As the title states, I'm in Missouri and I'm 5 months pregnant. I'm also in the process of being tested for Lupus. In the 5 months that I've been pregnant, my conditions have worsened to the point that I don't feel I can work, but I don't want to lose my position at the company I work for. I've informed the company about this and they are willing to help me with whatever I need, but I have some questions.

1. If I use my FML/short-term disability now, is there any way to extend the length of time I need off so that I can use it for when I'm near labor and after labor?

2. If I decide to use my FML/STD while in the process of applying for LTD I'm afraid that if I'm denied LTD my STD will be used up and I won't be able to use any time off for the end of the pregnancy. Are there any other options I should consider?

Thank you for your time.

You are entitled to a total of 12 weeks' leave under FMLA in a year for either a serious medical condition or the birth of a child. That's 12 weeks total.

STD is simply income replacement for the time you are on FMLA leave, which is unpaid leave. STD does not extend the time that you have available to you under FMLA.

At this point, you and your doctors probably need to figure out how to best use the 12 weeks you have available to you. Perhaps being able to take intermittent FMLA leave when you need right now for the lupus symptoms and treatment would preserve time for you to have available after the baby is here.

Good luck!