Maternity leave question?

[mommy2beexcited]

Hi mommy's to be, I was wondering when/how far along you ladies were when you went on mat leave? I'm a manager and I'm trying to plan ahead so I know my assistants and company will be fine. I want to stay working as long as I can and I have had no concerns or discomfort as of yet.

[anjamo]

Here, you must go 2 weeks before due date. And you're entitled to 26 weeks altogether with state benefit (which is not a lot, but better than nothing, I suppose) But the hospital recommends to go at least 4 weeks before.. (I'd go mad being home on my own that long..)
I know other countries in Europe where you must go 4-6 weeks before, but there, the total duration with state benefit is also longer..

[kerml78]

At my work, maternity leave is a reason to claim short term disability. Check with your hr department.

[GeekMom1213]

With my first I worked until 38 weeks when my blood pressure got a little out of control and my midwives pulled me from work. Figured I'd go about that far this time too. But this time I have several significant complications,  starting with gestational diabetes and getting a bit trickier nearly every week after that, and was forced to go on short term disability leave at 30 weeks. So you really never know. Thankfully due to my union's protections my FMLA leave won't start until I deliver, so this ten weeks of unexpected leave won't cut into my time with baby afterward. Every business has different rules though.

[cdolan2012]

I worked until my water broke. Wanted as much time as possible at home with baby bc part of my maternity leave was unpaid. You can't sign up for short term disability after you're already pregnant, it is considered a preexisting condition and won't be covered. If you have any Aflac plans some of them will pay out for delivery, so that can be a way to help cover maternity leave costs!

[ss_ss]

I'm 38 weeks, working 2 more days then done. I wish I was out at 36 weeks due to back pain and fatigue. I'll be off for 8 weeks after baby is born,  then be part time for 4 more weeks.

[Mrs_MP3]

I'm 37 weeks and still working...plan on working all the way to labor. I have already trained my temp replacement and now work from home 4/5 days of the week, so I personally have no reason to leave early...besides I really want to spend my entire 12 weeks with my baby.

[illmommy]

This is a good question. I have been trying to save for maternity leave as it is unpaid and I have had some pregnancy issues to arise. If you are diagnosed with a complication can you apply for short term disability?

[xxXxshannon23xx]

My lady pregnancy my manager and I were pregnant 4 days apart and we both kept working up until we had our babies 2 days apart. Her water actually broke at work!  Mine broke on my one day of that week the day after hers.

[Mogpog]

If you live in the US, you get 12 weeks of unpaid leave through the Family Leave act, but that depends on the size company you work for and other factors. For planning purposes I would plan on your leave starting at 40 weeks unless you want to stop working sooner, or if you medically need to. I left work at 37 weeks but that was because my contract was up so I had to leave anyway. Just communicate with management and staff sk they know the plan,but also so they know it might change.  In most cases you can't plan exactly when baby will arrive, and your job should understand that.

[MiMi0301]

Well I was put on leave at 37weeks and it was more up to my doctor than anyone else.  He saw that it was becoming difficult for me to walk and get through the day so he told me I was done and he was looking out for the best interests of my baby.

[sammylang]

Hiya ,it's not up to your employer to decide how much leave you can take ,it's up to YOU how much you take . I'm pretty sure legally you can take up a year off and should be able to return to your job within this time frame.
I Don't think any employer has the right to tell you you can only have 3 months off! Please double check this though as it is what I have been informed where I live (uk)
Good luck xxx

[haydenava85]

My job only offered 3 months. So I didn't want to take too much time off having to leave my baby and return to work any sooner than I'd have to. I thought about leaving at 38 weeks but then my coworker told me she took her leave also at 38 weeks and ended up having her baby almost 2 weeks late... so I ended up scheduling my leave at 40 weeks, however my son came early and I had to take a week and a half off ahead of time. I was in labor when I went into my job to redo my leave. They were not mad. So it really depends on where you work, what kind of leave they offer and what is most important to you such as having time to relax before the baby arrives or wanting more time after baby arrives.  

[MommyDiamond]

My job sent me on maternity leave at 34 weeks because they wanted me to be comfortable and not have my water break while at work

[moejoe8041]

How far along are you? As soon as i found out i started looking for someone to hire temporary. My dm didn't wanna take any chances bc he lost a manager at 5 months to leave. Im 22 weeks and every visit they threaten to pull me from work but im not ready yet staff wise. I already cant do half my job bc of being pregnant...so i dont see myself making it to much longer! My bp b all over the place -_-