12dpiui

I am so aggravated and I need to rant a bit.

But before I do - I'm still pregnant and so so so happy!

I need to vent so that I can return to reveling in the joy.

I have worked for my current employer for a little over 3 years.  In that time, I've watched many people go out on leave (maternity or medical) with full salary - they have to use some/all of their sick time, but they did not have a reduction in salary.  My current benefits package is part of the reason that I decided to stay while TTC - so that I could take advantage of the maternity leave that I've earned.  If I had relocated and started a new job this past summer, I would not qualify for maternity leave in May/June.

Anyway, it's Open Enrollment time for benefits.  As I was clicking through the online system, checking out how much I would need to contribute for health insurance and supplemental life insurance once Small One arrives, I noticed something new under short term disability.  So I talked to someone from HR and learned that as of 10/1/12 we no longer pay full salary for maternity leave.  We get 50% salary and we can contribute to get another 10% (which clearly I did).

I'm just so aggravated because I feel like I spent all this time and energy to make informed choices to make this pregnancy possible, and I made some sacrifices as well (i.e. choosing to stay here for another year).  And now I feel like I'm being shortchanged, and I would have been better off doing this a year ago, even though I felt like it would have been irresponsible to go on leave while in my former position.

So Boo.

I know that in the greater scheme of things, I am blessed to have my job, salary, and excellent benefits.  I know that many others have to take maternity leave entirely unpaid.  So I know that I am whining, and it's annoying.  I'm annoying myself.  It just seems so unfair.

Okay, rant over.

I'm pregnant.  On the first try.  It is amazing, I am so excited, and I am truly blessed.

I added some tickers to the page, based on an EDD "guesstimate".  Will update when I get an official EDD.  :)