Mothers Advocate for Inclusion of Stillbirths in Paid Family Leave Policies

The landscape of reproductive rights in the United States is increasingly concerning. With many states restricting access to safe abortions and the potential repeal of Roe v. Wade looming, the situation is dire. For those wishing to start a family, the lack of a federal paid parental leave policy adds to the challenges. The U.S. stands out as one of only six countries without federally mandated paid parental leave. Even in the few states that provide some form of paid leave, not all mothers who experience a full-term pregnancy can access these benefits, particularly in the case of stillbirths.

Take the story of Emma James, who faced the heartbreaking loss of her baby, Lily, at 36 weeks. Living in New York, one of the eight states that offers paid family leave, she was hopeful about taking time off to mourn and recover. However, her request for benefits was denied. “A mother goes through the physical ordeal of pregnancy and childbirth, and then to be told that because my baby didn’t survive, I’m not eligible for support? It’s like a cruel joke,” Emma shared with us.

The aftermath of a stillbirth necessitates the same physical recovery as that of a live birth, compounded by the profound emotional pain of losing a child. “It’s imperative we call it ‘postpartum leave’ to reflect the realities of all who give birth. Everyone deserves paid family leave after such a traumatic event, whether it’s a C-section or vaginal delivery,” Emma emphasized. “It’s concerning for women to return to work before they’ve had adequate time to heal, which should be at least six weeks.”

Emma and other mothers who have endured similar losses are uniting with advocates for family leave to push for legislation that includes stillbirths in paid leave policies. Sarah Mitchell, who also lost her child, founded Hope in Action, named after her late daughter. This organization provides care packages and emotional support to grieving families. Additionally, Lily Thompson, who experienced the loss of her son shortly after birth, created Together We Heal, focusing on education and support for families dealing with infertility and infant loss.

Currently, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Connecticut have some form of paid family leave, while states like Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, and Delaware are working on programs that have yet to be implemented. Each year, the CDC reports approximately 24,000 stillbirths, defined as the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of gestation. The call for federal paid family leave for all is urgent.

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In summary, mothers who have experienced stillbirth are advocating for their rights to paid family leave, emphasizing that the healing process after such a loss warrants the same support as any other childbirth. The need for inclusive policies is more critical than ever.

Keyphrase: Stillbirths and Paid Family Leave

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