How long can EDD SDI maternity leave be extended beyond normal pregnancy disability?

Yes, you can definitely get SDI extended beyond the standard pregnancy timeframes if medically necessary. The standard is typically 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type), but your doctor can certify you for additional time based on your specific condition. There's no set maximum - it's based on your doctor's medical certification of how long you're unable to work due to your disability. If you're having severe pelvic pain, your doctor can certify you for SDI earlier than the standard 4 weeks before delivery. The key is that your doctor needs to complete the medical certification form (DE 2501) indicating exactly why you can't perform your regular work and how long they expect this condition to last. For documentation, you'll need: 1. Your doctor needs to clearly document the medical complication (in your case, the pelvic pain) 2. They need to specify how it prevents you from performing your normal work duties 3. They need to indicate a specific timeframe for the disability I was able to get 8 weeks before my due date because of severe sciatica during my pregnancy. Just make sure your doctor is specific about your limitations!

my friend got like 5 months for her pregnancy cuz she had really bad morning sickness and then blood pressure issues after. its totally depends on ur doctor and what they say u need. edd doesnt really argue with wat docs put on the forms

I work for an OB/GYN office, and I can tell you that we regularly certify patients for extended pregnancy disability beyond the standard timeframes when medically necessary. Your HR is correct - the 17 weeks they mentioned is likely referring to what's covered under FMLA/CFRA protection (which is different from SDI, but runs concurrently). For SDI specifically, there's no predetermined maximum for pregnancy complications. It's based entirely on your doctor's medical assessment. We've had patients receive anywhere from a few extra weeks to several months depending on their condition. Keep in mind that after your pregnancy disability period ends, you can transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding time with your baby (up to 8 weeks). These are separate benefits, so maximizing your SDI time when medically necessary doesn't reduce your bonding time. Make sure your doctor specifically documents: - Diagnosis code for your pelvic pain/condition - Functional limitations that prevent you from working - Expected duration of disability They may need to submit updated certifications if your condition changes or continues beyond their initial estimate.

The EDD SDI system is SO frustrating when it comes to pregnancy extensions!!! I had hyperemesis gravidarum (extreme morning sickness) and needed to start my disability at 18 weeks. My doctor submitted all the paperwork correctly but EDD kept sending letters saying they needed more information. I would call the number DOZENS of times a day and never get through!!! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual EDD representative. They have this service where they connect you directly to an EDD agent instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once I actually talked to a real person, they explained exactly what additional documentation was needed and processed my extension. But seriously, I would have lost my mind without being able to get through to someone. The agent told me they're especially careful with pregnancy extensions beyond the standard timeframes.

i think everyone here is missing something important - there's a HUGE difference between what ur doctor can certify and what EDD will actually approve!!! my dr certified me for 12 weeks before delivery due to complications but EDD only approved 6 weeks before delivery and I had to APPEAL to get the rest. they have medical reviewers who look at cases over a certain length. just because your dr certifies you for extended time doesn't mean EDD automatically pays it. be prepared for possible denials and appeals, especially if asking for a lot more than the standard pregnancy timeframes. keep ALL your medical documentation!

Has anyone successfully gotten extended SDI for pelvic pain specifically? I have SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) and it was EXCRUCIATING. Could barely walk by 30 weeks but didn't know I could get disability earlier than the standard 36 weeks. Now pregnant with #2 and already feeling the pain start at 25 weeks. Wondering what specific diagnosis codes or documentation worked for others with similar issues?

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I had my appointment today and discussed this with my doctor. She said she's happy to certify me starting at 36 weeks instead of 38 (so 2 weeks earlier than standard) based on my pelvic pain, and then we'll reassess weekly. She said she'll document everything thoroughly and use the specific diagnosis codes mentioned here. I'll make sure to keep copies of all documentation in case there are any issues with approval. And I've bookmarked that Claimyr service in case I have trouble reaching EDD when I submit my claim. Feeling much more prepared now!

