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Possibly going back early :(
I had planned on going back to work on March 1st. I just got a call from my HR dept saying that my DR's office only approved me for 6 weeks, not 8. I thought all along that since my short term disability covered 8 weeks for c-section that that's how long I had. Apparently my DR's office has a different policy and only does 6 weeks for c-section. MY DR is in surgery today, but they are going to talk to her about approving 2 more weeks and get back to me tomorrow. I hope she approves it, I'm so not ready to go back early and can't afford to take more than a week or so unpaid. 
Oh also the HR lady talked to my boss for me about having a place available for me to pump. They are letting me pump in the spare office...at the other end of the building from where my desk is...next to the offices of my male boss and male co-workers where I will have to carry the giant pump bag and then have them hear me pumping through the walls... Awesome...should be awkward...
Re: Possibly going back early :(
Ugh! That stinks. Hopefully they can work something out and give you 2 more week like you planned. And while it's good that you don't have to pump in a bathroom or something, that location does sound a little awkward. Maybe you can play music or something to drown out the pump noise.
FWIW, when I had Eli it was 6 weeks off for a vag delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section. My doctor said the regulations have changed since then and it's 6 weeks either way. Not sure if this is office policy or something bigger. My doctor did say she could approve more time if something comes up (mastitis, ppd, etc)
That totally sucks about having to go back. Hopefully the doctor can extend that somehow. Even though you are up and moving around you aren't fully healed yet. My scar was hurting over the weekend...15 months later.
Having an office to pump in is awesome. I know so many moms that pump in the bathroom or a storage closet. Everyone in our office knew what I was doing and at a full staff meeting they gave me the "privacy award" for having my separate office with a sign on the door.
You are doing something awesome for your kid and everyone should respect that and if they don't then they suck at life.
I feel like maternity leave stuff is so confusing!! My HR wasn't clear with me up front so I thought I had 8 weeks of STD but that was only for csection (6 weeks for vag)... but I have to use 1 week of earned time before the STD kicks in, so technically, I get 5 weeks of STD. I ended up taking 10 weeks total. I wish it was more clear.
I hope your doctor approves the 2 weeks!!!
DH works in disability insurance and deals this this all the time. I think he has said it's different by state, but most of the clients he deals with personally are in New York, which is 6 weeks vaginal/8 weeks c-section. However, he has said that he encounters plenty of situations like yours where the doctor doesn't think twice about signing off on extended leave, so fingers crossed that it works out in your favor.
I feel like whoever made up maternity leave rules has never birthed a baby. Mentally and physically, I would have been the worst employee ever at 6 weeks pp.
I'm sorry you have to waste time thinking about this and I hope your transition back goes smoothly.
This 100% (and kudos to you, Brianne!). Although it might not be ideal, it's awesome that they are giving you a private space to pump. Carry that pump bag past all the dudes with pride, knowing that you're working hard to provide your child with the best nutrition possible. It's a victory! FWIW, after six months of pumping, I've become completely indifferent to where I do it- over the holidays, I pumped in the airport terminal, and I pumped in the car on the way back from Biloxi last week. It's all about perspective!
That's incredibly frustrating about your leave time, and I will be crossing my fingers for you that your doctor signs off on the additional two weeks so you can be with your babe!
The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware; joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. -Henry Miller
http://cookthehumbletable.blogspot.com/
This well put. It is a victory so carry that bag with pride.
I also know a girl that has had to pump in a bank vault. And one that pumped in a gym sauna. You should come to group and hear the stories!!
Oh no! I really hope you can get more leave time approved!
The office pumping might not be as awkward as one would think at first. Our office walls are pretty thin too and one would think you could hear a pump going. But it's actually pretty quiet. Mothers who don't have offices of their own and have to pump in an empty office or go all the way to the first floor to the nurse's unit, carry their bags around all the time. I think most of the men don't have a clue what is in the bag. The bags people in my office use are close enough in shape to lunch bags that the men probably assume they are carrying lunch. In fact, I did hear one man asking about what was with the new trend in lunch bags with bright colors and patterns since he was seeing so many women carrying them. (As I've posted before, we're still in a baby boom at work. It shows no signs of ending, 3 years in.)
Thanks... I feel a bit better now. The office I get to use overlooks a super sketchy part of Portland where there is always some kind of action going on. Should be entertaining to watch out the window at least while I'm pumping. LOL
I wanted to come back and apologize...I lied earlier about it being different by state. He said it's actually up to the company and that a lot of companies do still have a six-week leave for any type of delivery, which is insane, but if your doctor can order the eight weeks, you should get it. Good luck!
I guess my company offers 8 weeks for c-section, so it's just up to my DR. Keeping my fingers crossed!