BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

This Woman 'Stayed Pregnant' for 260 Weeks to Make a Point About Paid Leave

The struggle is real.
save article
profile picture of Kelly Corbett
Updated February 3, 2017
woman in red dress at work extra pregnant with blue ball
Image: The National Partnership for Women & Families

Does your job offer paid family leave? Lauren’s sure doesn’t.

The National Partnership for Women & Families published a video titled “A Long Five Years,” introducing us to Lauren, a paralegal at a small law firm in Denver, who has been pregnant for 260 weeks, 5 days and 9 hours.

Now, before you drop your jaw, she hasn’t actually been pregnant for that long. Rather, she has “stayed pregnant” to make an important point about paid family leave: that she, like 86 percent of us in the United States, has a job that doesn’t offer it. Because Lauren can’t afford to take time off to have her baby, she has simply decided not to give birth until she has tallied up enough paid vacation days.

Sadly, the US is the only developed country that does not mandate a national paid maternity leave (But on a state level, California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York have policies). And the 12 weeks off without pay that the Family and Medical Leave Act does provide for can be unrealistic for many families. In fact, nearly one in four new moms is back at work within two weeks of giving birth, according to The National Partnership for Women & Families.

What can we do about this? The National Partnership for Women and Families created a petition to support a comprehensive national paid leave law. Also, if you’re on leave now or looking to help someone who’s expecting, check out Take 12, a maternity leave registry that crowdsources funds to provide new moms with financial support. (Lauren needs this, STAT, before her bump is too big to fit in the office elevator.)

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

pregnant woman getting checked by doctor
New York Could Be First State to Offer Paid Prenatal Leave
By Wyndi Kappes
postpartum mom caring for newborn baby at home
Moms Respond to Viral TikTok With What Maternity Leave Is Really Like
By Wyndi Kappes
These Are the 10 Best Cities Worldwide for Expectant Parents
These Are the 10 Best Cities Worldwide for Expectant Parents
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
meghan mccain from the view advocates for paid maternity leave in the U.S.
Meghan McCain Speaks Out Around the Need for Better Maternity Leave
By Nehal Aggarwal
pregnant woman laughing and sitting on bed at home
To-Dos for Planning Your Maternity Leave
By The Bump Editors
hoda kotb and jenna bush host the today show
All Parents Need to Hear Hoda Kotb’s Maternity Leave Advice for Jenna Bush Hager
By Stephanie Grassullo
Two colleagues discuss maternity leave plan
How to Turn Your Maternity Leave Into a Leadership Opportunity
By Robyn Stein DeLuca, PhD
ADVERTISEMENT
The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)
The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)
By Jenna McCarthy
meghan markle with prince harry is not making any more public appearances
The Next Time We See Meghan Markle May Be When the Royal Baby Arrives
By Stephanie Grassullo
pregnant woman sitting on couch using tablet
Manager Fires Pregnant Woman Because of Upcoming Maternity Leave
By Stephanie Grassullo
ADVERTISEMENT
skin to skin contact with mom and her newborn baby
Massachusetts Now Has the Most Generous Paid Family Leave in the US
By Laurie Ulster
prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern gives birth
New Zealand PM Is Second Leader in History to Give Birth While in Office
By Laurie Ulster
pregnant woman telling employees at work that she's pregnant
How to Tell Your Workplace That You're Pregnant
By Celia Shatzman
ADVERTISEMENT
Pregnant woman at work with tablet
Why Maternity Leave Should Be a 3-Part Plan
By Georgene Huang and Romy Newman
empty office desk
What You Need to Know About FMLA
By Erin Walters
The Affordable Care Act and Your Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
The Affordable Care Act and Your Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
By Kylie McConville
Is Parental Leave Becoming a Boys Club?
Is Parental Leave Becoming a Boys Club?
By Christine Cordova
ADVERTISEMENT
Bumpie Tip of the Week: Should You Take an Early Maternity Leave?
Bumpie Tip of the Week: Should You Take an Early Maternity Leave?
By Kylie McConville
Checklist: What to Ask HR About Maternity Leave
Checklist: What to Ask HR About Maternity Leave
By The Bump Editors
Checklist: Maternity Leave
Checklist: Maternity Leave
By Paula Kashtan
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.