Upon request, a teacher who is the parent other than the birth mother shall be granted three (3) days of birthing leave without loss of salary or benefits to attend to needs directly related to the birth of his/her children. At the teacher's option such leave may be taken at the time between the day of the birth of his/her children and three (3) days following the discharge from hospital of the mother or the child(ren). The days of leave need not be taken consecutively.