Whether it’s your first child or you’re adding another baby to your existing brood, getting ready to welcome a new baby to your family is an exciting experience. If you’re like many working moms-to-be, you may feel a bit confused or overwhelmed when it comes to planning your maternity leave. Should you tell your boss right away that you’re pregnant, or wait until you’ve developed more of a plan? What can you do to help things go smoothly in your absence? What about your health insurance? Let’s get some answers to a few of the top questions expectant moms have when it comes to maternity leave.
Do I need to approach my boss with a specific maternity leave plan?
Yes. Before you share the good news with your boss, determine how you want to approach your maternity leave and how you foresee things unfolding. Do you want to work right up until your due date, or will your pregnancy require you take it easy for the last month before giving birth? Would you like to offer to work from home part-time during your maternity leave, and if so during what hours will you plan to be available? Which of your colleagues should serve as the point person on projects in your absence? Approaching your employer with a solid maternity-leave plan will give you a good starting point for a productive discussion.
How can I set up my team for success?
Even if you’re going to be working from home during some of your maternity leave, it’s important that you leave your teammates prepared to handle tasks that may normally fall on your shoulders. Take the time to provide one-on-one instructions to any team members who may be asked to handle your responsibilities. Pinpoint where important files are kept, give advice on handling client quirks, and identify any available resources that can help your colleagues take care of business. The time you invest in training your team will pay off with a smoother transition when the baby arrives.
What if I’m confused about health insurance?
Everyone knows that kids are an expensive endeavor. Thankfully, health insurance can help shoulder some of the costs. Yet how do you know what’s covered in terms of prenatal care, as well as labor and delivery services? What do you need to do to ensure your little one is covered from birth?
If you don’t currently have health insurance in place, you don’t have to go without coverage for yourself or your baby. Thanks to the passing of the Affordable Care Act, pregnancy is no longer considered a pre-existing condition and insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because you are pregnant. Consider working with a dedicated agent to help you explore your options in the Marketplace and determine the plan that will be best for you and your child.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Planning your maternity leave in advance will help you, your family, and your work team sleep easier at night. Be certain to approach your boss with a specific maternity leave plan. Spend the time to ensure your team is well-trained, and get your health insurance ducks in a row. Follow these tips and you’ll be that much closer to being ready for your new arrival.
Author Bio:
Lauren Mandel is the Content Marketing Manager for GoHealth Insurance. GoHealth powers one of the nation’s leading private health insurance exchanges for individuals and families.
