From my understanding and talking with our HR department, SDI waiting period starts the day your doctor says you're unable to work any longer.. There's no specific date or guideline. Most women don't want it to start at 36 weeks, because there's a limit to the total amount of time you can be out (I think 12 weeks?) and most people would rather spend as much of those 12 weeks with their baby as possible.

 I'm due 2/16, and planning a tentative out date of 2/1, just for logistical reasons, but assuming I'm still feeling well, will keep working as long as possible 

Karla CS:

From my understanding and talking with our HR department, SDI waiting period starts the day your doctor says you're unable to work any longer.. There's no specific date or guideline. Most women don't want it to start at 36 weeks, because there's a limit to the total amount of time you can be out (I think 12 weeks?) and most people would rather spend as much of those 12 weeks with their baby as possible.

 I'm due 2/16, and planning a tentative out date of 2/1, just for logistical reasons, but assuming I'm still feeling well, will keep working as long as possible 

 Thanks for the response.

 I'm due 3/13, but am planning (at this point) to go out at 2/22, which is at 37 weeks & 2 days. I work for the State, so I won't run out of that time, but I was just wondering about the gap at the beginning. But if I go out at 37 weeks, I think I should be good...I shouldn't run into the issue I was worried about.

Karla CS:

From my understanding and talking with our HR department, SDI waiting period starts the day your doctor says you're unable to work any longer.. There's no specific date or guideline. Most women don't want it to start at 36 weeks, because there's a limit to the total amount of time you can be out (I think 12 weeks?) and most people would rather spend as much of those 12 weeks with their baby as possible.

 I'm due 2/16, and planning a tentative out date of 2/1, just for logistical reasons, but assuming I'm still feeling well, will keep working as long as possible 

Your assumption is correct, I also work for the state and have since delivered my baby.  Yes, you can be on SDI 4 weeks prior to your due date and 6 weeks after a vaginal birth (8 weeks for cesarean).  Even if your baby is late, you still get 6-8 weeks of benefits starting the day the baby is born. 

I had a different experience. I went out at 36wks and was 2wks late. I got paid for the extra time I was off plus 6wks after she was born through disability, then I have additional 6wks of paid family leave.