Maternity leave

At a check-up with the ob-gyn last week, she declared that the fetus has already dropped down to my pelvis in preparation for birth, and that my cervix has shortened. Therefore, until my fetus reaches full term (i.e., 37 weeks, approximately in two weeks), I am to take medication to prevent contractions. She also told me that I should stop working.

This was not at all what I expected--in fact, I had been considering asking her to write a medical certificate, which would enable me to work until 2 weeks before the expected due date (the French due date is 41 weeks). Without the certificate, I can only work up till 3 weeks before the due date. The organization where I work allows 16 weeks of maternity leave, which can be taken from 3 - 6 weeks before the expected due date (and can be taken until 10 - 13 weeks after birth). Even though I tire more easily, since I am doing OK, I figured that it would be better to have more time BEFORE than AFTER the birth.

But of course, my doctor would not write such a certificate; she insisted that I must rest, since it is my right to take 6 weeks of maternity leave before the expected due date. In fact, it is a pity that it is too late for her to give me a certificate for sick leave, as I certainly qualified for one. A conversation I had with my organization's welfare/social assistant confirmed this--there are some doctors that agree to write such a certifiate, but this is rare, since it is not in the French mentality to continue to work when you no longer have to.

When I lamented this to a senior colleague, she gave me this piece of advice: "Do what the doctor says and enjoy this time because your life will never be the same! Take walks, go to the movies, read books plus all the practical stuff to be ready. And remember: no matter how much work you do there will be more there waiting. "

By French law, women are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave--six weeks before birth and ten weeks after birth. The social security system is, of course, the main reason why the fertility rate in France is so high (although I suggested another reason earlier). All the other women in my sophrologie/birth preparation classes have stopped working already, after having taken sick leave.

Of course my colleague is right. I should enjoy the time that I have. But am I being told to stop working because my body requires it, or because it is my right to take sick or maternity leave? I will never know.