Planning For Maternity Leave
Welcome back readers, we appreciate you joining us. We all know how exciting it can be for a new little member to be joining the family. It can be so exciting but it can also become overwhelming. It can get crazy between your prenatal appointments, setting up the nursery, trying to plan for your birth, preparing your birth wishes, planning for your maternity leave can sometimes be pushed to the very bottom of your list. Planning for maternity leave isn’t something you should be doing in a rush, taking the time to plan for your leave can help set you up for success in your transition into parenthood, making it smoother and less stressful. We’d like to remind you that your maternity leave isn’t only about time off from work-it’s about creating space for you to recover, bond and begin to adjust to the new rhythm of your life.
Plan Early
Some of you might be expecting your first child, or you might be expecting your second, third, or fourth, and your leave planning for your leave can become something dreadful. Maternity leave can look different for many people; some people prefer to take their leave during the second trimester, while others like to wait until they go into labor. The earlier you start to think and plan your maternity leave, the more options you will have. Many birthing parents start to plan around the second trimester, when pregnancy begins to be more stable.
It varies depending on your job; some places offer a longer maternity leave, and others offer less time. We recommend that you understand all of your options, so you can make the best decisions for your family and avoid any last-minute stress.
Here are a few questions to keep in mind:
How much maternity leave is available through your employer?
Is your maternity leave paid, partially paid, or unpaid?
Are there any state or federal programs that can help give you more time with your family?
How much time do you think you will like or need to take?
You don’t need to feel like you have to have everything figured out; you can take your time to learn what you and your family need. I’m sure that you may already have several things on your plate, so make sure you have someone supporting you to help. There are various routes that you can take, and there is government assistance if you do need it.
Work Policies
Workplaces are different; they all have different parental leave policies. Some offer paid leave, while others like to rely on programs like short-term disability or FMLA. You should ask all your questions to your higher-ups and/or the HR department. You should review your company’s job policies and ask for help with your maternity leave planning.
It is helpful to get all of the important questions answered:
Will your benefits continue during your maternity leave?
If your leave is paid, how will pay be handled?
What paperwork needs to be completed, and by when, will HR need it?
Will they check in with you before your maternity leave comes to an end?
Does your employer offer FMLA?
Knowing the answers to all of the important questions will help you plan better. You’ll be better prepared, setting the time aside to help put your mind at ease and to make sure you aren’t rushing any important decisions that could impact your leave.
Financial Preparation
For many families, finances can play a big role in stressors during pregnancy. Especially if the leave is unpaid. It can create very difficult situations for the families, putting pressure on the parents. Many families plan for a “Maternity leave budget”. Based on the monthly expenses and monthly income, your family will have during your maternity leave. Many people can relate to building their budget for their maternity leave. It can be hard to stick to a rigid budget, but know that it will really help you save, especially if your leave is unpaid.
Creating a savings cushion before your maternity leave can help reduce financial stress while having to adjust to your life with your new baby. Even a few months of saving can make a significant difference for your family. This cushion can be super beneficial for you and your family down the road. If you feel that finances are getting tight, it’s nice to have that cushion of savings to fall back on.
We understand that due to finances, you might need to go back to work earlier than planned. Please know that we recommend putting your health as your main priority. We want to ensure that you're mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to re-enter your work environment feeling ready.
Planning Your Work Transition
We all wish for a smooth transition into maternity leave, and we want to feel confident going into our leave. We want to feel worry-free and like we are able to step away from our work responsibilities and enjoy our time with our baby and family. Our wants and needs are valid in our workplace, and with that comes clear communication with the employer of your responsibilities before you leave, and setting expectations for communication during your leave. Depending on how accessible you’d like to be, it’s important to relay that information to them before you leave.
Transitions into your leave can also look like having to train a new employee or your temporary replacement. That means organizing your documents and work responsibilities. Delegating tasks to the right people and making sure they have access to everything they might need.
Make sure to take it day by day and to rely on your coworkers so you don’t get stressed over things that are out of your control. It can also be very easy to be anxious about your leave, worrying about your workload being taken on by someone else, or if the new trainee will be able to manage your work responsibilities. This is normal. You can be reassured that your employer will be able to take care of everything during your leave, and they, too, should help make your transition go easily for you. Doing this can help you feel more relaxed and at ease to step away from your work, knowing your responsibilities will be handled and kept organized just as you left them.
Give Yourself Grace
Maternity leave isn’t a vacation; it’s full of sleepless nights, emotional adjustments, hormonal shifts, learning your baby, and physical recovery. This is not some walk in the park; it can become difficult, and if you feel overwhelmed or like you're struggling, you aren’t alone! Allow yourself the time and space to catch up with your new way of life. You have to understand that your body just went through birth, and recovery is so important. Some nights can feel endless, while some days brimming with joy-it’s normal. Your family is stepping into this new season and making sure you are walking into it holding hands, always knowing you can rely on each other. Give yourself permission to heal, to rest, and take things one step at a time.
Building Your Support System
Little by little, you will notice your support system during your pregnancy. It could be your parents, your partner, your best friend, or your siblings. The most valuable thing you can do is build your own support system. We all know that labor is not something we were meant to do alone, but neither is going through postpartum. Many families will have in-laws staying with them for support. Surrounding yourself with people who you know care, love you, and will support you in your most important moments is key.
These people may include:
Partner
Family members
Friends
A postpartum doula
Lactation consultants
Parenting support groups
It matters to have a beautiful network of caring people around you. Planning for maternity leave shouldn’t be stressful, nor should it be a last-minute thing; creating the time and space to welcome this new chapter of your life and caring for yourself during your transition is very important. All it takes is a little planning, communication, and support from those you love. Maternity leave can be such a meaningful experience, full of so many amazing things-don’t miss it. Thank you for joining us. We will see you next week.