Pregnancy and nursing

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

That means you get 6 weeks paid off for a lady partsl delivery and 8 weeks off for a c/s delivery. You can take the extra time (up to the total 12 weeks if you wish) but it is unpaid.

I just had my baby boy on 9/27, and I will go back full time in January. I will have a little over 12 weeks off.

Best of luck to you, have a happy healthy pregnancy.

Jolie, BSN · Oct 10, 2009

I think you may be confusing your employer's maternity leave policy with the federal law of FMLA.

FMLA can easily be researched on-line. In a nutshell, it is a federal law that applies to employers of a certain size, requiring them to extend a minimum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to qualified employees to care for themselves or immediate family members with health needs. (Not all employees qualify for FMLA. Generally speaking, an employee must be full-time or part time, eligible for benefits in order to qualify for FMLA.) The employer continues to pay its portion of benefit costs during leave and promises a return to the same or a similar job. The employee has responsibilities as well, including providing documentation of the need for leave, paying his/her portion of benefit costs during leave and notifying the employer of anticipated return to work in advance.

FMLA sets the ground rules, then employers devise their own policies and procedures for implementing it. Some allow 12 weeks, others more. Employers are also able to set requirements regarding notification of the intent to take leave (for a known condition), steps for notifyng the employer of the need for leave for an emergency condition, requirements for notifying the employer of the intent to return to work, and the requirement to re-pay the cost of benefits provided during leave if you don't return to work in a benefits-eligible condition.

Whether or not you recive any pay will probably depend on whether you have PTO accumulated and whether you choose to use some or all of that time to provide an income during your leave.

I suggest you research FMLA on-line and ask your human resources department for their policy, as well as schedule an appointment with HR to answer any questions you may have.

Happy and healthy pregnancy to you :)

miss81, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

Wow, where I'm from we get a year paid mat. leave. You can collect unemployment insurance from the government and by law your job must be kept for you for a year. Dad's can get Paternity leave if the mom doesn't take Mat. leave. You can get it for adoption too! I guess I shouldn't complain... You still accumulate seniority and Annual leave/PTO while you are on maternity leave too.

ONCRN84 · Oct 11, 2009

Check with your human resources. At my hospital, you get 6 weeks unpaid for lady partsl and 8 weeks unpaid for c-section. You can use sick time, vacation time, etc. After a year of employment, you can implement FMLA and take up to 12 weeks off unpaid.

kimmersRN · Oct 11, 2009

Dang, an entire year? That's wild and unheard of. Wow, I just started back to work after taking 2 weeks off ---I couldn't afford to take time without pay. Luckily my dear husband is wonderful with the kids while I'm at work!!!

Otherwise, I'd be up crap creek in a chicken wire canoe and no paddle. !

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 11, 2009

I went per diem a couple of months before my first child was born.

Per diem allowed me to work less than 12 hours, so I was able to work up until the end. (Worked 4 hours in the morning and went to the hospital to deliver that night)

I did some saving of money to have some savings to help with the adjustment.

Going back to work took some planning.

Parenthood totally kicked my butt and I was tired all the time, and I never worked as much per diem as I thought I would.

I congratulate new parents who survive full time that first year.

mamamerlee, LPN · Oct 11, 2009

You may be confusing maternity leave with FMLA. Make an appt, as suggested, with HR to get clarification. And regardless of which is appropriate, you will need documentation. Where I lived for my first baby (now 24) 6 weeks was standard for vag, 8 for C-section. I had some minor complications with my incision and my MD wrote for 2 extra weeks. I never returned to my job after the birth of my second, (he turned 18 yesterday!), so it was a moot point.

And returning will be very difficult on so many levels - physical, emotional, etc.

If you love your job it will be easier.