I live in California and work for a company of over 50 employees. Our employee services unit is in St. Paul Minnesota and everytime I try to assertain what time I can take for maternity leave I am given conflicting answers. I just don't think they know the differences in California. I have worked for this company for several years and I think if I am not mistaken the following should be true.

I am due in a few weeks and I believe my doctor will most likely put me out on short term disability next week. After the birth I will be paid by my company 6-8 weeks depending on the type of birth, natural or c-section. After my 6-8 weeks I can use any vacation time I have accumulated and then I am entitle to an additional 6 weeks of California Paid Leave at 55% of my pay? Is this correct?

Does the short term disability time off prior to the birth give me less time off after the birth?
If I deliver later than my expected due date will this shorten my time later after the birth to stay home with the baby?
Is my employment protected throughout this entire time?

Any help would be appreciated as I need to be clear of what I am entitled to before making my leave on maternity. Thanks.

Your company's policy is likely for only the timeframe specified. You would have to ask your employers HR department to interpret the policy for you.

In California, you are permitted to be out of work for up to four months on pregnancy leave. However, this is a maximum and is good only for the time that you are actually disabled. Your job is protected during this time.

If you take Paid Family Leave, your job is not protected. You are correct that it is good for up to 6 weeks.

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After my 6-8 weeks I can use any vacation time I have accumulated and then I am entitle to an additional 6 weeks of California Paid Leave at 55% of my pay? Is this correct?
You would use you vacation at the end so that you don't have to go through another one week waiting period, but otherwise correct.

Does the short term disability time off prior to the birth give me less time off after the birth?
No, not unless you are out for more than 4 months total.
If I deliver later than my expected due date will this shorten my time later after the birth to stay home with the baby?
No, not unless you are out for more than 4 months total.
Is my employment protected throughout this entire time?
Your employment is protected for up to 4 months while you are disabled by pregnancy, and if your company has more than 50 employees within 75 miles, and you have worked more than 1250 hours in the last year, you are also entitled to an additional 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the CFRA. In that case, as long as you don't have more than 6 weeks vacation accrued, you are protected the entire time.