Maternity leave

Brenda
So my employer is asking for some kind of note from my doctor indicating the date I will be going on maternity leave but my doctor said they are unable to provide such thing that everything must be done by EDD. So how will my employer be notified when I need to leave work?? Why can't my doctor make a simple note ?? My friend who is pregnant was able to get one from her doctor why can't I? Any suggestions