Question about early maternity leave

How early did you take your maternity leave?

I am only 8 weeks pregnant, but I want to take maternity leave as soon as possible. I probably wouldn't want to take it before 12 or 16 weeks, but it is something that I want to do for health reasons. I have some health concerns that I will discuss with my doctor, but at this point, I probably COULD work, but I feel it would be in my best interest to work from home until the baby is born. I am a teacher, and while I love my job, it is tiring and draining and I want to be able to focus on my health as much as possible. I have tutoring options, as well as some other work that I can do from home, so financially, it will probably be ok. In fact, it may benefit me financially. i just don't want to lose my teaching job.

Did anyone take an early leave of absence from their work, teaching or otherwise, before the baby was born? Any advice on this matter?

TIA

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I was signed out with this pregnancy at 28 weeks, and with my first pregnancy at 34 weeks. This is because I was having preterm contractions. I don't think the dr will sign you out for no reason, and I think you have to have your dr sign you out of work officially for you to not risk losing your job.

I am not positive on this though.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I think the only way you could do that is if the doctor puts you on complete bedrest for medical reasons. As of this point (27weeks) I have made arrangements to work from home 2 days a week as per doctor's orders, since I have a long commute and have already been in the hospital 2x due to having cramping and some contractions and am pregnant with twins.

You'll have to find out what kind of disability benefits you have, but I would think without having your doctor putting you on complete bedrest, you would risk losing your job if you left that early.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Right now I'm 30 weeks, I plan to work until delivery (if possible).

My sister had to modify her work environment at about 28 weeks, she couldn't be on her feet for long periods of time because of a heart condition. So she had to switch to be in the office instead of in the field, she stopped working completely around 32 weeks.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Are you talking about paid leave? Or just leave w/o losing your job?

Most of my friends who are teachers don't get paid leave, they have to use their accumulated sick days ........

But I don't think a Dr. will put you out at 3 or 4 months PG just b/c your teaching job is draining and you're tired -
If that were the case, no pregnant woman would have to work !!


There has to be a legitimate medical reason for you to be out for that long -
I'd talk to your Dr. about your concerns and then talk to your employer to see what your options are -

Re: Question about early maternity leave

You'd only have job protection under FMLA for 12 weeks. Your contract may offer you more protection though. You should look at the terms of your collective bargaining agreement. Also, a doctor would have to certify that you're disabled and unable to work. If you're taken out of work for medical reasons, you cannot take on other jobs. You're only entitled to STD for a total of 26 weeks.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I didn't. I wanted as much time with the baby as possible. My last day was the 8th, we had off the 9th and I delivered on the 10th. I'm also a teacher. It was tiring, but I wanted to save the days for the baby. If you could afford to take time off while pregnant, I guess it would be worth it for you.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I was put out of work at 28 weeks due to pre-term contractions. I went on disability at that point. I don't know that they would have put me out any eariler, but I do know that with my union I could have taken an unpaid leave of absence (but it would have to be approved by my boss so I don't know that I would have been able to). Put a call into your union and see what your options are. As a teacher you may have more options.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I am a teacher and will be using my sick/vaca days once I have the baby. I'm not planning on going out until I go into labor. I'd rather use my paid days off to be with the baby.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Thanks everyone.

I am talking about an unpaid leave of absence. I don't expect to be paid if I am not "disabled".

Basically, I have some health concerns, especially related to my heart, circulation, and vision. I am one of these "mystery diagnosis" cases, I have weird things: arrhythmia, blood clots, partial loss of vision, but no one can tell me why. I just don't want to push myself too far to the point where I do harm to myself or my baby.

But it is still early yet, so for now I will wait.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Re: Question about early maternity leave

I have never heard of maternity leave at 16 weeks. I know some women are put on bedrest due to pregnancy complications, early contractions, etc. I think most women start maternity leave a few weeks, maybe a month at best prior to delivery due date.

However, I have heard of plenty of women who have quit their jobs after finding out they were pregnant. I know one girl who was an attorney at a corporate law firm and just didn't want to deal with the stress so she quit. After taking some time off after having the baby, she is planning to reapply for work, which she shouldn't have problems finding.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Posted by SweetTooth

Posted by maiden

Thanks everyone.

I am talking about an unpaid leave of absence. I don't expect to be paid if I am not "disabled".

Basically, I have some health concerns, especially related to my heart, circulation, and vision. I am one of these "mystery diagnosis" cases, I have weird things: arrhythmia, blood clots, partial loss of vision, but no one can tell me why. I just don't want to push myself too far to the point where I do harm to myself or my baby.

But it is still early yet, so for now I will wait.

Definitely discuss these concerns with your doctor. Is your doctor aware of your medical history? Are you being treated for any of the conditions?
You may want to even consult a high-risk dr. if you haven't already.

Re: Question about early maternity leave

Re: Question about early maternity leave

i know you can take a leave with the NYCDOE for pursuing other endeavors (ie it has a stipulation that you take a certain amount of classes while out) so it wouldn't surprise me if there was a similar sort for medical problems. i'd check with your union AND dr (to see if they can help work something out for you).

you can also quit like someone above suggested, but just make sure to give proper notice in accordance with your contract/union. i know the NYCDOE prefers 2 months.

maybe you could also ask about another position within the school? a lot of our former teachers work in more administrative positions such as unit coordinators, transition coordinators, teacher coaches, curriculum writers, etc. or maybe get switched to something that still works with the kids, but is more 1:1 and less stressful (like a reading coach, if you're certified).

Re: Question about early maternity leave