Maternity Leave Question - how many weeks?

NHRunner · February 2012

Curious how many weeks most of you took off? I only have 6 weeks paid but there is also FMLA. Is the average about 12 weeks? Is 6 really even long enough? This is my first pregnancy so I really have no idea of what will be "right" for me and the baby.

Strunella · February 2012

I took a total of 13 weeks. 6 were paid, 4 were vacation, and 3 were unpaid. If you can save vacation time or take any time unpaid, I would recommend doing so. At 6 weeks, you're still in shock and exhausted. Obviously everyone is different, but I would never have been ready to return to work after 6 weeks.

madhatter2003 · February 2012

I took 17w and 20w...my company protected my job longer than the 12w for FMLA.

Take as long as you can afford in my experience. The time off is precious and you'll never get those early weeks back. Many women do go back at 6w when their pay runs out, but if you can do it, take as long as you can.

MammaBear81 · February 2012

My fist two I took 6 weeks, third 2 weeks, fourth 1 week (all unpaid). My last one I took 9 weeks and 8 weeks were paid between ML pay and vacation time. I wish I could have taken at least 9 weeks (or more) with all of them. If you are unsure, I would plan for the full 12 weeks, and if you want to come back early, that should be, OK... it's harder to ask for "more time" if you don't feel you took enough.

mommabear7182 · February 2012

With my second I took off 14 weeks. This one I'm hoping to take off 12-13. I agree with PP, you never get those early weeks back.

Tink112011 · February 2012

I had a little over 12 weeks. While more would have been nice, I felt like 12 was long enough (barely). 6 weeks is definitely not long enough IMO and I give total props to the moms that do it and make it work.

The difference between a 6 week old baby and a 12 week old baby is HUGE. 12 weekers have a more consistent sleeping and feeding schedule, are a lot less fussy, and are much more independent. Similarly, you feel so much more "normal" at 12 weeks than 6. I was mentally ready to return to work at 12 weeks, but any sooner I think I would have had a lot harder time making the transition.

Take as much as you can afford to. You'll thank yourself.

mben1119 · February 2012

I took 10 weeks-8 weeks STD, and 2 weeks PTO time. I couldn't afford to take any unpaid time.

jenny2508 · February 2012

I took 9 weeks. All of them were paid for but the 8 I was able to take as sick time because I had a C-section and the other 1 I took as personal leave.

FriskyPanda · February 2012

I was out 7 weeks.

jllmb79 · February 2012

20 weeks and still felt it wasn't enough....10 paid 10 unpaid

AZ123 · February 2012

I took 16 weeks with both kids and I'm so glad that I did. I got 55% of my salary but we financially planned for it.

Jinsy80 · February 2012

6 months with DD1. 18 weeks with DD2. Everyone is different, but 18 weeks wasn't long enough for me, let alone 6 or 12 weeks. We just swing it so I can have extra time off. I'm allowed 6 months off for maternity leave...

UsedToBeGoldie · February 2012

i would take every week you are allowed to take (paid or not) and maintain your job.

I took 18 weeks with DS1 and 20 with the twins (I got 2 extra b/c it was a c/s). The first 6-8 were fully paid the rest were not - i saved up to afford it.

you'll never regret taking time off with your babies... it's the only time you can do it - so do it all you can

ns1 · February 2012

I took 8 weeks. It was the max I could take and still get paid for most of it. I got 5 weeks pay from short term disability, and the other 3 weeks I had vacation and sick time saved. I knew 6 weeks would be much to short, but I figured at 12 weeks I would never want to go back to work. I would've liked to have more time, but it was nice to get back into some "adult" things.

katie4253 · February 2012

I was off for 7 months (long story, I quit my job). But, there is now way I could do it with less than 12 weeks.

katie4253 · February 2012

MammaBear81:
My fist two I took 6 weeks, third 2 weeks, fourth 1 week (all unpaid). My last one I took 9 weeks and 8 weeks were paid between ML pay and vacation time. I wish I could have taken at least 9 weeks (or more) with all of them. If you are unsure, I would plan for the full 12 weeks, and if you want to come back early, that should be, OK... it's harder to ask for "more time" if you don't feel you took enough.

Am I reading this right? You took 2 weeks and 1 week off for maternity leave? How it the heck did you do that? I cannot imagine going back to work 1-2 weeks after having a baby.

Whoo · February 2012

Take as much time as you can afford to. This is the time in your life when you are going to want as much time off as you can possibly get. I took my full FMLA leave and then some. You will fall head over heels in love with your baby, and you will cherish your time. You will also be exhausted taking care of your baby too.

