Working mamas

[LuvinBabes]

also posted in unassisted

Hoping someone can give some insight...

This is 2nd pregnancy for us... was seeing ob gyn at start of this one while looking for a homebirth midwife I felt comfortable with/accepted by my insurance...
right now not seeing ob, waiting to see if ins. accepts a particular midwife - at the same time doing a ton of soul searching communicating and reading to be open/prepared to an embrace a birth in our home... depending on the time of day - I could birth solo with my toddler toddling around/sleeping/being entranced by elmo!

a question came into mind today while I thought about taking maternity leave from work - my employer would require a health care provider signing off on 6 or 8 weeks away from the office

can ANYONE help me out with the possible scenario of birthing unassisted and petitioning for maternity leave without a doctor that has been "caring" for me

thanks for reading replying

[amygoforth]

I birthed at home, but had my general physician sign my back-to-work papers after 8 weeks. He didn't seem to have a problem with it, and it was fine for my employer. Just as long as an MD signs off that you're healthy to return to work, I don't think it has to be THE care provider for your pregnancy and birth.

A bit OT, but the whole signing of the papers to return to work really and truly irked the hell outta me. I felt like it was yet one more way our culture implies that pregnancy and birth are illinesses and medical events.

[LuvinBabes]

I generally do not have a general family doc - i have pretty complete health ins with work but just use(d) it when i'm preggo for the most part

[boscopup]

I don't think you have to have a regular phsyician... Just find someone (midwife or Ob or FP) to do a postpartum exam around 6 weeks and say "Yep, you had a baby and can return to work now". Even if your insurance doesn't cover a midwife, I'll bet it'd be a very CHEAP visit to pay out of pocket (like $30 or something). Or a walk-in clinic would do... I'd just prefer the midwife personally... could probably be done at your own home in your own bed and not be a huge deal.

While I didn't return to work, I did get short term disability (so didn't officially leave the company until 6 weeks postpartum), and no paperwork was required until after my postpartum checkup (granted, I didn't get PAID until after that checkup either).

[Emilie]

Are you not going to have a hb if your insurance does not cover it?

That is crazy. Will your employer not believe you had a baby if it was not had in a hospital? I bet you could show them a picture!lol. Good luck!

[LuvinBabes]

I would like a hb mainly it being my partner and I - so its more like unassisted (though no wo(man) is an island) knowwhatimean...

from the info gathered so far it seems like in my state and with my circumstances having a midwive would help us with baby birth check (vitals/apgars), birth certificate stuff, possibly this maternity leave note - and just as a back up to vouch that we were not playing doctor