Maternity Leave

[MamaAcorn]

I just got an e-mail from my boss asking about my maternity leave. I work FT from home doing medical transcription. I plan on working until labor begins, but as for time off afterwards, I haven't thought about it too much. It's more that I don't want to think about it. The norm within the company is two weeks off after a normal vaginal birth, maybe three weeks if you have a C-section and complications. The boss's daughter just had her second baby last month via C-section, and she was back to work in a week. My close friend and co-worker was back to work in three days. This sounds CRAZY!

When I asked DH (who is a FT student) how much time I should take off after the birth, his response was, "I'd love to tell you two weeks or even forever, but I don't think that we can even afford two weeks of you being off." Since everyone for the company works from home, the company is not bound by any laws to offer maternity leave. I'm paid by production and will not be paid for my time off, not even vacation or sick time, which the company no longer offers. This just sucks! I want to take some time off to recover from the birth and bond with my baby, not to mention adjust to life with two kiddos. Then, of course, all of our family will start rolling in to _visit_ around that time too, which will be more work. Ahhhhh!

So, my questions: How much time should I take off after the baby is here? What's the minimum amount of time you would recommmend? I don't expect to jump right back into work at full speed, just easing back into things. Anyone have a similar situation? Any advice is appreciated!

[mum2tori]

Well I no longer "work", I'm blessed to be a SAHM. I was working when I had DD. THe company I worked for had awesome benefits. I *think* the law is up to 6 weeks for maternity leave but they aren't required to pay for any of the leave. My company paid for 4 weeks maternity and then I could use any sick days and vacation in addition.. I had planned to take 8 weeks paid with all the time I had available. I totally "lucked out" when I was put on "medical leave" with bed rest because medical disablity paid a percentage of the time and I didn't use as much of my leave benefits before she was born so I still had vacation and sick days left when my maternity was over.

I would take at least a week minimum if possible (two would be ideal especially with family coming). You'll need time to recover from the labor. You need time to relax and enjoy your babymoon. You want to start to establish good routines within the household. Mostly you need to rest and sleep as much as possible! Your body needs that to heal and for you to establish a good milk supply.

I hope you figure it out.

[woobysma]

Have you looked into your state's DSHS short-term disability benefits? Some states cover maternity leave as disability if your company doesn't offer paid leave.
If that's not an option, I'd start saving $ as best I could and try for two weeks off minimum. I went back to work part-time (housecleaning) after 5 days with DS - but I was 19 and staying with my parents, so I didn't have the household responsibilities I have now. I'm planning on working from home after this baby's born, but I can't imagine doing much more than a couple hours a day for the first couple weeks. If you plan on two weeks and end up having a really easy delivery and baby who likes to sleep, then you can surprise yourself by going back early. I think "planning" on only a week may be setting yourself up for disappointment. You don't want to feel like you're on a deadline when you just want to enjoy your little one.

[banana girl]

MamaAcorn i am so sorry to hear about your time off concerns. I understand how frustrating it can be to have your significant other in school while you work. I have been supporting my husband for the last year or so while he finishes his education. My job, pays for his tuition (a benefit of working for a college!)
However, I HATE my job! I work in the mailroom, sorting mail and selling stamps. My office is full of photocopiers and flourescent lights, my boss is a former Marine and there are NO windows! I used to work as a landscaper, I specialize in flower beds. I tell you I am counting the DAYS till I can be done here!
I am however extremely grateful for the lovely benefits of my job and all the great people I interact with every day. Thankfully, I am eligible for FMLA leave and will be paid 60% of income for 6 weeks after the birth. I actually never intend to return and it doesn't change a single bit of my rights, for which I am extremely grateful.

The tough thing about my not working is this... My husband isn't entirely done with school. He has one more semester of student teaching left, which he is considering postponing for a year and continuing to work full time (as he is now). If he does teach this fall it will still be paid for by my job's benefits.... if he doesn't teach this fall we will have to find another way to pay the $7,000+ a semester tuition! yikes! We are really struggling with what to do, what's the best decision, how to pay the bills. i understand your concerns.

you said that you are paid by production... is there any chance your husband could step in and do some of your duties for you for awhile??? Could he get it part way done, and then you finish things up?? If he's so concerned about money coming in, is he finding away to help supplement your income for a short time?? Is he in classes right now? Is there some sort of extra work he could do to develop a "buffer" of savings for when the baby comes?
Good luck with finding a solution, sounds really complicated!
anna banana

[MamaAcorn]

Thanks so much for the responses! I think I've decided on two weeks off after the baby arrives. I can always try to jump back into things earlier if I want. We're working on saving money, but between moving, medical bills, and school starting back up next month, I'm not sure how much we'll be able to put back. One of the perks of moving was to save money though, so we should be okay with two weeks off, even if it means being on a tighter budget for the rest of the semester (a perk to student loans being dispersed all at once at the begninning of the semester). If we really, really get desparate and need help, we can always ask our family, so it helps to remember that too.

I'm so looking forward to DH being out of school. This will be his last year, then he'll take the bar and get a full-time job, and I should be able to quit my jobs and be a full-time SAHM. I can't wait!!!! That makes it all worth the struggles we face now.

Pam