Related Posts
Has anyone taken STD/parental leave at both Js?
More Posts
Anybody at IBM who can refer me
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Has anyone taken STD/parental leave at both Js?
Anybody at IBM who can refer me
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Copy and paste embed code on your site

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

I took all of it. Take it all. It’s protected and it exists for a reason. I was so swollen and uncomfortable immediately before starting leave from sitting at my desk all day. Also, your baby really can come any time.
Take the leave. Help change the culture. Also your colleagues are not entitled to know your due date. They don’t need to even know you’re taking it all
This.
I took all 4 weeks. If you don’t take the 4 weeks prior, you lose it and can’t add it after delivery. I was paid through the state and my firm paid the additional amount.
I wanted to take all 4 weeks but ended up with only 2 weeks because baby came “early” — my due date was wrong. I knew it but OB didn’t believe it. You qualify for disability 4 weeks prior to your due date. The 4 weeks are use it or lose it - so recommend taking it all if you can.
How was your due date wrong?
I did as a senior associate at the time. No regrets and no blowback.
I’ll add that admittedly week 36 and 37 I was feeling 100% fine but I was definitely glad to be home once week 38 hit. Regardless, as others have said, it’s a take it or leave it, and it allowed me to rest and do so many things I had been pushing off due to work. If I have a 2nd I’m definitely doing it.
I was in big law for all 3 of my pregnancies.
Baby 1 was due on the 18th. Work needed me to stay to train my replacement so my last day was the 27th. Baby came the 12th.
Baby 2 was due the 6th. Last day of work was the 9th (of the month before). Baby came on the 4th. I greatly appreciated having as much time as I did beforehand. I was beat at the end!
Baby 3 was due the 13th, with a scheduled induction for the 9th. Last day of work was the 21st. Baby came on the 3rd. I felt incredibly unprepared.
Take the time. There's no benefit to you or the baby to keep working at the end.
I’m not in CA but I had preeclampsia and my doctor put me on short-term disability for bed rest at 36. Baby came at 37+1
I took all 4 weeks twice. No blowback, partners didn’t even realize how much time I took off total. It’s helpful. Prioritize your own health, no one else is going to do it for you.
I took almost all of it. What I didn’t realize is that it benefit my firm financially more than me. They agreed to pay 2 full months of leave plus a third month with partial pay. But they prorate taking into account any money given by the state, so it just meant they had to pay me less and I didn’t get any extra pay!
Conversation Starter
Depends on how you feel toward the end but I preferred to use my disability time postpartum. I didn't take any disability leave in advance.
Conversation Starter
I took time off before baby because Dad was on hospice. My situation is different.
Having a hard time finding a single person at my firm who did…average seems to be 1-2 weeks.
Try not to let others’ lack of boundaries control what you do. Easier said than done, but the time is legally yours!