I was going thru paperwork from my second to last pregnancy and had to make sure I shared this experience. I was working in state of PA at the time and part of my benefit package is a short term and long term disability package. For pregnancy, we can utilize our short term disability post partum. They give us 6 weeks pay (72% of full wages) for a vaginal birth or 8 weeks for a c section. It comes in a lump sum check and it is very nice to have. We have paperwork given to us by our manager that we submit to our obgyn and then sign a release for our obgyn to communicate with this insurance company. I was never really given any other information about my policy just that verbal info from the company owner and my manager.

Anyways, what I didnt know is for many many of these policies you have to work up until the day before delivery or have to have some kind of medical exemption to take leave early. I did not know this. I was due on August so I was heavily pregnant during the hottest time of year. I decided that I would take my leave Aug 12 w my scheduled induction Aug 19. When I submitted my claim for my postpartum period to the short term disability company, they denied me! **ETA: I DIDNT ASK TO HAVE ANY OF THE TIME PRIOR TO MY INDUCTION TO BE PART OF THE CLAIM or to be paid.. I used 3 days of PTO and then didnt get paid for 2 days of the work week before my induction. ** I filed the claim from the date of induction (8/19 as he was also born that day thru 6 weeks as I was allowed as he was a vaginal delivery). On my paperwork that was part of the claim it asked last date of work and then obviously date of delivery. I had no idea I had to have a medical exemption to take leave before delivery and still be eligible to claim the 6 week post partum period. Luckily, my Dad is a lawyer and I did have some medical issues (high blood pressure and some other issues) that ultimately allowed my doctor to fill out the exemption form. I won my payment on appeal but had I not had the high blood pressure issues I would have gotten nothing!

Just wanted to share for all moms to be out there in the same boat as me. Pls ask for copies of the exact policy and send an email to the rep at the insurance company that handles your companies claims to see if there are restrictions on taking early leave or anything at all.. best of luck ♥️