Would You Rather! CSections & Maternity Leave

[Somers Isles]

A friend of mine actually kind of has this option. She's pregnant with her 2nd and is considering a vbac but then she realized the difference in maternity from her employer. I was surprised it was 16 weeks vs 8... I thought csections were 12, but I guess each employee can do what they please.

I had a csection with my first and an agonizing recovery so I prefer to go vbac simply to avoid the surgery... But man, 8 weeks is so quick!

So what say you... If you had to choose!

[Mermz]

If I were in her exact position, I'd take the RCS. Hell, I took the RCS anyway.

[kirotea]

My employer is similar - 8 wks vs 12. I think it's dumb and everyone should get 12 weeks.

[kirotea]

Or more, but you know.... we can't be as cool as Canada.

[Deleted]

Jan 22, 2015 17:31:48 GMT -5 kirotea said:

Or more, but you know.... we can't be as cool as Canada.

We are pretty cool.

[Deleted]

Jan 22, 2015 17:33:13 GMT -5 @pobrecita said:

I don't think 8 weeks is quick compared to what a lot of people get.

If I had already had a section, and it was going to be scheduled and not emergency, I would do another section.

Yup, 8 weeks is longer than what my former office offered.   I went for scheduled c sections for my second and third.   Unfortunately, they were uncooperative and came when they wanted anyway.  This would be a no-brainier for me.  16 weeks?!?!  Woot.  

[HelloSweetie]

I don't think I'd choose a CS just based on that if I'd never had one. But if I was looking at a RCS vs vbac it would probably come into consideration.

[thepardoner]

I had 2 C-sections. Recovery wasn't bad at all - it was the unpaid maternity leave that hurt. I only took 9 weeks with my last one because we needed the money.

[lilorangekitty]

I'd pick the csection

[bunnyfungo]

I should have read first. If it was me, I'd choose vaginal delivery. That was the same at my work only I had to go back at 6 weeks and if I'd had a c-section it would have been 8. But if I'd already had a c-section, like your friend, I'd do another RCS.

[goldenbird]

For an extra 8 weeks paid leave, I'd take the CS.

[holls2011]

I was back at work after only 6 weeks. I think I would have loved an extra two weeks, or more, anyway I could have had it.

[harvestmoon]

Any maternity leave I take is FMLA protected but not paid beyond me exhausting any sick leave and vacation time I have saved up. So, this is like a choice between lucky and luckier. And still, yes, completely sucky compared to so many other countries.

[rayray007]

Jan 22, 2015 17:38:35 GMT -5 HelloSweetie said:

I don't think I'd choose a CS just based on that if I'd never had one. But if I was looking at a RCS vs vbac it would probably come into consideration.

This.

[overture]

Oh. I answered before I read the OP. RCS changes the answer unless VBAC was really important to me.

[redhorizon343]

At my place of employment this difference is 6 or 8 weeks, not exactly deal-breaking. But having the experience of a total vagina blow-out, I'd do C-Section

[overture]

It would also heavily depend on whether the leave the was paid or whether the employer was just offering additional weeks of unpaid leave. 8 weeks vs 16 weeks unpaid is a huge difference. It would be nice if you could do the RCS and take the 8 additional weeks as a play-it-by ear kind of thing.

[threetaboos]

Id do the RCS. No question at All. I had a c-section last time and it was great for me.

[brewcitygal]

C-section all the way. That would be awesome to have that much time off.

[zolten]

Repeat c section. I had emergency the first time after 42 hours of labor and that sucked. Im looking forward to a planned one next time. And for that much more time off, hell yeah!

I dont have any paid maternity leave (just accrued sick leave) so I could never do 16...but if it was available that would be an easy choice for me.

[Somers Isles]

I'm actually surprised at the number of csection choices! But my csection was emergency and I dealt with wound packing for 14 weeks.... So I'm paranoid. I guess a scheduled one would likely have less complications. I hated how immobile I was.

[BurritosAtEveryMeal]

RCS for sure! I had an E-CS and recovery was quick. Induction and fake labor sucked. RCS FTW!

[lazyreader]

Assuming it's unpaid. I'd go vbac. While being home longer would be phenomenal, I can't afford that much time off no matter how the baby gets out.
Paid? Ehh. I'd still lean vbac. Surgerys are not my thing. In a nice company I would negotiate with my boss for 50-75% time from weeks 12-16.

[annarose]

The only way I would choose a C is if I previously had one. Vag is better for baby and mom

[kirotea]

Jan 22, 2015 20:16:33 GMT -5 annarose said:

The only way I would choose a C is if I previously had one. Vag is better for baby and mom

I had a c section with my first. My OB says I'm a great candidate for a VBAC but I already know I want a RCS. Vag is not always better. Maybe in your la la land.

[ghostmonkey]

Jan 22, 2015 19:55:15 GMT -5 Somers Isles said:

I'm actually surprised at the number of csection choices! But my csection was emergency and I dealt with wound packing for 14 weeks.... So I'm paranoid. I guess a scheduled one would likely have less complications. I hated how immobile I was.

Eek. I can see why you would be hesitant. 

I labored for almost a day and had an unplanned c/s. I had no issues at all. I'd do it again.

[ghostmonkey]

Jan 22, 2015 20:16:33 GMT -5 annarose said:

The only way I would choose a C is if I previously had one. Vag is better for baby and mom

Fuck off.

[Deleted]

I'm guessing my kid getting stuck in my vag was really good for her. I'm guessing she prefers life, though, so the c/s was likely worth it.

[Somers Isles]

Jan 22, 2015 20:39:12 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jan 22, 2015 20:16:33 GMT -5 annarose said:

The only way I would choose a C is if I previously had one. Vag is better for baby and mom

Fuck off.

Ehem... and I quote, "Personal attack: Fuck off.
If you feel the need to speak to someone in this manner, that means it’s time to step away from the thread or contact a moderator or admin."

Oh wait....... we're not on TB!!  WHoo hoo! hahahaha 

[monster]

This thread makes me grateful to live in Canada. I admire you ladies who went back to work so soon after having your LO's- that's tough stuff!