Spoke to the proper people at my job about maternity leave this week. I do not qualify for FMLA, but my job does offer short term disability for 6 weeks and 2 weeks of bonding time for 60-100% pay dependent on how long you’ve been an employee, whether you’re full or part time, etc. I qualified for the full 8 weeks at 100%. Here’s my problem- they told me I can’t start my leave a week before my due date unless my doctor can show proof that it is medically necessary (bed rest, preterm labor signs, etc). I have been admitted three times for contractions, and have progressed 1cm and 10% every 1 1/2 weeks for the last few weeks (I’m now 36 weeks and 3cm and 80%). However I haven’t been put on bed rest or anything. I work an hr and a half away from the hospital I will deliver at and am just not comfortable being at work the week leading up to. My question is, has anyone else been told this by their work? How are you getting around it if at all? I’ve never heard of this before and am super not down to chance being stuck on a 1 1/2 hr drive while having contractions. Thanks in advance to anyone that responds!!