That's great that your doctor is willing to work with you on this! Just wanted to add a few tips from my experience with SDI pregnancy extensions: 1. Ask your doctor to be as specific as possible about your work limitations on the DE 2501 form - don't just say "unable to work" but list exactly what you can't do (lifting, standing, walking distances, etc.) 2. Keep a pain diary or symptom log leading up to when you plan to start your claim. This can be helpful supporting documentation if EDD requests more info. 3. Submit your claim as soon as your doctor certifies you - don't wait! The sooner you get it in the system, the sooner you'll start receiving benefits. 4. If your pain gets worse and you need to start earlier than 36 weeks, don't hesitate to go back to your doctor. They can always submit an earlier start date if your condition deteriorates. Good luck with everything! SPD/pelvic pain is no joke during pregnancy and you deserve to have the time you need to rest and recover. ❤️

I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - 32 weeks pregnant with severe pelvic girdle pain that's making it impossible to do my job (I'm a nurse and can't be on my feet for 12-hour shifts anymore). My OB is supportive of starting SDI earlier than the standard timeframe. One thing I learned from my benefits coordinator is that you can also potentially use your accrued sick time or vacation time to bridge any gaps while your SDI claim is being processed. Some employers will let you use paid leave first and then switch to SDI once it's approved, which can help ensure you don't have any unpaid time. Also, if you're planning to take the full FMLA/CFRA leave (up to 12 weeks), make sure you coordinate with your HR department about how your SDI time counts toward that total. In my case, HR explained that my pregnancy disability time runs concurrently with FMLA, and then I can use PFL for bonding time after I'm medically cleared to return to work. Has your doctor mentioned anything about physical therapy or other treatments that might help with the pelvic pain? Sometimes having those documented treatment attempts can strengthen your disability claim too.

Just wanted to share my recent experience as another data point! I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my second and started having severe pelvic pain around 26 weeks that was making it impossible to do my desk job (couldn't sit for more than 30 minutes at a time). My OB was amazing and certified me for SDI starting at 30 weeks using diagnosis codes for pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction. She was very detailed on the DE 2501 about my specific limitations - can't sit for extended periods, frequent position changes needed, difficulty with stairs, etc. I submitted my claim online and it was approved within about 10 days with no additional requests for documentation. I think the key was that my doctor was really thorough and specific about how my condition prevented me from doing my normal work duties. For anyone going through this - don't feel guilty about needing the time! Pelvic pain during pregnancy is a legitimate medical condition and if your doctor says you need to stop working, trust their judgment. The whole point of SDI is to support people when they're unable to work due to medical conditions, and pregnancy complications absolutely qualify. Wishing you all smooth claims processes and relief from the pain! 💕

I'm also dealing with pelvic pain during pregnancy (currently 28 weeks) and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that SDI could be extended beyond the standard pregnancy timeframes for medical complications. One question I have - for those who got approved for extended SDI due to pelvic pain, did your doctors require any specific tests or imaging before they would certify you? My OB has been somewhat hesitant to put me on disability even though I'm having trouble walking and sitting at my desk job. She keeps saying "it's just normal pregnancy discomfort" but this feels way beyond normal to me. Should I be asking for a referral to a specialist or seeking a second opinion? I'm worried that if my current doctor isn't taking my pain seriously, she won't provide the detailed documentation that seems necessary for approval. Any advice on advocating for yourself when your doctor minimizes pregnancy-related pain would be really appreciated!

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their experiences with SDI extensions for pregnancy complications! This thread has been so informative and reassuring. I've been dealing with severe round ligament pain and some pelvic instability that's making it really difficult to do my job (I work in retail and am on my feet most of the day). After reading through all these responses, I feel much more confident about discussing an earlier start date for my SDI with my doctor at my next appointment. The advice about being specific with functional limitations and keeping documentation is so helpful. I'm going to start tracking my daily pain levels and how they're affecting my ability to work, so I have concrete examples to share with my OB. It's also really encouraging to see that most people who had proper documentation got their extensions approved without major issues. The key seems to be having a supportive doctor who's willing to thoroughly document the medical necessity. For anyone else in a similar situation - don't feel like you have to suffer through severe pain just because it's pregnancy-related. If it's affecting your ability to work safely, that's exactly what disability benefits are designed to help with!

