Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Is it reasonable?

I'm really worried about not having a job if I stay away too long. There's been layoffs within my dept. recently and the boss can't make any guarantees that there won't be more. I love my job and would hate to lose it because of an extended maternity leave.

Boss wants me to tell him how much time I'll be away and hinted that upper management may use that info to gauge how dispensable I am... Because I'm a consultant, I can't even sue if the company does lay me off for that reason... :(

What would you do, is 3-4 weeks adequate for maternity leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

O wow what a horrendous position to be in, I am so sorry
But to answer your question, I honestly have to say its NOT enough time, in my opinion 6 weeks would be the EARLIEST.? I had a csec so it does take a while to feel human afterward... Anyway you can start back part time????

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Wow that's a tough position to be in. I think 4 wks would be the absolute earliest assuming you have an uncomplicated delivery.
Is there anyway you can work from home in the beginning or as the pp asked come back p/t for a little while?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I am so sorry for the position you are in.

But from experience, I delivered the V way, I was still really sore, plus I was exhausted. I don't think I could have returned to work that soon.

Are you returning full-time? Maybe you can ease back into it at 4 weeks, say work 2 days and then work your way up.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Thats an awful position to be in. From my experience, at 3/4 weeks I was still recovering from the birth, and was crying a lot, so I was in no position to get back to work.

I hope it works out for you.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I would think 6 weeks would really be the earliest. I highly doubt that they will look at that as an extended maternity leave as it is totally on the shorter end of the norm. I would think that they would think of 12 weeks as long.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I went back to work when my twins were 5 weeks old. But that was part time...

What are you doing for childcare? Dont most babies have to be at least 6 weeks before they can go?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Doesn't sound like they are guaranteeing that you will keep your job if you return after 4 weeks. Personally, I wouldn't do it. It's too soon.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

In NYS, you are legally disabled after birth for 6 weeks for a vaginal birth and 8 for a c-section. You are really not supposed to return to work officially before that.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I think it depends on whether you have a c-section or not. One of my coworkers only took 4 weeks maternity leave because she couldn't afford to live on disability alone and she was fine, but she had a vaginal birth. I had a C section and there was no way I could have gone back to work at 4 weeks. I was up and moving around pretty good, but I was still in pain and recovering.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I had a c-section and there was no way I could have gone back to work that soon. I think my doctor said I couldn't even drive for the first 3 weeks?

I also found that after 3-4 weeks I was still in that new baby, anesthesia, no sleep fog. There would have been no way I could've functioned doing a job.

I'm sure there are some women that can do it, but you'll probably have to play it by ear and see how you feel!

Good luck!

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Truth be told I was up and driving around after the first few days but 3/4 weeks might not be enough time in my opinion. I had a v-birth and went back to work after 7 weeks. Physically it was fine but even more draining than I had expected...to jump right in and get back on a work routine while trying to fit DS's needs in was hard...do-able...but hard.

You do what you have to do

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

If you have an easy birth I don't see why not. I was out and about a couple of weeks PP and feeling back to my normal self. A little sleep deprived though!

ETA: I too was working 5 weeks PP, granted only a couple of hours a day a couple of days a week and I was able to bring DD with me and she slept in my office with me and the door shut.

Message edited 10/24/2008 8:51:40 AM.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I think that is too soon. Also, most daycares dont take babies until they are 6 weeks- is he/she goign to be in DC?
thats such a horrible position to be in

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I know it's not ideal, but I only had 3 weeks off with DS. I have a dance school and I am the only teacher. I worked up until my induction, which was 6 days past my due date. I went in on a Wednesday night, had DS on Thursday and had 3 full weeks off. I had my mom, who I took the studio over from, teach for me those 3 weeks, and then I was back. I was exausted, but I was fine. And it's not like I was able to sit, I was actually dancing and jumping around 3 weeks pp.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Thanks for all the ladies who responded.
I think I may ask for 4 weeks for now. If more time is needed hopefully the boss will be understanding...

It sux but I love my job and can't afford to lose it at this time.

My mom will help me with the baby the first few weeks and DH will take some time off before we need to send the baby to daycare at 6 weeks of age.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Does your DH qualify for FMLA? Can he use it? That may be a solution for after you return to work.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

I would tell them 4 weeks now.......and when the time comes take longer. This way it doesn't give them any time to think about how "dispensible" you are. That sucks that they are being like that. Just work you azz off til the baby comes and maybe they will change their minds. To be honest, I needed at least 10 weeks because DD WAS NOT sleeping at night. I would have been miserable.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

IMO, thats way too soon. You are still recovering and sleep-deprived, and blah.

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?

Re: Returning to Work After 3/4 Weeks of Maternity Leave?