https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:15:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676856 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:36:58 +0000 ChitownRo 1676856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks in total. 6 weeks paid using my saved up sick time. Then 2 weeks paid using the rest of my vacation (forced to do this otherwise would have saved it and been unpaid) 4 weeks unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676827 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 21:59:22 +0000 Purpledaisy 1676827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 weeks before and 9.5 weeks after. I received short term disability for everything besides the last 1.5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676424 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 19:02:47 +0000 doodlepoodle 1676424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 short weeks. I used my STD and PTO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676413 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:56:45 +0000 MrsA 1676413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>24 weeks, 16 at full pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676269 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:30:46 +0000 pl0508 1676269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>15 weeks - paid </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676255 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:15:58 +0000 mlm2934 1676255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be taking 12 weeks:</p> <p>4 weeks @ 60% (STD)<br /> 2.5 weeks @ 100% (vacation days)<br /> 5.5 weeks unpaid </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676251 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:14:15 +0000 keiki_mama 1676251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 months </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1676237 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:02:20 +0000 teamjse 1676237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3 months, but I started working from home for another 3 months before I went back to the office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675869 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:43:50 +0000 Bookish 1675869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@derevival: @littlebug: It is sad. A big part of why we have to wait 2 years to TTC #2 is because I have to either hoard 8 weeks of PTO, or save up 2-3 months of my salary to cover the unpaid time. Stinks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675868 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:43:33 +0000 hellobeeboston 1675868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 4 months, the last few weeks totally unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675841 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:35:18 +0000 avivoca 1675841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks. Four weeks were paid through salary or PTO, the other nine were unpaid. I would have loved to take longer, but I already don't qualify for FMLA and my company was generous in letting me take 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675733 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:10:45 +0000 MrsF 1675733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 12 weeks. The first 6 were paid via my short term disability (which I pay into for this reason) the second 6 I took PTO.</p> <p>I'm already saving up PTO for baby #2! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675699 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:02:42 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1675699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675696 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:01:41 +0000 littlebug 1675696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks, but only 10.5 were with baby. 6 weeks paid 66% with STD, 5 weeks PTO, the rest unpaid. </p> <p>Reading all these responses is making me angry. 'Merica. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675695 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:01:35 +0000 mdf106 1675695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 weeks unpaid. I checked my e-mail and did some continuing ed during that time. DH SAH and brought LO into work once a day to breastfeed until 12 weeks, because I was most worried about establishing breastfeeding. I felt physically able to work by two weeks postpartum. While I would have preferred my leave to be paid, I was fine with the length of time. I am lucky that LO has always been an excellent sleeper, and DH SAH, which helped immensely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675611 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:31:11 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1675611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 12 weeks off and plan to do about the same this time. Although I do have more time saved up so I might talk about a Part Time / work from home option for maybe another two weeks or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675583 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:22:23 +0000 katsupgirl 1675583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 8 months. The first 4 were paid because I had sick and vacation leave I could use. It's crazy but my union says I can be out for 4 years on leave. It's unpaid unless you have time banked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675488 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:56:54 +0000 meganmp 1675488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took from Oct 19-March 19, but that included the month prior to the kids being born that my doctor wanted me off my feet., as well as 2 weeks of Christmas break from school. I had short term disability that covered a few weeks, and piles of sick time accrued over my many years as a teacher. I ended up with about a month of time unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675482 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:54:16 +0000 PurplePeony 1675482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 12.5 weeks, but did a few half-days in the office toward the end to ease myself back in. I had hoarded my sick and vacation time for a couple years in anticipation of having to use it for maternity leave, so I ended up not having to take any unpaid leave. I likely won't be able to do that to the same extent if we decide to have a second child, so if we do, at least some of my leave would have to be unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675439 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:42:21 +0000 kiddosc 1675439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 weeks, all paid by PTO </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675346 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:16:13 +0000 singingbee 1675346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 weeks at half pay and then an additional 6 weeks paid because I got to use my saved up sick leave. I also got some extra weeks added in there due to the holidays, so it worked out. I had her in October and went back in January. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675341 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:14:41 +0000 bushelandapeck 1675341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was allowed 12 (6 paid though STD, 6 unpaid) but I was laid off while on leave. I ended up staying home 9 months. This time, I plan to take 4-5 months unless I end up staying at home instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675335 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:12:11 +0000 yellowbird 1675335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>9 weeks, all unpaid.</p> <p>For future little ones I plan on taking 12 or more. It will all be unpaid, but I've started a savings account specifically for leave time. I will be prepared! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675247 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:41:00 +0000 lilteacherbee 1675247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 weeks, all unpaid </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675232 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:34:08 +0000 derevival 1675232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It makes me really sad looking at these posts. I can't believe our country doesn't have a better federal law to support parents. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675222 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:29:08 +0000 regberadaisy 1675222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>7 weeks? Only 5 was paid via STD which wasn't much. 1 week unpaid and 1 week of vacation. My company was too small to qualify for FMLA.</p> <p>This time I plan to take 6-8 weeks as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675220 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:28:24 +0000 jedeve 1675220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1 - 12 weeks, one month paid through sick leave, vacation time, and donated sick leave time. </p> <p>#2 - 12 weeks, hopefully at least one month paid through same avenues as above.</p> <p>I could take longer, but I don't know how long we can go without my paycheck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675188 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:19:40 +0000 Mrs Spoon 1675188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 14 weeks. 12 weeks paid at 66% through disability and state baby bonding leave &amp; 2 weeks PTO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675186 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:18:36 +0000 MamaMoose 1675186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>15 weeks, all paid at 100% (12 weeks maternity leave and three weeks of accrued vacation time). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/usa-wohm-how-much-maternity-leave-did-you-take/page/2#post-1675176 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:17:03 +0000 BlueWolverine 1675176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks, and I worked from home the last week of my pregnancy.</p> <p>I think I had about 8 weeks paid through sick/vacation time and then got some $$ (about 60%) through short term disability. The rest (prob about 3 weeks) was completely unpaid. I hate maternity leave policies here. Now I'm hoarding vacation and sick time until DH and I decide whether or not to have another. </p>