As someone who went through a similar situation with pelvic pain during pregnancy, I want to add that it's also worth asking your doctor about getting a referral to a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist if your pain is severe. While most OBs can handle standard pregnancy disability certifications, MFM specialists often have more experience with complex pregnancy complications and may be better equipped to document severe cases. I had SPD starting around 32 weeks and my regular OB was hesitant to certify me for early leave. The MFM specialist I was referred to immediately understood the severity of my condition and provided much more detailed documentation for my SDI claim. They also coordinated with a pelvic floor physical therapist who provided additional functional assessments. Another tip - if you're having trouble getting through to EDD by phone (which seems to be a common issue based on the comments here), you can also check your claim status and upload additional documents through the EDD online portal. Sometimes it's faster than trying to reach someone by phone, especially for routine updates or document submissions. The most important thing is to be your own advocate. Pregnancy-related pain that prevents you from working is absolutely a legitimate reason for disability benefits, regardless of what anyone tells you about it being "normal." Trust your body and don't hesitate to seek additional medical opinions if needed!

Hi, I had a quick question! I am currently 30 going on 31 weeks in a couple of days and my lower back pain is now unbearable. I work 12 hour night shifts with constant standing, bending, and sitting. So if I'm following correctly, if my OB/midwife is able to certify me for maternity leave at 32 weeks, I would just gather all the documentation and submit it the day I turn 32 weeks? And just contact my HR for my leave of absence and if I was to supplement with my sick leave/PTO. They referred me to a chiropractor and he even says that I should be out of work earlier than 36 weeks and will provide documentation when necessary. I can't lay down, sit down, stand up for more than 15 minutes, walk for more than 5-10 minute increments at the time without my lower back, hips, and legs acting up. Would me starting at 32 or 34 weeks eat up from the up to 17 weeks that is available with SDI? Thank you!

I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant and dealing with severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands that's gotten much worse during pregnancy. The numbness and pain are so bad that I can barely type or use my hands for more than a few minutes at a time, which is making my office job nearly impossible. Has anyone successfully gotten SDI for carpal tunnel during pregnancy? My doctor says it's pregnancy-related and should improve after delivery, but I'm not sure if EDD would approve an extension for this type of condition or if they only approve the more "typical" pregnancy complications like pelvic pain or severe morning sickness. I'm worried about waiting until 36 weeks to start my leave when I can barely function at work now. Any experiences with non-traditional pregnancy complications and SDI would be super helpful!

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and just discovered this community - what a relief to find so many people sharing similar experiences! I've been dealing with severe sciatica that's radiating down both legs and making it extremely difficult to sit at my desk job for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so validating. My doctor mentioned that I might need to start leave earlier than the standard 36 weeks, but I wasn't sure if SDI would cover sciatica or if it was considered a "legitimate enough" pregnancy complication. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the key is having my doctor be very specific about my functional limitations on the DE 2501 form. I'm definitely going to ask her to document exactly how the sciatica prevents me from performing my normal work duties (prolonged sitting, difficulty with stairs, trouble concentrating due to pain, etc.). Thank you all for sharing your stories and advice - it's giving me the confidence to advocate for myself and not feel guilty about potentially needing time off earlier than expected. Pregnancy complications are real and deserve proper accommodation!

I'm 31 weeks pregnant and just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally decided to create an account because I'm dealing with a combination of issues - severe heartburn/acid reflux that's making it impossible to sleep or concentrate at work, plus increasing back pain from my desk job. Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence to talk to my doctor about starting SDI earlier than the standard timeframe. I had no idea that pregnancy complications beyond the "typical" pelvic pain or morning sickness could qualify for extended disability benefits. My biggest takeaway from all your stories is the importance of being specific about functional limitations and having a supportive healthcare provider who will thoroughly document everything. I'm going to start keeping a detailed log of my symptoms and how they're affecting my work performance before my next appointment. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences - it's made me realize I don't have to suffer through the next 5+ weeks if my doctor agrees that my conditions are preventing me from working effectively. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex situations! 💕

I'm 28 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing severe symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) that's making it nearly impossible to walk, stand, or even roll over in bed. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I feel much more informed about potentially starting SDI earlier than the standard 36 weeks. My question is about the timing of submitting the claim - should I wait until I'm actually ready to stop working to submit the DE 2501, or can I submit it in advance once my doctor certifies the start date? I'm worried about any gaps in pay while the claim processes, especially since I've seen some people mention it can take 1-2 weeks for approval. Also, has anyone had experience with SDI covering time for bed rest? My doctor mentioned that might be necessary if the SPD gets worse, and I want to make sure I understand what documentation would be needed for that level of restriction. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it's been so validating to see that pregnancy complications like this are taken seriously by both doctors and EDD when properly documented!