What is the postnatal period?

The postnatal period is the first six weeks after a Paid Leave customer gives birth to a child.
• Any leave taken by the birthing parent in the “postnatal period” will be designated as medical leave unless they specify otherwise.
• Leave taken in the postnatal period does not have a waiting week. Leave taken before the birth of a child does have a waiting week.
• You will need to submit proof of birth documentation with your application. This could be our medical certification or other paperwork that shows the child’s date of birth.

We cannot approve leave for the postnatal period before the birth of a child. If you need to start leave before you give birth, such as for incapacity related to pregnancy, you will need to submit an application for medical leave along with a medical certification, and you will have a waiting week.