u/throwaway7372528495

Medical Leave before Maternity Leave

Hi there,

I am freaking out and need some reassurance and advice.

I am 31+1 today and in short my mental health has taken a dive off a cliff. Both my OB and Psych want me out starting sooner versus later on Medical Leave with STD because I am having panic attacks near daily. If I take leave I would be doing an IOP program basically until baby is here. I have an existing medical disability disclosed at my organization where I’ve been employed the past 5 years. Pregnancy and unfortunately a very toxic and psychologically unsafe workplace have exacerbated this into a full blown flare.

Examples of toxic workplace: potential pregnancy discrimination, ada discrimination, and retaliation

- I’ve had a hard medically challenging pregnancy. Requested PWFA accommodation with boss (was not given any other direction to file) to not be on camera due to HG so I could continue to work. Boss changed her mind after granting because “it felt awkward”
- “Feedback” after glowing EOY and Q1 review came after taking PTO. No examples of feedback causing actions (“take more leadership”, “emails can be unintentionally direct”) have been provided.) I have been advised this is NOT a PIP.
- no one else on team has had challenges taking sick time (I’ve taken 4 days this year) or PTO which is “unlimited” (of which I’ve only taken 11 days total).
there are more documented examples but these should give a clear picture.

After baby arrives would then transfer me to medical leave for however baby arrives - baby is transverse now so currently looking like a c-section.

FMLA would start when I go on medical leave, and then OB would write my works disability company (Hartford) for a PWFA extension of leave as medically there would be a 4 week unprotected gap post birth at the longest. I would also request extension via HR at my company once baby is here.

My job provides 12 weeks of paid maternity leave separate from FMLA / medical leave, so all in all I would not be returning to work til late Feb / early March.

I am scared to get the help I need because of potential retaliation from my company. I understand in theory that is illegal but I am just worried and freaking out.

Can someone give me advice on what to do, or share their experience?

Hi there,

I am freaking out and need some reassurance and advice.

I am 31+1 today and in short my mental health has taken a dive off a cliff. Both my OB and Psych want me out starting sooner versus later on Medical Leave with STD because I am having panic attacks near daily. If I take leave I would be doing an IOP program basically until baby is here.

They would then transfer me to medical leave for however baby arrives - baby is transverse now so currently looking like a c-section.

FMLA would start when I go on medical leave, and then OB would write my works disability company (Hartford) for a PWFA extension of leave as medically there would be a 4 week unprotected gap post birth at the longest. I would also request extension via HR at my company once baby is here.

My job provides 12 weeks of paid maternity leave separate from FMLA / medical leave, so all in all I would not be returning to work til late Feb / early March.

I am scared to get the help I need because of potential retaliation from my company. I understand in theory that is illegal but I am just worried and freaking out.

Can someone give me advice on what to do, or share their experience?

Hi there,

I am freaking out and need some reassurance and advice.

I am 31+1 today and in short my mental health has taken a dive off a cliff. Both my OB and Psych want me out starting sooner versus later on Medical Leave with STD because I am having panic attacks near daily. If I take leave I would be doing an IOP program basically until baby is here.

They would then transfer me to medical leave for however baby arrives - baby is transverse now so currently looking like a c-section.

FMLA would start when I go on medical leave, and then OB would write my works disability company (Hartford) for a PWFA extension of leave as medically there would be a 4 week unprotected gap post birth at the longest. I would also request extension via HR at my company once baby is here.

My job provides 12 weeks of paid maternity leave separate from FMLA / medical leave, so all in all I would not be returning to work til late Feb / early March.

I am scared to get the help I need because of potential retaliation from my company. I understand in theory that is illegal but I am just worried and freaking out.

Can someone give me advice on what to do, or share their experience?