***May Blossoms Due Dates Join Here**47 Babies Born!***

[lisaf]

cheree - depending on the state you are in and a few other things, you may qualify for more leave.
Payment and leave are totally different things.

I process payroll and have educated myself quite a bit on all the maternity laws if you're interested.

In California we get up to 16 weeks leave... but only if you are medically disabled for that long. We still only get 6-8 weeks after delivery... so I sort of hope I get some time off before, lol!
We have disability pay for any medical disability time off.
I don't qualify for the federal leave because my company is too small, but if you do qualify for FMLA, then you get up to 12 weeks total (unpaid).
California has paid family leave which covers you for the other 6 weeks of the 12 week leave.

I have to see how generous my workplace will be... they CAN grant you more leave, they just aren't required to.

 

[new_to_ttc]

6 weeks is no time at all to have a baby and settle down I do know we are super lucky over here, and our mat leave has just been increased from 26 weeks to 33 weeks, plus we're entitled to 33 weeks (I think) unpaid, plus many employers give additional leave. When I had Joshua it was 26 weeks paid, 26 weeks unpaid, then my employer offer 52 weeks at basic income (I didnt take it but it was offered). I dont know how they justify 6 weeks over there

 

[new_to_ttc]

Ahhh I just read that article, the one I intend to purchase comes with an inlay which prevents the baby from rolling. I assume these incidents are the reason for the new design.

 

[lisaf]

well, the doctors are the ones who say you are medically capable of returning to work after 6 weeks (8 for c-sections). If the doctors changed the guidelines, we'd get more time.

Even still, you have to meet certain requirements like working at a company for a year with a minimum of 1250 hours in the past 12 months. Some states only have the federal job protection... so in those states, if your employer has fewer than 50 employees, you will lose your job for taking any leave in excess of that which they would give someone with a temporary disability.

Its super harsh on the women, but I also see some of it from the employer's perspective... it would be very hard to manage a company with somebody gone for a whole year.

 

[new_to_ttc]

It sounds rubbish Lisa Just out of shear noseyness... what do the fathers get?

 

[Wiggler]

Just thought, if anyone has Facebook or MSN here is my adds

FB: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000290976849

MSN: [email protected]

xxxxxx

 

[hopefulmama]

THe US is Bullshit concerning so many things, this country has become 2nd world and is borderline pathetic. I am lucky to have a Spanish passport as well, so when i travel to other countries I don't have to use the US, it's honestly embarrassing how foreigners regard americans.

 

[lisaf]

fathers can take FMLA... which is up to 12 weeks in a year unpaid leave (can be taken for family illnesses etc but can also be taken to bond with a new baby). He still has to qualify for this leave by working for an employer who has 50 employees within a 75 mile radius and having worked the minimum of a year and 1,250 hours in the past 12 months.
But if husband and wife work for the same employer, they can only take a total of 12 weeks between them.

Some companies are nicer... my company gives fathers 2 weeks paid leave when they have their babies.

 

[mummy3]

Yep my husband gets 2 weeks paid leave when we have the baby.

I wrote a whole page earlier and the stupid computer wiped it

Kim, the sonagrapher was certain and its guarenteed lol, got another scan at the ob next monday anyway and she will determine the gender for sure before the progesterone injections.

New, thats a really nice buggy

Wiggler at the condom hoover

Next week marks the start of my weekly appointments, dunno where the time is going?! We bought some preemie nappies and babygros at the weekend and I need my hospital bag packed by 24 weeks on docs orders so really have to get on with it but can't decide what to pack.

Will get the pics from the scan up asap, last night we forgot due to chinese takeaway coma but will do when hubby home.

When is everyone decorating for xmas? I want to start soon, I have my list and im itching to start, got a water activity station and some hello kitty stuff for them so far

Hopeful, our whole family is dual citizens for the UK and America, im also an Australian permenant resident lol so yeah I get what you mean! How are you feeling?

Twinmummy, yay for the good scan but I'm sorry you're bleeding still, take it easy

 

[lisaf]

AH!!! I want to start shopping for Xmas but I don't know what to get anyone but DH... and I'm not sure I want to commit to buying his present because I don't think he'll get much use out of it once the baby is here, lol! I kind of wanted him and me to go in together on somethign for both of us. ARGH

And I thought I'd make some presents knitting scarves etc, but now I'm afraid I won't finish them in time.. why oh why didn't I start knitting Xmas presents in March?

 

[hopefulmama]

Mummy- Ya it's convenient to have dual citizenship. I am feeling well, all last week my daily naps weren't needed and i had a lot more energy, as of yesterday it's gone back to 2 hr naps a day.

