I'm a new Mom...How was Maternity/Family Leave & Disability Ins w/your Unexpected early arrival?

Kim - posted on 10/02/2009

Check to see if your state offers

fmla family medical leave act. My preemie was due in december but arrived on september 1. Since my team of doctors didn't know when my baby was going to arrive, they put me off until 10 weeks after my original due date. I was off for five months if I needed I could have taking an additonal 12 weeks without pay under the FMLA but fortunately, I didn't need it. Check to see if your state has FMLA.

Lindsay - posted on 10/01/2009

I ended up using my short term disability while my daughter was in the NICU (I qualified as disabled due to my emergency c-section-6wks worth-until I could drive) then I still had my maternity leave left for later(however I ended up quitting my job to stay at home with her, so I didn't use my maternity leave).

Diana - posted on 09/30/2009

Good luck! I know it can be really tricky. I was lucky to have a good job and work with amazing people-and I still work there part-time because they are so amazing about helping out anytime I need it. So I hope it works out for you. How's your daughter?

Crystal - posted on 09/30/2009

Quoting Diana:
"... saying that maybe you can work something out with your job."

I am planning to speak with the owner of the company to see if I can return part time, instead of fulltime...or work something out where I could possibly work from home, even if it is partially.  Thanks for sharing! :)

Diana - posted on 09/30/2009

I work at a university, and I had my son at the beginning of April, although he was due at the end of May. I was lucky, because I was able to make up my hours during the summer. Basically, the department I work for and I worked out a deal so that I would keep getting my paychecks as contracted, and then during the summer I would work without getting paychecks to make up the hours I missed while I was on leave. That's probably not useful, aside from saying that maybe you can work something out with your job.

Stephanie - posted on 09/16/2009

I did exactly what Iysha is talkig about. It worked out well for me. Best of luck

Crystal - posted on 09/16/2009

This is great information, appreciate it Iysha! :)

Iysha - posted on 09/16/2009

you could take maternity leave for the first 6 weeks until your doctor gives the ok. then you could return to work and when the baby comes home, get Paid Family Leave to bond with you child. You have a year to apply and use it. When you get your check from Disability, a brochure for Paid Family Leave should come too.

Crystal - posted on 09/16/2009

Thank you Julie, I will make sure I start the process! Take care :)

Julie - posted on 09/16/2009

Whatever you do, get the ball rolling soon. My guy came in March, was due in June. He spent 4 months in the NICU. By the time life settled down enough for me to think about applying for my maternity, I had missed the time frame by a few months and the state did not budge. I'm pretty sure the birth of the child and the child coming home qualify as 2 separate events that should be covered by Family Medical Leave Act legislation, so you are entitled to your time off. My boss was going to divide my maternity leave for me, but I actually left the job before my guy came home. See what your employer is willing to do. They usually figure on six weeks, it shouldn't matter WHEN you get it, in my opinion.



Good luck!