FLMA leave during first trimester

[crazycatlady6]

Good Morning!

i was wondering if anyone has taken FLMA leave during the first trimester. What did it all entail? Did your boss give you a hard time or was there any awkwardness when you went back? How long did you take?

i am seriously considering it and plan on bringing it up with my RE on Friday since I need a letter from her anyways. M/s has hit really hard over the past 10 days and playing the game of trying not to puke when delivering meetings on a daily basis is already old. Add the fatigue and the shakiness from not holding much down in the way of food. 

The internal debate has been going strong with my body saying stop and my mind saying suck it up, buttercup.

UGH! 

P.S. I love being pregnant and feel blessed to be at this stage, but not loving this part so much.

[ginnyjones82]

I would get it. Once you are FMLA approved, you do not have to take the entire time off. Just give your boss the heads up that you may call in, or even take some half days. They can't argue because FMLA covers you. I'd feel better having the option.

[lolasky]

I'm still taking unisom (doxylamine) and B6. During the toughest part of MS, it took the edge off and helped me not to vomit, though I still felt pretty nauseated. Since around week 14-16, it's completely helped me (as in, I seem totally fine, but when I stop taking it for a day, I'm nauseated and vomit). I know it doesn't work for everyone, but maybe worth a try! It would be a shame to eat up your FMLA days--especially if you end up with nausea throughout the entire pregnancy (though it is somewhat uncommon).

[crazycatlady6]

Thanks for your feedback. I am going to move forward and at least get the paperwork set up in case I have to do it. I work part-time right now so I have no vacation, sick, or any paid time off. I e-mailed my doctor and she seconded what lolasky mentioned in the B6 and unisom along with lemon tea. In the meantime, I am going to cut my schedule back a bit so I am not working 10 hour days on Wednesday.

[lilyharper]

crazycatlady6, I only mention this because you said you're part time. Are you sure you qualify for fmla? You have to have worked a certain number of hours (I think 1000ish?) over the last year to qualify.

[crazycatlady6]

I've been on the cusp of full-time for at least 9 months, something to check out though. Thanks, lilyharper!

[mrswillie]

Are you taking anything for the morning sickness? I had an rx early on with DS1 and now with DS2. With DS1 I had zofran for most of the pregnancy. This time around I had Diclegis the whole time. It had to be increased around 16 weeks and it stayed there until the end.

For FMLA, you are covered if your employer has 50 or more employees, you've worked for them for 12 months and a minimum of 1250 hours in the last year. The 12 weeks per year is on a rolling basis, not calendar year. Whatever you use now will be deducted from the 12 weeks after birth. Also, you are usually required to use your saved time for the time you take off.