Maternity Leave

CaraLynn91 · August 2012

How long do you plan on taking off from work? I just started my new job Monday, and since I won't be covered (unless they elect to) for paid leave. Is 2 or 3 weeks too short of a leave? With DD I had gotten laid off right before she was born, so I didn't have a set time to come back, and I just stayed home with her for a few months.

kmwills · August 2012

I know I was still a mess in only 2-3 weeks after DD - with crazy hormones, the physical healing process and lack of sleep as just a few reasons. It sounds like not enough time to me, but you gotta do what you gotta do if you can't afford to take more time.

CaraLynn91 · August 2012

kmwills:
I know I was still a mess in only 2-3 weeks after DD - with crazy hormones, the physical healing process and lack of sleep as just a few reasons. It sounds like not enough time to me, but you gotta do what you gotta do if you can't afford to take more time.

So true. That's how I remember being with DD. I think we'd be okay if I took moe time off, but I'm one of those "I don't want to chance it" kind of people when it comes to finances.

mben1119 · August 2012

I had an unplanned c-section. There was absolutely no way I could have gone back to work after only a few weeks. Between my sleep schedule, trying to nurse and pump, being engorged and leaking, bleeding heavily, my incision being open and infected...work was not an option. I took 10 weeks.

can_can · August 2012

I also, had an unplanned c-section. No way I would have healed in time by 2-3 weeks, but after about a month I could have gone back, physically ok. Exhausted and missing my baby, absolutely, but I could have made it work.

I was in your boat, just started a new job, and wound up taking 4 weeks paid, and 4 weeks unpaid (we saved up enough to cover two paychecks before I took leave). So only 8 weeks total, and sadly, that's what we plan to do this time again.

If I didn't have a c-section, I'm sure I might physically be able to go back, but I know it would be hard emotionally!

Good luck!!

Enigma11 · August 2012

I can't get over how little time Americans get after giving birth. In Canada we get an entire year, and if we have complications before that we have the option of sick leave until the baby is born then our year of mat leave after that. I couldn't imagine leaving a baby after a few weeks.

cellomusic11 · August 2012

Enigma11:
I can't get over how little time Americans get after giving birth. In Canada we get an entire year, and if we have complications before that we have the option of sick leave until the baby is born then our year of mat leave after that. I couldn't imagine leaving a baby after a few weeks.

That's it!! I'm moving to Canada!

CaraLynn91 · August 2012

cellomusic11:

Enigma11:
I can't get over how little time Americans get after giving birth. In Canada we get an entire year, and if we have complications before that we have the option of sick leave until the baby is born then our year of mat leave after that. I couldn't imagine leaving a baby after a few weeks.

That's it!! I'm moving to Canada!

I second this!!!

AKWinterBride · August 2012

I will take the standard 12 weeks that FMLA allows, I can't imagine going back after only 2 weeks! I won't be taking paid leave as I hope to save that for incidentals after the baby is born, so I am just going to be saving up to cover our bills and expenses during those 12 weeks over the next 6 months.

markhamgurl · August 2012

You Americans ONLY get 12 weeks? Oh my. I really feel for you Here's me thinking that 12 MONTHS probably isn't long enough, as DH and I struggle to find away to afford for me to be a SAHM!

I agree with the previous replies here, two or three weeks definitely wouldn't be enough time. I've seen posts here on thebump.com where new moms are still struggling to bond with their babies at that point. Two or three months would probably be better for both you and baby. But that's my relatively uneducated opinion

cellomusic11 · August 2012

AKWinterBride:
I will take the standard 12 weeks that FMLA allows, I can't imagine going back after only 2 weeks! I won't be taking paid leave as I hope to save that for incidentals after the baby is born, so I am just going to be saving up to cover our bills and expenses during those 12 weeks over the next 6 months.

I thought it was eight weeks???

rayofsunshine99 · August 2012

When I had DS it was a relatively uncomplicated vaginal birth, and my doctor specified medical disability leave for 6 weeks. I went back at 8 weeks just doing part time and even that was hard.

Remember how much your body needs to repair (needing to squirt cool water on your hoo-ha every time you pee, nursing challenges and demands, sleep deprivation etc) I can't imagine going back after a couple of weeks.

BartonBaby · August 2012

After my third daughter i started back to work in two weeks but only from home i didn't actually go back to the office untill 6 weeks but i regret even working from home so early.... if you can work it out to stay out longer i'd deff. try to...

synchrosally · August 2012

I would think you would want at least 4 weeks to recover. When I gave in my note from my OB to work it said I would "be unable to work on or around the due date for approx 4 weeks". If you can manage 4 weeks I would try to take it. In 2 weeks I still couldn't sit right. Tongue Tied

magel050485 · August 2012

My OB wouldn't even release me to go back to work until 6 weeks PP. Even with an uncomplicated delivery your body still has a lot of healing to do 3+ weeks PP. With DS I took 10 weeks off unpaid. But, we had 7 months to plan for that. We stopped going out to eat, we didn't take vacations, we shopped sales racks. It's amazing where you can cut corners if you need to.

Hesterlicious · August 2012

You should probably take 6 weeks since you aren't healed completely until then.

