How to ask for a doctor's note?

VioletandRose · August 2015

This may be a stupid question, but thought I'd ask for input since I've never actually asked for a doctor's note before.
I'd like to ask my doctor for a note to allow me to leave work around 38 weeks. So far (thank goodness) there's nothing "wrong" with me, other than that I'm becoming increasingly uncomfortable and it's harder and harder for me to move around. I work in the city, so my daily commute is a bear; I have to walk several blocks to/from the train. I'm slow, my legs and feet are swollen and I feel like I'm smuggling a watermelon. (I know, preaching to the choir.)

Anyway, I have enough medical leave to take time off before the baby is born, but it needs to be "medically necessary" and signed off by a doctor. I'm almost 33 weeks, but my work needs time to prepare for my absence. Right now, they think I'm working up until my due date (10/14). I was thinking about asking my OB at my appointment today if they would consider writing me a note to let me go at 38 weeks. Do you think this is out of line? And how do I approach the doctor about this?

Thanks!

chris&haley · August 2015

I literally just told my doctor what date I wanted to start maternity leave and she wrote it in and signed. Easy as that!

vamomtobe · August 2015

I'm curious to see whether anyone has gotten one! My husband tagged along to one of my appointments and asked if I could get a written note to support me teleworking because I have a similar commute with walking to metro, often standing on metro, walking to a shuttle, walking to the building, blah. I had no idea he was going to ask, I actually wouldn't have. My doctor got a little offended I think. She started talking about women she works with who have performed 6 hour long surgeries at 38 weeks, pregnant doctors working 80 hour weeks, and to paraphrase, said "suck it up, you have a desk job."

A week later I ended up having pre-term contractions, which began at work, and freaked my boss out enough that he's agreed to me teleworking two days a week anyway, but he did not require a doctor's note. Is telework an option for you? I don't know how much total leave you get, but you may really miss those two weeks you could have had home with your baby!

VioletandRose · August 2015

@vamomtobe I am actually a little afraid that the doc may have that attitude when I ask about leaving early. I work for the hospital that my doc is/where I'll be delivering, and the policy says that we must work until our due date unless deemed medically necessary. Seeing as I don't have any complications, I'm wondering if they will really consider it "medically necessary" or if I'll get a lecture.

I have A LOT (several months) of medical leave, but can only use it up to 8 weeks after delivery, or beforehand while I'm still pregnant. Any time after that has to be taken out of my vacation/PTO, because it's considered "baby bonding" and not "medical leave." So whatever I take ahead of delivery wouldn't be taken out of time with my baby. (The time after delivery is fixed; time before is not.)

ETA: Forgot to add, working from home is not an option...my boss doesn't allow it. Bummer.

danixbanani24 · August 2015

I'm hoping to get my doctor to write a similar note. I also work in the city and my commute is an hour via subway and people aren't as nice as you'd think! I often have to stand and I'm just over it. I work in sales and have a laptop so there is no reason I can't work from home but I'm waiting until around 39 weeks/my due date week to really milk that. Unless my doctor says otherwise.

kaza512 · August 2015

I would find out from your HR exactly what needs to be on the note. If it has to be "medically necessary" a doc might not write that because it isn't true. If you can just get a note stating that you are in the end stage of your pregnancy, most will do that because it is true. If you have the extra leave, do you need a note to go early, or can you just take it??? As someone who works in a women's health office, I understand both sides. It is unethical for a doc to write a medical necessity if it isn't, but they are generally happy to complete fmla forms so long as they can be honest. As a prior poster mentioned, if you say you want to start your fmla early, they will often fill it out appropriately!

bucher1s · August 2015

Mine won't do it unless there is a medical issue

blsav23 · August 2015

Mine told me to call anytime I'm ready to be finished & they will fax over the paperwork. Granted, I'm having twins & work on my feet as an RN, but generally I think they are very accommodating. Just explain your situation & I'm sure they'd be happy to help. As a PP stated, can't you just take personal time for now?

blsav23 · August 2015

Also, I don't think stopping work at 38 weeks is out of line AT ALL, regardless of what type of work you do.

VioletandRose · August 2015

Just came out of my appointment and chickened out, LOL. Will ask at my next one in 2 weeks, for sure!
Want to take a PP's advice and find out from HR exactly what they need...will a note saying I can begin maternity leave 2 weeks early suffice, or do I need a note that is more detailed...

chris&haley · August 2015

My HR just needed the note, and I live in CA which is fairly notorious for all their "rules". As with another PP I'm also pregnant with twins and am already on leave, but 38 weeks is not unreasonable at all! We get 4 weeks paid before due date here! Don't feel guilty or nervous, you deserve it

shantyrae · August 2015

I asked my doctor and just said... "I'm under the impression my employer has no problem with me leaving early each day as long as I have something in writing from my doctor - can you help with that?" And with no hesitation she wrote a prescription that said I can leave early as needed throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. Good luck!

leighann1 · August 2015

I have also heard of notes being written due to distance from work to the hospital. If the time between the two is considerable, this may be a valid reason.

maiatene · August 2015

If you're having legit issues and concerns talk to your doctor. My doctor actually saw how my commute and job were affecting me so she wrote me out. I am able to work from home so it a huge imposition to my employer (at least I don't believe so lol).

For my last pregnancy I stopped working at 38 weeks because that pregnancy was uneventful and no one batted an eye. Most women at my job at the very least stop coming in by 38 weeks so I don't think it's unreasonable to ask your employer to be on the safe side.

Cmoniga · August 2015

I've run into this issue and so far had a negative outcome from one OB in the practice, but I plan to have the discussion with another who I feel more comfortable with and have seen numerous times!

I work as a child protection social worker and spend hours driving around the state and putting myself in extremely compromising positions. I go into the same homes police go into on a regular basis, but completely unarmed. I have an office I work out of that is about 40 min from home, but service surrounding towns/cities from my office. It was recommended by my supervisor to request a note about a month before my due date. She recommended getting a note that states I should be on "office duty" and therefore not be traveling and going into homes. When I brought this up to the first OB, she gave me a VERY rude and negative answer. She said being pregnant doesn't make my job any more risky and if I wasn't pregnant. She said they recommend not traveling more than an hour from home, but didn't seem to give two shits that I spend hours behind the wheel. She didn't quite comprehend that there is no guarantee I won't be traveling all over the state and they can't just limit me to specific cases because cases change from regular family involvement to removals of children in a split second! She had the audacity to say, "many women request notes for work but can't actually perform the job and then get fired. Check with work first," even though I explained it was work recommending me do this!

Better luck next time for me!

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