Maternity leave

[Mommy0711]

I have a c section scheduled may 16th and im wondering when i should take my maternity leave. I work 9 hours on my feet all day almost every day and its juist hard i gained a lot of weight and im just so swollen by the time i get home im just so sore i cant do anything i also have a 3 year old. I was trying to last untill the 13th then i thought maybe the 6th but now im thinking i should leave real soon its just too much on me... Any advice?

[amandamae1126]

In the US you are allowed up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave. Your doctor has to fill out paper work (and my dr office charged me $10 for this service) and it must be turned in to HR. But I agree with the other ladies - take the time to recoup and spend with baby if you can. I totally understand how you feel though. I am due May 11th (and dr will not let me go past that date) and I am just so exhausted, nauseous, and cranky again! But we are tough mommies and we can hang in there with the best of them!

Also wanted to mention that the 12 weeks of FMLA are UNPAID (unless you have other benefits that help to pay for the time like Paid TIme Off or Leave of Absense or Sick pay).

[Kyliem87]

if you can hold on and last til either the 13th or later then it's probably the best option as you will get to spend more time with your baby however i only know how it works at my work place and that is that you have to put it in writing to the human resources department and request to start your maternity leave earlier, however i live in the UK and am not 100% sure of how it would work over there...any uncertainties about anything to do with your maternity leave can only be answered by your human resources department.

[Zaylil]

start it the same day you are scheduled for csection you going to need all the time you can get you recover and to love on that baby.

[JoyRenee]

I would talk to Human Resources about when would be the best time because leaving early may cut into your time after baby is born.

[Eileenre]

mmmm. I heard that if you leave early u wont be able to get the benefit of maternity leave..call hr and find out ...good luck