Maternity Leave: Is 12 Weeks Enough? - Cathy Zhang

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Caring for a newborn, the stress of childbirth, and postpartum depression are all experiences millions of women in the United States go through. Nonetheless, many mothers face inadequate paid leave. According to recent reports, 45% of women must return to their jobs just two weeks after giving birth. 40% are not eligible for the Family Medical Leave Act that provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Federally, there is no paid maternity leave and each state has yet to figure out its own policy.

On average, the paid and unpaid maternity leave in the U.S. is 10 weeks long. However, according to New America, the paid maternity leave that is best for the health and overall well-being of a mother and her child is 26 weeks. Studies find that this period helps infants with bonding, as well as increased immunization and breastfeeding. As a result, longer maternity leave decreases the chance of being re-hospitalized for both the mother and child, and lowers infant mortality rates overall. However, in contrast, less than 12 weeks of paid leave is linked to increased depression and anxiety for the mother as well as side effects for her child as well. Overall, longer leaves are found to be beneficial in the long run for women, as the longer leave correlates to improved mental health.

Though taking a longer maternity leave is more beneficial, taking the break in general is crucial for the health of newborns and mothers, despite the duration. As the 12 weeks after giving birth is sometimes referred to as the fourth trimester, this period is still considered part of the overall period of pregnancy. For the mother, this may mean a period dedicated to mental recuperation, experiencing symptoms such as sleep deprivation, negative thoughts, or loss of coping mechanisms. It is estimated that one of every five new moms experiences mental health disorders in the postpartum period. A mother’s body also goes through physical changes after childbirth such as pelvic floor issues or urinary dysfunction. For these reasons, mothers greatly benefit from any amount of time to adjust to this new situation and focus on taking care of not only their family but also themselves. 12 weeks of maternity leave may be adequate for some, but longer leaves provide greater benefits for both infants and moms.

Works Cited

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“Paid Leave Is Essential for Healthy Moms and Babies.” National Partnership for Women & Families, 25 Sept. 2023, nationalpartnership.org/report/paid-leave-is-essential-for/#:~:text=Longer%20paid%20leave%20significantly%20increases,and%20obesity%20for%20the%20mother.

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Booth, Jessica. “How Maternity Leave Affects Your Health.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023, www.forbes.com/health/womens-health/how-maternity-leave-affects-health/.

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