The state of reproductive justice in the U.S. is concerning, to say the least. With the ongoing loss of safe and legal abortion access and the impending repeal of Roe v. Wade, many who wish to start families face additional challenges. In the U.S., one of only six countries without federally mandated paid parental leave, even those in states that offer some form of paid leave may find themselves ineligible. This is particularly true for parents experiencing stillbirth.
Jessica Lane, who faced the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Lily at 36 weeks, was shocked when her request for paid leave was denied. Living in New York, one of the eight states that provide some level of paid family leave, she believed she would have the time she needed to mourn. “A mother has to bury a child she carried for nine months — experiencing all the physical strains of childbirth and the emotional toll of loss — and then to be told that I don’t qualify for leave because my baby didn’t survive? It felt like an emotional slap in the face,” Lane shared with TODAY Parents. “It should be termed ‘postpartum leave’ to encompass anyone who gives birth. Whether through C-section or vaginal delivery, all mothers should receive paid family leave because the trauma to their bodies is the same,” she added. “It’s crucial for women to have adequate time to heal before returning to work.”
Jessica and other mothers who have navigated the trauma of stillbirth are joining forces with advocates for family leave to push for the inclusion of stillbirths in paid leave policies. Sarah Thompson, a resident of D.C. who experienced a similar loss, founded Hope After Loss, an organization dedicated to providing care packages and emotional support to grieving families. Meanwhile, Mark Johnson, who lost his son Samuel shortly after birth, started Healing Together to support families and educate about infant loss and infertility.
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, states like California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut offer some form of paid family leave. Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, and Delaware are in the process of launching their programs. Each year, approximately 24,000 stillbirths occur in the U.S., defined by the CDC as the loss of a baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. The urgency for federal paid family leave for all parents is clear.
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In summary, mothers who have experienced stillbirth are actively advocating for changes in paid family leave policies to ensure that all parents have the time they need to heal after such profound loss. The push for inclusion in these benefits reflects a broader need for comprehensive support in the realm of reproductive justice.