Monday, April 03, 2006

"Shocking" Research: New moms in the U.S. need more support, time off

New research in the US finds:

"This study highlights the need for ongoing rest and recovery beyond four to six weeks postpartum, and the need for more support for women," said study author Pat McGovern, an associate professor in the division of environmental health sciences at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

"Moms that have just delivered have a great need for support. In other parts of the world, help for new moms and maternity leave is more generous than in this country," said Dr. Nicholas Klein, director of obstetrics and gynecology at Nyack Hospital in Nyack, N.Y.

Under the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), women who work for companies with more than 50 employees can take 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave for the birth of a child, explained McGovern.

1 comment:

Rowan said...

12 weeks of UNPAID medical leave ... How ... generous.

The work-a-holic attitude in America doesn't look kindly on women who want to take off after having a baby, which is a darn shame.