You may be wondering: How do I actually take maternity leave without losing pay, or worse, making critical mistakes that could cost me precious time off with my baby, I will never get back?

As someone who’s guided over 3,000 women navigate maternity leave in California, I can tell you this: You are not alone if you feel confused, stressed, or like you’re already falling behind before your leave even starts.

We hear this all the time—especially from women who assumed HR would handle everything, or figured the process would be straightforward once they became pregnant.

But in reality? California’s leave system is a complex network of acronyms—PFL, SDI, CFRA, FMLA, ADA, STD, PDL —plus employer policies that may or may not align with state law. At the center of it all is something called PFL California, or Paid Family Leave—one piece of a much bigger puzzle of laws that include PDL, FMLA, and CFRA (see this comparison chart).

Let’s talk about why this program is so often misunderstood—and why that confusion could cost you thousands of dollars..

What is PFL California (and Why Is It So Confusing)?

California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program provides up to 8 weeks of partial wage replacement so you can bond with your baby after birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Except, here is where it gets complicated... PFL doesn’t cover your entire time off. It also doesn’t provide job protection. And it doesn’t always start when your baby is born—it typically starts after State Disability Insurance (SDI) ends, which only covers your medical recovery period. We have also helped some women file for PFL before SDI, too. There are almost an infinite number of ways all these programs can “play” together, so you need to know what works best for you and your family.

Let that sink in: If you’re not managing your leave timeline closely, you could miss weeks of benefits you’re entitled to receive.

It’s no wonder so many women are uncertain if they’re even eligible, or assume PFL represents their entire maternity leave package.

“I Just Trusted HR to Guide Me…” (Why That’s Problematic)

Here’s the hard truth: HR isn’t required to explain how to maximize your leave benefits.

Every week, I speak with women who followed HR’s guidance only to learn later they missed out on significant pay or took less time than they were entitled to receive.

Some were told PFL was their only option. Others were never informed about how to apply for SDI. And almost no one gets a clear explanation of how PFL works with FMLA, CFRA, PDL, or their company’s specific policies. We also see women whose employers misadvise them on how the programs work, even with the best intentions, just because they don’t have women going out on maternity leave all the time, and the legislation/benefits are always changing. 

And when you’re caring for a newborn, recovering physically, and trying to mentally prepare to return to work, the last thing you need is regret about missed opportunities.

What Happens When You Miss the Fine Print?

When the timeline is incorrect, or the paperwork isn’t filed properly, or you don’t know the right questions to ask your OB provider for… the consequences extend beyond just stress.

It costs you time.
It costs you money.
And most importantly, it costs precious moments you can’t get back.

We've seen women lose thousands of dollars or return to work weeks too soon because no one told them how to layer their leave properly, or that PFL California only covers one piece of the puzzle.

Real Talk: It Shouldn’t Be This Hard

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I’ll just Google it when the time comes.”
• “My HR department will handle everything.”
• “I’m too overwhelmed—I’ll figure it out later…”
  
  

You are exactly who I wrote this for.

Because we’ve seen firsthand what happens when you wait too long, guess your way through the process, or assume you don’t qualify for additional benefits.

And we do not want that experience for you.

Ready to Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes Women Make on Maternity Leave?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by terms like PFL California, SDI, FMLA, and CFRA, don’t worry. You don’t need to memorize every acronym to secure the leave you deserve.

But you do need to understand what mistakes to avoid.

That’s exactly why we created a free training:
“5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Going On Maternity Leave”

This no-cost workshop demonstrates how to avoid the most common (and costly) leave mistakes—so you don’t miss out on pay, time off, or job protection you’ve earned.

You don’t have to navigate this process alone, and you definitely don’t have to settle for less.

Let me leave you with this important message:
You deserve to be fully informed—and fully paid—for every single week of bonding time you’re entitled to take.

Let’s make sure you get exactly that.