How to plan your maternity leave

Maternity leave planning is one of the most consequential logistics tasks of pregnancy and ideally starts in the second trimester. First, understand what you're entitled to: in the US, FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave if you work for a qualifying employer — but paid leave varies widely by state and employer. Review your employee handbook and speak with HR confidentially early on.

Think through your transition plan: who covers your responsibilities, what documentation needs to be created, and at what point you want to formally notify your employer. Financially, map out your income during leave and adjust your budget accordingly. It's also worth thinking about your return-to-work plan, childcare needs, and what flexibility (remote work, reduced hours) might be possible.