6 maternity leave myths people NEED to stop spreading

6 maternity leave myths people NEED to stop spreading6 maternity leave myths people NEED to stop spreadingAs an expecting mom, you have many things to consider, and a lot of advice thrown your way. Some of that advice may include what to expect during yourmaternityleave, and how to plan for it best. But as we all know, not all advice is created equal.Lets take a look at 6 of the most common maternity leave myths and get to the truth of what every mom needs to know.1. Myth My maternity leave can berejected.Many working moms can feel a bitnervouswhen approaching their supervisor or HR specialist about maternity leave. But dontworry, its your right to take a maternity leave, and you have legal protections.Under the FamilyMedical LeaveAct (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave. However, some of this will most likely be unpaid leave (make sure you know your companys paid maternity leave policy), so unfortunately, many working moms simply cant afford to t ake all 12 weeks. However, you can ask your employer if they would be open to shared parental leave that allows you to work from home.2. Myth My employer already has a plan.While the number of employers providing maternity leaves increased from 1 in 6 to1 in 3in 2018, your employer might not have a written policy. Sometimes, businesses dont even develop maternity leave or breastfeeding policies until they have their first expecting mother on the team. Plus, it takes time to develop and prepare these policies. Be sure to speak with your supervisor about your desire to take a maternity leave andbreast pumpat work a few months ahead of time to allow them to prepare.3. Myth Ill have to work during my maternity leave.This myth is completely false. Under theFMLA, you are not required to work during your maternity leave to allow for time to bond with your baby and physically recover from giving birth.However,Unpaid or short maternity leavesput working moms in an unfair position, forcing th em to return to work before theyre physically and emotionally ready. It takes, on average, about six weeks to physically recover from giving birth. If youre faced with an unpaid maternity leave, plan ahead by accumulatingpaid time offand saving money to cover that additional time.4. Myth I wont want to return to work.Every mother is different, and whether you stay home or go back to work is a personal decision. If you are a mom who looks forward to returning to her career, do not feel guilty or compare yourself to other moms.5. Myth Ill be less productive when I return to work.Its perfectly prototyp to be nervous aboutreturning to workafter your baby has completely changed your life. You may feel some pressure to prove yourself, but you may also surprise yourself with newly discovered mom talents.Even though you may be sleep deprived and slightly emotional, as you adjust to work life, youll find that you have new timemanagement skills,productivity, focus, and more to effectively mee t deadlines and take your career to the next level. Just dont overdo it, and take your time to avoid any extra stress in the beginning.6. Myth Talking to my employer about breastfeeding can wait.Its your right to breastfeed when you return to work, and you are covered under theFair Labor Standards Act(FLSA). The act states that employers must provide reasonable break time for mothers to express milk for their child up to one year after their birth, as well as provide a space, separate from a bathroom thats free from the intrusion of coworkers and the public for to purpose of expressing breastmilk. All employers are subject to the FLSA unless those with 50 or fewer employees can prove that adhering to these provisions would deutsche post ag undue hardship.Make sure to have the conversation about breastfeeding BEFORE you go on maternity leave. Waiting until you are back is too late. Do they have a plan for you to take breaks to breast pump? Is there a lactation room on site? Have you been transparent about your needs? Some employers will proactively have this conversation. But if not, talk to your employer before you are out so there are no surprises when you get back.- Jennifer Jordan is the Director of Mom Baby atAeroflow Healthcare, a durable medical equipment provider that has provided breast pumps through insurance to hundreds of thousands of women. A working and once-breastfeeding mom,Jennifer along with her team is committed to supporting all moms on their breastfeeding journey through support, education, and exceptional customer service.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.