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Prepare for Maternity Leave
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Step 3:
Decide what you want
Once you know how much maternity leave you qualify for, you need to decide when to take it (and maybe even how much of it you can afford to take). If you have a number of job responsibilities, you may also need to consider how they'll be covered in your absence in order to allay any fears your boss may voice when you announce your pregnancy. Consider these points:
Your due date. Most mothers-to-be schedule the week before their due date as the beginning of maternity leave.
Flexibility. In case of an emergency, or if your doctor orders bed rest before the baby is born, you'll want your plans to accommodate these unexpected changes. If someone is taking over your tasks, make sure he or she can be ready to do so at least one month early if needed.
Your partner's available time. Consider any time you may want to spend with your partner before the baby arrives, and when your partner can schedule that time. Also consider how much he or she may be available to care for your child when you have to return to work.
Time you want to take. Some pregnant mothers recommend taking all the time you have available. They point out that once you have your child, you're going to be busier and more involved with her or him than you could possibly expect. Don't give up your special time too easily!
Work flow. Maybe you're involved in a significant project at work, and you need to sign off on it before you embark on maternity leave. Maybe you need to avoid signing on to any new, long-term projects, plus make sure someone else is available to fill your shoes for certain tasks. All of this should be figured out (tentatively, at least) before you announce to your boss that you're pregnant. This way, you can instantly allay any fears she or he has about the company getting along without you for an extended period of time.
Your return. If you want, try to build flexibility into your work schedule upon your return by arranging for telecommuting, job sharing, or shortened weeks. It's best to propose and secure these considerations before leaving.
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