One of the most distressing parts of new motherhood can be feeling forced to go back to work before you're ready.  Figuring out who is going to care for your newborn baby, how and where to pump at work, trying to function while in the throes of sleep deprivation and a rattling identity shift, and managing your own postpartum physical and mental health are all extremely overwhelming, and quite frankly, unrealistic. That's why we wanted to talk to Akiko Thayer, a Parental Leave Expert and Certified Leave Management Specialist. Akiko is going to help you demystify your disability and parental leave rights, so you don't have to guess, shortchange yourself on your bonding and recovery time, or spend hours doing the research and jumping through hoops alone.  In this episode you'll learn:  * That you have more rights and options for parental leave (paid and unpaid) than you may think * How to navigate parental and disability leave * How to advocate for yourself to your employer or medical provider Helpful Resources Mentioned in the Episode:  Legal Aid Society [https://www.lassd.org/] (search for a chapter in your local county) CA Gov Paid Family Leave Info  [https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/paid-family-leave/] Perinatal Specialized Providers  [https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/] Akiko is based in Newport Beach, California, and helps new parents as well as employers across the US, to navigate these tricky waters and get the most of the benefits we are entitled to.  You can connect or work with Akiko through her website www.maternityleave411.com [https://www.maternityleave411.com/] or her instagram @maternityleave411 [https://www.instagram.com/maternityleave411/?hl=en] You can learn more about Rachel's California-based group therapy practice and how you can work with her at www.racheldaggettlmft.com [https://racheldaggettlmft.com/]or on instagram @rachelscouch  [https://www.instagram.com/rachelscouch/] Follow along with Bloom After Baby for all things maternal mental health: Instagram  @bloomafterbaby [https://www.instagram.com/bloomafterbaby/?hl=en]   and website bloomafterbaby.com [https://www.bloomafterbaby.com/] ** Don't forget to leave a rating and review if you enjoy this Podcast! Thank you so much! 🥰 ** *Please note that this podcast is intended for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for seeking individualized care from a mental health or medical professional. New Mom Motherhood California Law Maternal Mental Health Postpartum Mental Health Pregnancy Pregnant