This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently 7 months pregnant with my first baby and feeling overwhelmed about PFL planning. Reading everyone's detailed experiences with intermittent leave has completely changed my perspective - I had no idea this was even an option! The consistent advice about being ultra-specific with dates, keeping meticulous records, and proactively communicating with EDD is so valuable. I'm already planning to implement @Talia Klein's spreadsheet tracking system and @Jace Caspullo's screenshot strategy from day one. One thing I'm wondering about - for first-time parents who've done intermittent PFL, did you find it helpful to discuss your plans with your pediatrician as well? I'm thinking they might have insights about infant development and bonding that could help optimize the schedule timing. Also curious if anyone has tips for managing childcare logistics when you're working some days but not others - that seems like it could get complicated! @Cole Roush and @Luca Esposito - really hoping you both update us on how your certification processes go! As someone still in the planning phase, your real-world experiences will be incredibly helpful. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing such honest and detailed advice! 🤱💙

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm currently 5 months pregnant and was feeling pretty anxious about how to structure my PFL to best balance work responsibilities with bonding time. Everyone's detailed experiences with intermittent leave have opened up possibilities I didn't even know existed! What really stands out to me from all these stories is how critical the documentation and communication aspects are. The advice about getting specific notes in your EDD file, taking screenshots of balances, and being ultra-precise with certification dates seems like it could make or break the whole process. I'm definitely going to start a tracking spreadsheet now, even though I'm still months away from actually using PFL. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone tried discussing their intermittent PFL plans during their initial claim filing, or is it better to wait until you're ready to return to work part-time? I'm wondering if mentioning this upfront might help avoid some of the system confusion issues that @Sayid Hassan experienced. Also really hoping @Cole Roush, @Luca Esposito, and others who are currently testing out these strategies keep updating us! As someone still in planning mode, hearing about real certification experiences will be incredibly valuable. This community is such an amazing resource - thank you all for being so generous with sharing your knowledge! 🙏💙

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and found this thread super helpful! I tried the mobile app approach that StarSailor mentioned and it actually worked - I was able to reset my password through the app when the website kept failing. For anyone else struggling with this, I'd definitely recommend trying multiple approaches: the mobile app first, then the technical support line at 1-866-333-4606 that Noah shared (those menu options are a lifesaver!), and if those don't work, the browser clearing method Jamal described. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops, but at least there are several different ways to tackle this problem. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is amazing! 🙏

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through the exact same issue right now - got locked out trying to access my family leave claim and the password reset isn't working. Reading through everyone's solutions gives me so much hope. I'm going to try the mobile app first since that seems to have worked for a few people, then move on to that technical support line at 1-866-333-4606 if needed. It's wild that EDD's system is this broken, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these frustrating situations. Will report back on what ends up working for me in case it helps others! 🤞

I'm a new mom with a 4-week-old and this entire discussion has been such a lifeline for me! Reading everyone's experiences and creative solutions is helping me feel so much more prepared and less alone in this struggle. One additional resource I wanted to share - if your company has a diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) committee or women's employee resource group, they sometimes have advocacy programs or can help you navigate family-friendly policy discussions with leadership. At my company, the women's ERG actually successfully lobbied for enhanced parental leave benefits that weren't originally in place. Also, don't underestimate the power of documenting everything throughout this process. Keep records of all your conversations with HR, your supervisor, and your doctor. This paper trail can be incredibly valuable if you need to escalate or reference previous discussions. @Katherine, your journey through this process is inspiring so many of us who are facing the same deadline! The fact that you've gotten your supervisor on board with vacation time and part-time arrangements shows what's possible when you advocate thoughtfully and persistently. This thread has become such an incredible resource - thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences so openly. It's proof that when new parents support each other with practical advice and emotional encouragement, we can navigate even the most challenging transitions together! 💕

I'm a new mom with a 6-week-old and this entire thread has been such an incredible resource! Reading through everyone's experiences and suggestions is both heartbreaking and empowering - heartbreaking because so many of us are facing this impossible 8-week deadline, but empowering because of all the creative solutions and advocacy strategies you've all shared. One thing I wanted to add that might help - if your company offers tuition reimbursement or professional development benefits, sometimes these programs have clauses about extended leave for "life transitions" or "family planning." It's a long shot, but I've heard of people successfully arguing that bonding time with a new baby is professional development in work-life balance and family management skills. Also, some credit unions and employee financial wellness programs offer short-term emergency loans specifically for family transitions that could help bridge the gap if you take unpaid leave. The interest rates are usually much better than credit cards or personal loans. @Katherine, I'm so inspired by how you've turned this panic into such productive action! The combination of medical documentation, vacation time, flexible scheduling, and part-time arrangements you're putting together is brilliant. You're not just advocating for yourself - you're potentially paving the way for other new parents at your company to have better options in the future. This community has shown me that we don't have to accept inadequate policies quietly. When we share our experiences and support each other's advocacy efforts, we can find solutions that seemed impossible at first. Thank you all for being so generous with your advice and encouragement! 💕