Bbelle88 · August 2012

I will take 12 weeks because that's what my company offers.

With my DD I would not have been ready at all to go back to work after only 2 or 3 weeks. I don't know what your options will end up being but I really hope you'll get to stay home longer then 3 weeks! GL!

Aisham28 · August 2012

I took a week vacation this week since I am due tomorrow and then I get 12 weeks of maternity leave. I was for awhile thinking I was going to go back after that but now I think I might just take off a whole year or two off and then find a new job later on down the line since day care is so expensive and my husband could support us easily on his own.

magel050485 · August 2012

Also, what are you thinking about doing for childcare? None of the centers of in home DCP's take children younger than 6 weeks around here. I'm in a small town so there aren't as many options but I think you would be hardpressed to find a center to take a 2 week old.

abb08 · August 2012

cellomusic11:

AKWinterBride:
I will take the standard 12 weeks that FMLA allows, I can't imagine going back after only 2 weeks! I won't be taking paid leave as I hope to save that for incidentals after the baby is born, so I am just going to be saving up to cover our bills and expenses during those 12 weeks over the next 6 months.

I thought it was eight weeks???

If your company is large enough to fall under FMLA, you can legally take up to 12 weeks leave. Of course, none of it has to be paid. As a public school counselor, I have no paid maternity leave. I do pay into short-term disability, so I will collect that for four weeks. I can also use my sick leave to pay for part of the time. Luckily, as a school counselor I will also finish at the end of May, and I've managed to hit the jackpot on due dates - my DS was May 19, and this is May 8. My school will let me beg off of certain summer activities next year so I can be home the entire summer with my son and new LO.

mkinMI · August 2012

I'm taking two weeks off and this will be my third c-section. I only work part time though.

pinottoparenthood · August 2012

I'm a teacher, so I get 6 weeks. (8 if I had to have a C-section.) I think THAT'S not nearly enough time! 2-3 weeks is going to be REALLY hard. You and baby will still be getting into a routine. If you plan to breastfeed, you'll be doing it every 2-3 hours probably. You'll have to keep pumping that often at work. 2-3 weeks is too young for daycare, so will you have someone there to care for your child? It's hard... I am dreading having to go back to work after my baby is born, but at least I'll have the summer shortly thereafter... the only good thing about teaching, haha. (Okay, not the ONLY.)

pinottoparenthood · August 2012

cellomusic11:
Enigma11:
I can't get over how little time Americans get after giving birth. In Canada we get an entire year, and if we have complications before that we have the option of sick leave until the baby is born then our year of mat leave after that. I couldn't imagine leaving a baby after a few weeks.

That's it!! I'm moving to Canada!

Same!!! Enigma -- do you get paid for a whole year? Or are you taking a year unpaid?

Daenaria · August 2012

I think people are missing a key point, and I'm in the same boat as you. I just started my job on Monday, and haven't shared that I'm pregnant. Thinking of waiting until my 4 week review which is a week after I'm into my second trimester.

I'm going to take 6, minimum. Even if it means losing my job. The bonding time with the baby is far more important than a job. Jobs come and go, and worst case, I'll collect state aid if I have to (sorry to say it). And after 6 weeks, I'll go back to work if I'm up for it.

Ideally, I'd take 8-10 weeks off. I'm hoping my guy will take 2 weeks off, but I doubt it. He doesn't have that much PTO at work, and he hates to take time off. Time will tell, but I'm fairly certain that I will need the help

Nursenic78 · August 2012

Is it PAID leave for one year in Canada? At my company we get 60% of our salary for 6 weeks. We can take 6 additional weeks but it will be unpaid unless you have pto days to supplement

lucy11111 · August 2012

Nursenic78:

Is it PAID leave for one year in Canada? At my company we get 60% of our salary for 6 weeks. We can take 6 additional weeks but it will be unpaid unless you have pto days to supplement

We get 55% of our salary (up to a max. salary of $40,000/yr). Some employers will also top that up.

TimingisEverything · August 2012

I plan on taking the full 12 weeks of fmla.

I don't think you are allowed to go back to work after 2-3 weeks. most places of employment require a release form from your doctor to return to work and they won't sign one until 6 weeks for vaginal and 8 weeks for c/s.

AmieVan · August 2012

I'm taking 11 weeks, which I also took with DD. 2 or3 weeks really isn't enough, I'm afraid. I believe the dr approved disability period is 6 weeks for vaginall delivery and 8 weeks for c-section. Also, keep in mind if you end up needing a csection (we found out at 37 weeks our baby was tush first with her feet up by her head) there is no way you could go back to work in 2 weeks. I was still a little leery of driving at that point, though I took dd to her two week pedi appt myself. Having said that, even after a c s I could have physically gone back to work at 6 weeks pp. best of luck to you and I will hope for you that you can anagw to take at least6 weeks.

Mis+Shapes · August 2012

2 weeks is waaayyyy too short of a time IMHO. I really think it is important to take at least 6 weeks. With DD#1 I took 14 weeks and 12 weeks with DD#2. This time I plan on taking 10 - 12 weeks.

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