Katy&KT · February 2012

I was planning on 12 weeks after the baby, but at my 35 week appointment I was put on bed rest so I talked to my employer and they are letting me have off all time prior to delivery plus 12 weeks after delivery. The entire time that I am "disabled" will be paid in full (so all time prior to delivery plus 6-8 weeks after delivery) and then I will take the remaining time off unpaid or I can use vacation time.

If you can afford it I would plan on taking 12 weeks off.

rac20585 · February 2012

I was off work for a total of 7 weeks (stopped working at 39 1/2 weeks, had the baby at 40 1/2 weeks) and went back to work at 6 weeks postpartum. I had a C-section and I have a pretty high energy, fast paced job. Was I feeling 100% when I went back to work? No way! But I was emotionally ready to go back because I love my job and I think that being at work actually helped me get into a nice, "normal" routine with my baby. 12 weeks would have been way too long for me....I love working and I think I'd go stir crazy!

jlsimon56 · February 2012

I got 5 weeks of maternity leave at partial pay from my company. I had to work until the baby came (maternity leave officially started when I stopped working). LO was 15 days late.

Once my 5 weeks were up, I took all the PTO I had accrued up to that point, so an extra 3 weeks.

If LO was due later in the year, I would have accrued more PTO and would have been able to take more time off. Sadly, it is making me reconsider my desire for a springtime baby b/c I won't have accrued much PTO by then.

I think my company's maternity leave sucks. But, at least it was something. I just would expect more from a big company - I've worked there 10 years.

sheryn2 · February 2012

My company doesn't have maternity leave so it was Disability and Leave of Absense for me. I was told by a mom of three that returning to work at 12 weeks was just barely doable and 20 weeks too long. I had thought I could only get 12 weeks protected by law, but this same person said my company was open to more so I requested 16 weeks and got it! 6 weeks was paid 80% for disability, 1 week paid vacation and 9 weeks unpaid. Most importantly is that I transitioned back to work: I retained vacation (with VP-level approval) so that I could return to work 4 days a week to start and worked from home every morning (with a babysitter), for 1 month. I would do it again that way in a heartbeat. Then I came back to work full time for two weeks which exhausted me, so went back to taking one afternoon off each week and working from home one afternoon. It's just doable. I wish I had taken LO's half-birthday off from work ---- I didn't realize how important it would be to me. I'm still exhausted, but I'm happy exhausted. Got an amazing babe and a good job.

Wishing you well!

laurakaz13 · February 2012

13 1/2 weeks. All were paid.

katiewhompus · February 2012

I went back at 7 weeks but had an arrangement with my boss where I continued taking off 1 day per week (so I would work Mon/Tue Thu/Fri) for an additional 5 weeks. It helped me transition back to work without burning all of my pto (and we couldn't financially swing me going unpaid for 6 weeks).

My advice would be to make sure you have some pto for the rest of the year. I went back to work with 12 days left on my pto for doctor visits, sick days, etc. and am still going to have to use unpaid leave by the end of the year.

shannm · February 2012

I took six last time and intend to take between 6-8 this time.

What you need will completely depend on you. I like to work. DS thrived at daycare. I had no problem with a short leave. But many other moms are different.

Jenny952 · February 2012

For me 6 weeks was not nearly enough time. I didn't think 12 was either. I got 8 weeks paid b/c I had a c/s and then I got 4 additional weeks unpaid. I also asked for 3 additional weeks, which I took unpaid. That was actually the perfect amount of time off. At 12 weeks I didn't feel ready but those 3 extra weeks really made a difference. It was tough financially but totally worth it.

Luckie519 · February 2012

DH and I both work for the same place, so we had to split our FMLA. I was put on bed rest 2 weeks before they induced me. I took a total of 9 weeks (7 after DS was born) and DH took 3 weeks to help me. I wish I could have taken more time, but my job wouldn't allow it unless there was a medical issue or something.

AsOctoberFalls · February 2012

12 weeks (6 paid at 60% through my AFLAC policy, and the rest unpaid). That's all my company would allow me to take.

Mrs.MLR04 · February 2012

I took 6 months off. The first 3.5 I used my sick time and the last 2.5 months I was on summer break. It was the perfect amount of time for me. I hope I'm lucky enough to do the same thing when we have another LO.

financialdiva · February 2012

I took 12 weeks, 4 weeks of it was STD at 60% pay. We saved money for the unpaid weeks. Start saving now. Even if it cuts into your nursary budget (which doesn't get used right away anyway because like PP's have mentioned, you will never regret taking off that time.

