Friend -

It’s official—I’m back at work this week, 12 weeks after welcoming my third little one into the world. You’d think after doing this a few times, I’d be an old pro, but let me tell you, this maternity leave was an eye-opener in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Here’s the thing: I planned ahead. I submitted my short-term disability insurance paperwork well before my scheduled cesarean because, you know, having a baby is enough stress without having to worry about whether or not you’ll get paid for the time you’re recovering. But apparently, planning ahead doesn’t mean much when you’re dealing with an insurance company whose business model seems to be, "How can we make this as difficult as possible?"

For over 11 weeks—yes, you read that right—I was caught in a maddening loop of back-and-forth with my short-term disability insurance provider. And let me just say, there is nothing short about short-term disability when you’re dealing with these folks. I pay my premiums every month, and yet when it came time for them to hold up their end of the bargain, it was like pulling teeth to get them to do so.

Every time I thought we were getting somewhere, they’d throw another hurdle in my way. Missing paperwork? Nope, I submitted it. Confusing policy language? Oh, I’ve read it front to back. Delays that stretched on endlessly? Absolutely, and I was left wondering why I was fighting so hard for something that should’ve been straightforward.

The irony of it all is that this was supposed to be a time of healing, bonding, and simply enjoying the fleeting newborn days. Instead, I found myself chasing down phone calls and sending countless emails, just to get what I was owed. It was frustrating, exhausting, and frankly, an insult to every mother who’s paid into these systems expecting support when they need it most.

Now that I’m back at work, I’m more determined than ever to advocate for better maternity protections and to shine a light on these downright disgusting practices. No parent should have to go through this while they’re recovering from childbirth, and it’s high time we hold these companies accountable.

So, here I am, back in the grind, but with a renewed sense of purpose.

Because if there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s that we deserve better—better care, better support, and better systems that don’t add unnecessary stress to an already challenging time.

Thanks for reading my rant. Now, let’s keep pushing for the change we want to see.

A progressive mother on a journey towards justice,

Edil Mari De Los Reyes