Hi Ava! I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. I was on SDI for hyperemesis gravidarum and my little one decided to arrive 4 weeks early! Here's what I learned: the moment you give birth, your SDI claim automatically needs to shift from "pregnancy complications" to "postpartum recovery." You can't stay on the pregnancy portion after delivery - that would technically be incorrect since you're no longer pregnant with complications. I called EDD from my hospital room about 18 hours after delivery (once I was feeling more alert). The representative was super helpful and explained that they see this situation constantly. She updated my claim immediately over the phone and told me what to expect next. My recovery period was 6 weeks for vaginal delivery, then I seamlessly transitioned to PFL bonding. The weekly benefit amount stayed exactly the same throughout - no changes there! One thing that really helped: I had my partner write down all our important info (my SSN, claim number, baby's birth details) on a note card that we kept with our hospital bag. When it came time to make the call, everything was right there and easy to reference. Your doctor's office will handle the paperwork side - they're used to this process. Mine had the updated forms submitted to EDD within 2 days of delivery without me even having to ask. You're going to do great! The fact that you're thinking about this ahead of time shows you're well prepared. The transition is much smoother than it seems when you're pregnant and worried about everything! 💕

Hi Ava! I'm a new mom who went through this exact transition just 4 months ago, and I wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease your worries! I was on SDI for severe pregnancy complications and my baby arrived 2.5 weeks before my claim was set to end. Like you, I was terrified of messing up my benefits, but it turned out to be much smoother than expected. Here's what happened: I called EDD within 12 hours of giving birth (my husband made the call while I was recovering). The representative immediately converted my claim from pregnancy disability to postpartum recovery - no paperwork needed from my end! My doctor's office automatically sent the updated DE2501 form with my delivery date within 24 hours. The key things that worked for me: • Called EDD ASAP after delivery (don't wait!) • Had all my claim info written down and ready • Let my doctor's office know I'd need the updated forms submitted quickly • Got 6 weeks of recovery at the same benefit rate • Received my PFL application notice automatically about a week before recovery ended The transition was completely seamless - no gaps in payments at all. Your weekly benefit amount will stay the same throughout SDI recovery and PFL bonding. You're being so smart by planning ahead! Having all your EDD info organized and ready will make everything go smoothly when baby arrives. Don't stress too much - this is a very common situation and EDD handles it routinely. You've got this mama! 💙

Congratulations on your baby boy! 🎉 I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me. Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize I need to be way more proactive about the SDI to PFL transition than I originally thought. It sounds like the consensus is clear: apply for PFL baby bonding around week 4 postpartum through the DE2508 form, and definitely don't wait for the 6-week checkup despite what doctors might suggest. The fact that so many people have experienced payment gaps because they assumed the transition would be automatic is honestly terrifying when you're already dealing with all the expenses of a new baby. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and setting phone reminders for myself. It's amazing how much more useful these real-world experiences are compared to trying to navigate the confusing EDD website or getting incomplete advice from healthcare providers. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - you're literally saving future parents from financial stress during an already overwhelming time! 💕

Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! 🎉 I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant with my first and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - I've been so anxious about navigating the EDD system postpartum and you've all given me such a clear roadmap! The consistent advice about applying for PFL baby bonding around week 4 postpartum (instead of waiting for the 6-week checkup) is going to save me so much stress and potentially avoid those scary payment gaps everyone mentioned. I'm shocked that healthcare providers keep giving advice that leads to benefit interruptions - it really shows how disconnected the medical system is from the actual administrative realities new parents face. I'm definitely setting multiple phone reminders right now: - Week 3 postpartum: Start gathering documents - Week 4: File DE2508 form through SDI Online - Select "immediately after current SDI ends" option Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences, especially the timing mistakes and lessons learned. This community support is exactly what overwhelmed new parents need! I'm bookmarking this thread as my go-to reference guide. Wishing you the smoothest transition possible with your benefits and lots of sweet moments with your little one! 💕