Do you think ob/gyn will give me a hard time about taking off from work before giving birth?

Question

I'm 29 weeks right now and been doing research about when I should stop working. I work from 9-6, 5 days a week, selling auto insurance (yes a desk job, but it still can be stressful at times, especially having to deal with irate customers) and I am soooo exhausted! I am slightly anemic. Problems w/pregnancy: exhaustion, back aches, headaches (more recently), severe round ligament pain & last week I had a sharp pain in my belly button that hurt more when I moved or walked.
Anyways, I am going to see my ob/gyn next tuesday and I want to discuss with her the possiblity of me leaving work in the next few weeks. I can't just quit my job bc i carry the health insurance & if I go on maternity leave, I can still have it. My question is, has anyone had any problems w/their doc not wanting to sign a note approving early maternity leave? Stupid question, I know, but I want to be prepared before I visit her.

Of course I don't want the doctor to lie. I simply want her to make a note for my work that says I'm okay to go on maternity leave, maybe in November. I'm due dec 25. I'm needing to know from people w/ experience, if I have a realatively normal pregnancy, will my doctor provide a note 1 or 2 months before I have the baby.
*unfortuantly, my job does not offer part-time
*maternity leave will be for 12 weeks

Wow this was a stupid question that i asked 7 years ago. I did "suck it up" till i gave birth and worked through my pregnancy. Chalk it up to being a first time mom. I then had 2 more babies later and within 1 year of each other. My 1st son was a handful and that was harder than being at an office job. Crazy how having multiple kids teaches you to "suck it up" and deal with things. Note: done having kids. LOL

Answer 1

You can do anything you want to, but the doctor can do the same. Who knows what they will say to you. All I have to say though is suck it up. Your "problems" aren't problems, they are normal for pregnacy, deal with it because labor and delivery is going to be alot worse and then once the baby comes, you are never going to sleep right again. Trust me. I worked all the way up to when I had my baby and I worked as a manager in a retail store. So I was on my feet 8-9 hours a day(sometimes even 12 hours a day), 6-7 days a week. I had my baby 2 weeks ealry because of it. You are lucky you have a sit down job. Get yourself a belly belt to help with the ligament pain and deal with your "problems" just like every other pregnant lady out there.

Answer 2

Probably not but it depends on local laws. In most places once a teen gives birth she is considered an adult, unless otherwise mentally incompetent. However in some places under 18 your guardian has to sign the birth certificate, even then if she knows who the father is and knowingly leaves him off that could be considered to be fraud. If her mom didn't need to sign then its definitely a crime to alter a signed document. Whether or not she decides to report her mom to the cops or otherwise take her to court is a separate issue. At this point dad just needs to go to court and prove paternity and he will be added to the certificate. Whether the paternity test they already have is enough is also a matter of local law.

Answer 3

There is a big difference from being uncomfortable (which you are), and disabled (which you are not).

It is FRAUD for your doctor to write a note saying that you cannot work when there is no legitimate medical condition preventing you from doing so. If your insurance company decided to investigate, which they sometimes do, your doctor could be in big trouble if she cannot prove that your desk job was putting your life and the baby's in jeopardy.
You would also be in trouble. I know of a case where the patient had to pay the insurance company back all of the money her illegitimate claim cost them.
Being exhausted, stressed, and slightly anemic doesn't constitute disability.

It puts a healthcare provider in a very difficult position when she is asked to sign papers or write notes like this. If she says "no" it's not because she doesn't care about you -- she just doesn't want to risk putting her license on the line and pay a huge fine.

I am sorry you are so miserable, I really am, but most pregnant women are in the last 2 months. Be glad that all of your discomforts are normal, and just try to carry on. It WILL be over eventually, it really will.

Answer 4

Well, I cant tell you what your DR will say, especially since you sit at work, but my DR wrote me out at 37 weeks, because I have a high stress job managing about 7 people, and I spend my entire shift on my feet. It didnt help that my employer was not at all sympathetic or patient, and even ignored DR's notes for reduced work. I went on bed rest twice and to the hospital once, so my DR had had enough. Knowing that I needed my insurance, she just pulled me out of work for all the weeks that I had available to me through my short term disability.(i had used all the sick and vaca I had for my hospital stays, and various dr appts) I would just make it clear that you feel like you have reached your limits and it wouldnt be good for you, if nothing else, emotionally, if you stayed working full time. Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't see why your doctor wouldn't do this for you. I know people who've taken paid stress leave for more mundane reasons than your's. You should take care of yourself. But personally, at least with my first two babies, I preferred to work until the last minute, so I could have as much of my time off work (in Canada, it's now a year) with them. But if your health is suffering, you have to do what's right for you. Most doctors are compassionate and will understand.

Answer 6

Sweetie, 1 do not feel bad about taking time off....I had some of the things you had also, and I took 6wks off! It's such a relief to be home and nest. Take time for yourself- put your feet up! Your OB/GYN will be OK with it b-cuz you know your body. Good Luck on your baby!!!! =)

Answer 7

Sorry hon - but it usually is a problem.
It might depends on what state you live in. I can tell you that in GA and AL they won't do it. My OBGYN wouldn't sign off even though I was passing out, swelling up and having to drive two hours each way. He told me a company sued him when one of their employees was put on maternity leave. The women was working in a chicken factory without AC in them middle of the summer in Alabama. It got to be over 100 degrees in the plant. She was spotting and cramping. She was already 36 weeks when the OBGYN put her on maternity leave. He still got sued and they won! So, I highly doubt that at 29 weeks anyone would let you go on maternity leave. I was told to "work it out" with my employer.
I hope your employer is understanding but my guess is - since all your symptoms are normal - you'll just to try to handle it for another 10 weeks.

Answer 8

How much maternity leave are you allowed? You still have 11 weeks until your due date! I would suggest hanging in there until you can no longer anymore that way you can take the majority of your maternity leave after you have the baby so you have time to recover, spend time with your newborn, and get back into working shape! Try to make it to at least 36-38 weeks.

Answer 9

If you are anemic and tell the doctor of the sharp pain, he will most likely suggest rest. You could also try part time or working out of your home. Before you ask for extra time off, check with the benefit division and make sure you will still be covered. Some places have health coverage limits. Mine was 6 weeks form date of delivery and before i was only allowed to use up sick days.
Good luck

Answer 10

Are you covered by FMLA? Does your company have more than 25 employees? Have you worked there more than a year. You are only guarunteed 12 weeks of unpaid leave, so if you take your leave early they do not have to hold your job for you after the 12 weeks is up.