DOE..

What do I need to do with the DOE for maternity leave? How does maternity leave work for the FMLA if you want to take the 12 weeks? Do you go on disability? Do they use your CAR days? Do you have to use your CAR days? Do you need a doctors note?

DOE..

contact your UFT rep and get the contact info for the maternity workshop. They will schedule you to go to the workshop a month or two before the due date and they'll explain everything to you there.

But the short version is this: you can use your CAR days for 6 weeks (even if you have more days in your CAR bank, you can only use them for 6 weeks), but you can stay out for 12 weeks total. 6 will be paid (CAR days) and 6 will be unpaid. If you choose to stay out during the unpaid portion, you will still have your health benefits and your job guaranteed. You don't have to use your CAR days if you don't want to.

Go to the maternity workshop to learn about what forms you need to fill out after the baby is born, and who to call to put the baby on your health insurance.