Paigeo · February 2012

I took 12 weeks off, 6 paid and 6 unpaid. When my 12 were done my DH took 8 weeks paternity leave.

katie_cj · February 2012

I'm in Canada, so I took 53 weeks.

It was something like 18 weeks of maternity, 32 weeks of parental and 3 weeks of vacation.

The vacation was 100% paid, the maternity was topped off at 90% or so, then the parental was 55% of pay.

EastCoastBride · February 2012

I took 12 weeks, some were unpaid. 6 weeks wouldn't have been long enough. Plus, you only get this time once - if you can afford to, stay home as long as you can.

FortMyersBride · February 2012

I took 7 wks with my first, 16 wks with my 2nd. I honestly thought 7 wks was fine, especially since I was going a little stir crazy at home in the snowy, grey winter.

16 wks felt long, but DD had some health issues that needed to be better sorted out before I left her with a nanny. If she had been an easier baby, I think 7-8 wks would have been fine again for me.

MammaBear81 · February 2012

katie4253:
MammaBear81:
My fist two I took 6 weeks, third 2 weeks, fourth 1 week (all unpaid). My last one I took 9 weeks and 8 weeks were paid between ML pay and vacation time. I wish I could have taken at least 9 weeks (or more) with all of them. If you are unsure, I would plan for the full 12 weeks, and if you want to come back early, that should be, OK... it's harder to ask for "more time" if you don't feel you took enough.
Am I reading this right? You took 2 weeks and 1 week off for maternity leave? How it the heck did you do that? I cannot imagine going back to work 1-2 weeks after having a baby.

It wasn't really my choice, I would have lost my job. After #4 I decided I needed to switch my line of work, for my family's sake. I would not recommend it to anyone if they had a choice.

naflmj · February 2012

I took 10 with DS and it was just fine...I didn't qualify for FMLA because I hadn't been at my job a year but I got 8 by contract and between that and 2 school vacations in the mix, I lucked out with 10. I certainly could have gone back at 6 weeks from a physical standpoint but DS didn't start sleeping well until about 8 weeks and it allowed me more time to establish a bit of a supply for continued nursing. This time I will be off for 12 weeks mat leave and then about 4-6 weeks prior due to the twin pregnancy. Those 4-6 weeks will be covered by STD as well as an additional 6-8 after but the rest will be unpaid.

karencz · February 2012

I stayed out 5 months but only 5 weeks paid, the rest unpaid. I am grateful for the job security of course. I would keep saving and stay out as long as possible even if it's unpaid. Many mommas go back at 6 weeks, but I know I couldn't have. I give props to those that have to! GL!

erbear · February 2012

I took 6 months with DD1 and 9 weeks with DD2. 9 weeks was plenty for me.

jenny1980 · February 2012

I took off six months. It ended up being more than I really needed--four would probably have been about right since I went back to work part-time. I would take the full 12 weeks under FMLA--at six months you are still SO sleep deprived and BFing (if that's your plan) is just becoming established.

alyss0nl · February 2012

I took 7 weeks off because I'm a new teacher and barely had any vacation built up. Didn't qualify for STD and FMLA where I live, so the next best option was to work up until labor and return in January with the new semester. It was definitely hard, but DS was already STTN and on a regular schedule. We made it wok.

ShenekaSoloman · February 2012

I work in education, so hoping this LO stays in til school is over like June 21. If so then I won't have to start my ML until we return to work in mid August, and I still get 6 weeks paid or 12 weeks if I want. But I think i will be going back in August anyway, at least as much as I can work from home. maybe in office 2 days a week. If I work it our with all time I can take then its like 4.5 months, which is too long for me. I need to work for my own sanity. But I do agree with PP, take as much as you can then decide if you want to go back earlier. Good luck!!

hilwithonelary · February 2012

I took 8 weeks (6 paid maternity, 2 paid vacation) with DS. At 6 weeks, I was not ready at all to go back. By 8, I was in a better position, but I think 12 would have been ideal. Unfortunately, I was active duty military at the time, and thus did not have FMLA benefits.

I was offered 8 weeks of unpaid leave during this pregnancy by my new job. I readily agreed since I had worked there less than a year. I knew they didn't have to offer me anything, so I was just grateful for them holding my job. In the end, I quit last week because DH got orders to move to another state at the end of April. I plan to take some extra time off and start searching for a job this fall.

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