I posted this in central pregnancy but also sharing here since we're ask in December and someone here might be able to use this.

passing this along in case it could help anyone. so there's a clause in the fmla policy that you can "extend" the 12 weeks by returning to work part time. your employer has to approve this but my employer is more than happy to approve it bc it means they have me back a little sooner.

but essentially the reason this works in my favor (and might help others): my company gives you your paid time off bank for the year as of january 1st. my baby is due December 6th. if I decided to take the full 12 weeks off, my pto and std will only cover 6 weeks and then id have another 6 weeks off without pay. if I deliver on 12/6 (wishful thinking I know) I will be off 6 weeks and then return part time on the 7th week for say 2-3 days a week. bc I'm working again and it's after january 1st, I now get pto for 2019 which means the days I take off each week are now paid. and I'm still protected under fmla. so rather than having 12 full weeks iff, I have 6 full weeks off and then work part time for 8-10 weeks still receiving full pay. it's totally gaming the system to avoid having time off without pay and it's not exactly ideal bc you do have to go back to work when we only want to be home with our babies. and I get this is like a weird situation and won't work for everyone but I thought I would pass this info along ask the same in case it helps anyone