'm taking the full 12 weeks allowed under FMLA as well as 3 additional weeks of sick leave I have saved up, so 15 in total. Since you're at a small business (less than 50?), FMLA probably doesn't apply but yes, if you have a c-section, I believe recovery time is supposed to be 6 weeks of mostly rest. Perhaps a grandparent could come help you when husband goes back to work? It's going to be hard to be recovering from major surgery & caring for a newborn by yourself.

mrsjenniferg2010 · September 2011

I am taking 6 to 8 weeks off. I work at day care, so my kids come to work with. I will be coming back as soon as she is 6 weeks.

lauran2010 · September 2011

I have a year off for mat leave, and ive had 12 weeks off for sick leave. (JOB REQUIRES TO MUCH HEAVY LIFTING) so my doctor wrote me off work. Im a care aide.. I would say any mommy needs at least 6months off work when a LO arrives. But im not sure how it works where you live. In British Columbia Canada we all only need 600hrs to have the full year off.

MrsT2008 · September 2011

I'm betting OP doesn't qualify for FMLA given that they own their own store (unless it's a franchise of a bigger company).

That aside, I am given 10 weeks paid under my company's short term disability policy and will use other week or two of PTO. All in all, I'm taking about 3 months

alber2am · September 2011

between 8 to 10 weeks, my short term disability doesn't kick in for 2 weeks so I have PTO time I can use until it does and then I get 6 weeks for vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for c-section. I am allowed up to 12 weeks but money would be tight if I were off without pay.

kscarlett5683 · September 2011

The reality is that although standard disability is 6-8 weeks minimum, many people simply cannot afford it. Daycare would most likely be a problem in most places; it is true that many don't take infants before 6 weeks.

When you own your own business, this can be really tough. I get it. It's also tough if you can't afford the cut in pay for disability if your company doesn't match the rest.

My suggestion would be to take a look at your roles in the company (you said it was a store). Perhaps you can take on some of the paperwork that could be done at home and work while still taking care of the baby? That would be difficult for sure, but maybe you can get something done when the baby sleeps.

There might be other possibilities, but something along those lines might make life easier.

Ready4life · September 2011

I only work 3 days a week, so I'll be back in a few weeks after birth hopefully. We need the money and I'm thinking last time being home alone for so long might have contributed to my PP.

rubycitrine · September 2011

I am planning to take 3.5 months, a combination of SD, Family Leave and vacation time.

faithmua · September 2011

karinothing:

weddingbells2010:
6-8 weeks is the standard recovery time and that is what FMLA coverage guarantees you if your company is eligible. Above that, it's different for every company. I can take an additional 6 unpaid weeks or a full school year.

FMLA = 12 weeks.

Standard FMLA is 12 weeks, but it can also vary based on where you live. Because I work in DC, I can take 16 weeks under FMLA. However, I'm taking about 11 weeks (only about 6 paid) and my husband is taking 6 because he has enough sick leave to do so.

Novas Mommy · September 2011

Im taking two weeks before my due date (i think he's coming early) because of pre-term labor and then work gives the max (8 weeks) for leave regardless of whether it's a c-section or a vaginal birth. I have to come back for a couple of days since my year with the company is a little bit longer than with the leave. After that, im going to be leaving again for a month. I have some PTO saved up so that should help.

keluptown · September 2011

I am taking 8 weeks off paid and have not decided if I will take any additional non paid. I work from my home office so I should be ok with the 8 weeks.

2-Step · September 2011

Our company offers 8 weeks unpaid and we can take vacation time after that (we barely don't qualify for FMLA). I negotiated 12 weeks unpaid because I want to save my vacation time for a trip I have planned next summer.

I do have a private STD policy that will pay for about a month's worth of pay or a little more. Other than that I have just been stocking away money in savings! DH doesn't get pat leave, but he will take 1 week of PTO. I'm still really nervous to recover from my c-section with a toddler at home after DH goes back to work!

jnewman0510 · September 2011

karinothing:

weddingbells2010:
6-8 weeks is the standard recovery time and that is what FMLA coverage guarantees you if your company is eligible. Above that, it's different for every company. I can take an additional 6 unpaid weeks or a full school year.

FMLA = 12 weeks.

FMLA does state 12 weeks max for new baby leave.. BUT medically they only pay you for 6 weeks (vaginal delivery) or 8 weeks (C/S), if you wish to take the remainder of your 12 weeks off it's up to you (paid if you have extra earned time or not paid) without loss of a job, but again based on employer. First poster was correct.

MesmrEwe · September 2011

I grew up in a family business so know it's A LOT different than someone just showing up to work for someone else... The funny part is, I had planned to maybe be off a week or two after DD was delivered but my FIL insisted that I not only take most of the month off before she was born, but at least a month to two months off after she was born! I was going SO stir crazy!! All along I figured, the baby is going to sleep most of the time, there's no reason I can't sit at a window and sell tickets and be the "extra person" there.

You know, play it by ear! You may want to be back with baby in tow within a week after delivery just to do some light duty stuff that you don't need to be on your feet for. Since you own the business, it's actually great to get your kids brought up around the business and know what the expecations are from day one for them when they are there with Mom & Dad. They won't consider it a "loss of their childhood" down the road, they'll consider it "Wow! This is basic stuff that I've known since I was a kid" when it comes to work, and if anything they'll be better future leaders because of it.

This time around, I'm a SAHM, so my "maternity leave" consists of the 48 hours after delivering LO before it's back to work 100% for me... Oh how I wish being a SAHM was actually light duty work!!! (I'm also the landscaper, snow shoveler, laundry lady, dishwasher, chef, etc. etc. etc.)...

xtencornfield · September 2011

I'm allowed 12 weeks unpaid via FMLA with my company. I'm taking 7 to 8 weeks (no matter what going back on December 5) because I only have that much PTO to cover my time off since my kids were born close together (I took the full 12 weeks with DS). I think a month is a little too soon. 6 weeks would be the minimum I would take (i.e. recovery time for vaginal delivery).

MrsT2008 · September 2011

jnewman0510:
karinothing:

weddingbells2010:
6-8 weeks is the standard recovery time and that is what FMLA coverage guarantees you if your company is eligible. Above that, it's different for every company. I can take an additional 6 unpaid weeks or a full school year.

FMLA = 12 weeks.

FMLA does state 12 weeks max for new baby leave.. BUT medically they only pay you for 6 weeks (vaginal delivery) or 8 weeks (C/S), if you wish to take the remainder of your 12 weeks off it's up to you (paid if you have extra earned time or not paid) without loss of a job, but again based on employer. First poster was correct.

FMLA doesn't require payment at all. Any pay received while on leave comes from somewhere else (usually a disability/leave policy)

vanessa11411 · September 2011

I work for a temp agency and my current assignment ends September 30th. So i'll be going back on unemployment until I give bitrth then do 6 weeks. Depending if my temp agency can find me another assignment, I'll probably be staying home until I can find a job. DH gets 2 weeks and then he plans on taking every Monday or Friday off from work until his PFM is over. His company doesn't go through the state of california, they have their own insurance for that and it's pretty awesome because it's paid 100%.

shannyn0 · September 2011

I will be taking 8 weeks total. 6 weeks full pay of company maternity leave and 2 additional weeks of PTO.

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