Self employed and worried about mat leave

[chiromama01]

So I'm self employed and worried about maternity leave.  My income depends completely on my actually being at work, so paid maternity leave is pipe dream here.  Also, as my entire business depends on my ability to see patients, I worry about how much it will hurt the practice i've spent 3 years building to take a few weeks off.  I bring home about 50% of our household income, so it would be difficult, but not impossible, to survive for very long without my income.  That said, I don't want to interrupt valuable bonding time with baby.  

Anyone else in a similar situation?  What are you going to do? Thoughts? Suggestions?

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I'm guessing you're a chiropractor. My chiro is actually due within a few days of me and takes a few weeks off. This is her third child and I'm pretty sure her third since becoming a chiro. Her business is thriving.

[AbbieB]

My chiro when I had my first baby, had her's 1 month before. She brought baby to work with her after taking something like a month off. I think she had some support there too, to help with the baby while she saw patients. I also think she had a lighter schedule at first.

[cameragirl]

My chiropractor did the same. She started back about a month after, but only a few days a week, and half days. She has a practice with her father, and mom is the office manager. Her son stays in the back, and she pumps during her breaks or nurses him when she can. She's back to a full schedule since she gave birth back in February.

How far out are you from delivering? I know it isn't always easy, but socking away as much money as possible helps. Are you in a state that offers short term disability?

[chiromama01]

thanks everyone.  cameragirl, socking away some money is possible before baby comes, since i'm not due till april.  It's good to hear that some many or your chiro's took a month off.  That's what i'd like to do, ideally, so maybe I can find a way to make that work! 

Thanks again everyone :)

[DragonflyMom]

Hoping over here from October...

Since your not due for such a long while would it be possible to take on an "understudy" who can keep your clients for you while your on leave?

Thats what my doula is doing....not sure how that would work in the Chiro world.