https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 10:31:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1642702 Sun, 18 May 2014 10:53:10 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1642702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nskillet: definitely ask! I had a csection with my first, too, and didn't even have my post-partum appointment until 8 weeks! I wasn't supposed to drive until then, either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1642692 Sun, 18 May 2014 10:50:20 +0000 Applesandbananas 1642692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there any other type of leave you can take? It'd suck to blow through sick/vacation but it would also be challenging to go back at 6 or 8 weeks pp. </p> <p>It sounds like a small company, could you talk to your manager or HR? Maybe they'd be willing to work out something more flexible?</p> <p>I had a c/s and physically, I could've returned to work at two or three weeks pp. I had an easy recovery but emotionally? No effing way could I have gone back before 8 weeks. Even at 13 weeks, I was still a mess. I think U.S. mat leave is a freaking joke. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1642687 Sun, 18 May 2014 10:47:49 +0000 MamaMoose 1642687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctors office just asked me how many weeks I was taking (I did 15) and they filled that in on the paperwork for my HR. They would have put whatever I asked them to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1642662 Sun, 18 May 2014 10:24:04 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1642662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 weeks is pretty standard for a c-section. I would let your doctor know you are worried about work, and ask what they recommend for maternity leave with a c-section. I am not clear on whether this is paid or unpaid leave, but if it is unpaid, I would let the doctor know that- it makes it more clear that you aren't scheming the system and just want more time to recover. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615621 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:22:09 +0000 blackbird 1615621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds kind of standard to me?.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615610 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:19:21 +0000 Nskillet 1615610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am also with a new OB so hoping she's a little less frigid. I was never trying to extend STD benefits. Just trying to get accommodated to recover more!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615603 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:17:26 +0000 Nskillet 1615603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KJPugs yes, I had a section with my first baby. I initially thought I would potentially try for a vaginal birth this time around but the risks outweigh the benefit and based on how my first delivery went I feel most comfort having a RCS..</p> <p>I will mention this all to my doctor today that they will give me 8 weeks with a doctors note but only 6 without one and if she would accommodate that request at delivery. I am so miffed at how much harder I have to work to get 8-10 weeks with my second child and am beyond irritated that I am being rushed back to work with no ability to take time off unpaid. I suppose this is something I should have closely looked at before accepting this position? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615491 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:46:09 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1615491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My old company used to give 12 weeks with a doctors note (and the HR lady encouraged you to ask for it!). I don't know anyone who had a hard time getting a note and the reason was usually to promote good bonding with the child. </p> <p>After they merged with a larger company (before I was pregnant) all requests were reviewed by the insurance company board and unless there were some extenuating circumstances, they typically gave 6 weeks for vaginal and 8 weeks for c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615461 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:36:39 +0000 ShootingStar 1615461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My company's STD policy only lets you take 6 weeks for either type of birth. I had a c-section too, and was expecting 8, since that's what it was at my last job. They told me I could get a doctors note but that they would need to review my medical records and that if you have a desk job you should be fine to start working at 6 weeks. Apparently no one who makes these decisions ever actually had a baby.</p> <p>I ended up not asking for the doctor's note because I was worried about the whole medical records thing, and my 6 week pp visit was delayed due to a snow storm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615443 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:32:44 +0000 mamimami 1615443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would just depend on the doctor. If you have a doctor who believes strongly in establishing that breastfeeding relationship or dyad or whatever they call it, to promote bonding, lactation, help prevent mood issues, etc., I bet he or she would consider it medically necessary for you to take more time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615363 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:11:25 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1615363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought for vaginal it was 6 weeks, but for a C-Section it was pretty standard to prescribe 8 weeks? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615360 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:09:42 +0000 kjpugs 1615360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have a c-section with LO#1? (I'm assuming you have a LO based on your last comment?)</p> <p>If that is the case, I would bring it up with your OB that last delivery you really needed the 8 weeks and that your work allows 8 weeks with a doctor's note. My work is the same way, but I didn't have a C-section so I just took my stupid 6 weeks.</p> <p>It doesn't make sense to me that they jumped down your throat (or so it seems.) I think if you approached it like your work allows 6 standard knowing that anything longer will get a doctor's note. I don't think any OB would shut down the idea that a C-section doesn't need 8 weeks. So I'd definitely keep asking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615289 Tue, 06 May 2014 07:43:42 +0000 Ash 1615289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told by my hr lady that you can ask your dr for 8 weeks. But I'm not sure how willing all docs would be. I got 12 weeks this pregnancy but I won't with my next and I'll definitely ask for 8! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doctors-note-to-extend-leave#post-1615268 Tue, 06 May 2014 07:34:05 +0000 Nskillet 1615268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if any doctors on this board can weigh in on this topic. I work for a company who's maternity leave is based on "doctors recommendation" and without it they only allow for 6 weeks of leave. I am not eligible for personal leave because they have a ridiculous policy that states you have to be employed 2+ years before you can take unpaid leave. I am also FMLA ineligible.</p> <p> I'm not looking to scam the system and get more paid time off but I am a c-section mama who needed 8 weeks of recovery after the birth of my first baby. I want to ask my doctor her opinion on this but when I broached the subject with a former OB they told me if they wrote me a note it would be considered fraud because they felt I was ready medically to return to work.</p> <p>Has anyone else requested a doctors note to prolong their maternity leave? How did you approach this?</p> <p>Edit: I worked for a larger company before this pregnancy and was FMLA eligible so the length of my leave was not an issue like this time. </p>