Only thing I am really having issues with is always being hungry, like I just ate a big plate of brown rice with mushrooms, spinach, zucchini and grilled chicken and I got full and felt great then 15 min later, I'm starving. today while cooking lunch i went thru 2 pitas and hummus. It's a bit out of hand all this hunger. I haven't even been exercising accept for walking dogs 20 min 2x a day, so all this extra need for calories is nuts, my doctor said don't eat more than an extra 200-300 calories a day but I can't help myself. If i was eating junk food I would feel worse about the extra food intake, but its just odd to eat this much to me.
How are you feeling?

So i bought my first baby item today this super luxe winged glider, in this cream/grey color, heres the link, but it only shows it in brown.
https://www.modmama.com/19716.html

i'm also thinking of ordering this in dark wood, seems like a very chic crib plus has all the extra uses:
https://www.modmama.com/15851.html

 

[lisaf]

oooh, I want hummus now!!! You ladies always get me craving something!

Sometimes your body knows what it needs.. some women eat everything in sight and don't put on more than the recommended weight.. some stick to the specific diet restrictions and pack on the pounds. I ate like crazy for weeks to keep the nausea down and wasn't gaining at all.. it was very bizarre!

 

[cheree89]

Lisa -

Yes I will qualify for FMLA, but I need the $$$$

I do qualify for 10 weeks of short term disability if I need to have off before the birth, but it would have to be a medical reason (e.g. prescribed bed rest). Honestly, I would rather be able to work! The thought of bed rest makes me panic - I am a workaholic both at home and at work and with everything I do in my life.

I am hoping that my boss (who really likes me) will consider allowing me to work from home part time after the baby is born. However, my company has no official work from home policy (meaning they generally don't allow it).

On a lighter note - I am sooooo excited for the holidays. I love this time of year, especially getting presents for everyone - what fun!

 

[lisaf]

lol.. well you're better off than most with the FMLA and the disability pay.
Lots of women get signed off from work or put on part-time prior to birth. So if that happens, at least you will be covered for some extra time.

I hope I can transition back slowly and maybe work 4 days a week for a month etc..

Do you have sick/vacation time to cover part of the FMLA leave? Will your company force you to use all your sick/vacation time first?

 

[mummy3]

Ooh hummus, I want some now, when I was in Isreal I had the best hummus ever

Hoeful, that crib and chair are gorgeous, defo very chic! With the hunger, you may actually need the calories. If you dieted beforehand, then after the initial gain as your body gets used to more calories your metabolism then speeds up. It sounds like you have a very very healthy diet though so I wouldn't worry too much

Lisa I would do exactly the same thing maybe give the people you want to give scarves to an IOU note

 

[lisaf]

LOL... only problem is... if I give IOUs, I will never get them done! As soon as I finish Xmas gifts, I want to get going on baby stuff!
I just need to stop being lazy and stay off BnB at night and knit for more than 5 minutes at a time.

 

[hopefulmama]

Mummy- Thanks! I want everything to very modern but with baroque touches, i don't want it to seem to baby-ish, just a happy medium between normal and baby.
As for the food, ya before i was pregnant i didn't eat much at all, just one large meal and small stuff earlier in the day I guess my body is just stocking up on food.

 

[luckyme225]

I took 12 weeks off with my son. I did have to use all my PTO/ sick time. My husband only used 3 week FMLA because he didn't want to use his vacation pay so he took it unpaid. He will probably do the same this time.

I'm always so tired zzzzzzz. When is the stage where you get your energy back coming? I feel like it's getting worse. Of course it doesn't help that I'm not aloud to work out.

I'm craving homemade salsa, yummy.

 

[BizyBee]

Hi girls. Finally had a chance to read back. I'm a teacher so plan on leaving in May and going back in September for the new school year. Our contract allows for up to 2 years unpaid leave and they will guarantee your position when you return. However, health insurance is only covered for 12 weeks so you'd have to pay the full price (really expensive for our plan) or change to your husband's insurance plan. In our case, I need to go back to work to be able to afford our lifestyle. My insurance plan is awesome and I'll def need it when I have a new baby. Also, we have mortgage and car payments that would be difficult for hubby to cover on his own. We're trying to get my mother to take care of the baby when we return, but she may not be able to financially. We'll figure it out soon.

Haven't really bought anything yet. We're waiting until our gender scan on Dec. 27th before making big purchases.

 

[24/7]

Hello MS. Ugh, is it weak to have yet another day off? x