Imagine this: you’ve just welcomed a new baby into your family—exciting, right? Now imagine that just days later, your partner is back at work while you’re left to juggle the chaos of a newborn and two other toddlers. That was my reality in October 2013, when I had my third child. As a freelance writer, I had no paid maternity leave, and my partner, a high school teacher, could only take 12 weeks of unpaid leave thanks to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) because he worked for a company with over 50 employees. We couldn’t afford to have him at home longer; after all, we still needed to pay for things like electricity and food.
If you’ve had a job and then a baby, you’re likely all too familiar with the dismal family leave policies in the U.S. The FMLA guarantees a mere 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which, according to Think Progress, only covers less than half of women. A significant number of women either lose their jobs or leave voluntarily when a baby arrives. Many are forced to dip into savings, borrow money, or even rely on public assistance. There are a handful of states with paid leave options, but for the most part, American parents are left scrambling to piece together time off with vacation and sick days.
According to Forbes, the U.S. is one of only two countries in the world that doesn’t mandate any paid maternity leave; the other is Papua New Guinea.
How Other Countries Handle Maternity Leave
Now let’s take a look at how other countries handle maternity leave. In the UK, for instance, new mothers enjoy a full 40 weeks of paid maternity leave, with the first 6 weeks at 90% of their wages followed by a fixed rate that varies by country. Dads get two weeks of paid leave and can share 26 weeks. Sounds like a dream, right? It’s just a simple, family-friendly policy that prioritizes mothers and their needs.
Crossing the pond to Canada, new mothers get 15 weeks of leave at 55% pay, and parents can split up to 35 weeks of paid leave. Low-income families can even receive benefits that bump their pay up to 80%. And yes, same-sex and adoptive parents also receive these benefits. Meanwhile, we in the U.S. are left to fend for ourselves.
In China, while prenatal care varies, childbirth can cost between $292 to $1,022. But once the baby is born, mothers enjoy a generous 98 days of paid leave, with additional leave determined by province. Paternity leave is generally 15 paid days.
Then there’s Estonia, where the government offers an astonishing 435 days of paid parental leave, with payments ranging from $507 to $3,138 a month based on previous earnings. Childbirth is free, and mothers receive several allowances for childcare and other needs. Honestly, at this point, I’m considering moving to Estonia!
Slovakia offers 34 weeks of maternity leave, with additional time if you’re a single parent or have twins. Mothers are compensated at 65% of their previous year’s earnings, but you must have paid into sick insurance for 270 days before giving birth to qualify.
In comparison, the U.S. is lagging far behind when it comes to maternity and paternity leave. If you don’t live in one of the few states with paid leave provisions—California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, or New York—you’re essentially on your own. Many women end up broke after having a baby, with 15% resorting to public assistance just to get by.
In September, Donald Trump unveiled a plan to guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave for working women. While this would be a historic first for national postpartum pay, it falls short of the comprehensive benefits that many other countries provide.
So, ladies, let’s be thankful for the crumbs we receive, knowing that a world exists where postpartum support is prioritized. But until then, we might as well look into alternatives for a better life, like moving to Estonia.
Conclusion
In summary, the U.S. leaves much to be desired when it comes to maternity leave policies. While some states offer paid leave, the majority of parents are left without adequate support, which can lead to financial struggle and job loss during such a crucial time.
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. And if you’re considering options for starting a family, you might find useful information on artificial insemination kits that can assist with your journey.