The Specifics of Family Leave in the US
According to Healthline, over 40% of women don’t qualify for maternity leave at all. That alone can be shocking. You’ll often hear that maternity leave exists for everyone, yet nearly half of women are left to figure it out without federal protection.
Although most meet the initial basic guidelines to qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act, there are more contingencies that some aren’t aware of. Your employer should also be a qualifying employer and meet certain employment thresholds. Many parents learn this after they are already pregnant, and the emotional and financial pressure hits fast. Before the family planning process, always consider asking your employer about their specific policies.
Covered employers under FMLA include private employers with 50+ employees in at least 20 workweeks of the current or previous year, public agencies of any size, and both public and private K–12 schools. So even if you personally qualify, if your employer doesn't meet these criteria, federal maternity leave does not apply. This is one reason more families turn to a parental leave coach or parental leave consultant because the system doesn’t make it very clear.
The reality of the lack of federal protections means that help is meant to be sought after earlier rather than later.
Do Dads Get Parental Leave Too?
Yes, fathers can also get these benefits. When asking what is paternal leave, the answer is fathers and partners can also benefit from the same Family Medical Leave Act. Having time for fathers to bond with their newborn and support the birthing parent is always recommended if/when possible. Again, the reality depends on eligibility, employer policies, and culture.
Parental leave specialists often promote the idea of both parents taking advantage of their parental leave policies. Families that receive parental leave can often work together to raise the child in its earliest stage where much attention is needed. Newborns wake every 1–3 hours. Nothing about the postpartum period is light, linear, or predictable.
A large portion of dads continue working after the birth of their newborn, many ask themselves how they can help their wives during this postnatal period if they aren't home. It’s not usually a lack of willingness but more so financial constraints, culture, uncertainty, and fear of stepping back from work.
Common ways to be a supportive partner for the postpartum mother include preparing feeding setups, stepping in for newborn soothing cycles, managing household tasks she shouldn’t worry about yet, and offering real reassurance. Not the “Let me know what you need” reassurance. The “I’ve already taken care of it, you rest” version.
Additionally, instead of spending long hours researching baby sleep tactics, lactation troubleshooting, or postpartum anxiety in the middle of the night, families today choose live guidance. Working with people who specialize in this, whether a lactation expert, postpartum doula, mental-health specialist, or a parental leave coach. The right one can save hours, energy, and stress.
Your partner doesn’t need you to become Google. Support for your partner postpartum looks like meaningful presence, partnership, and support structure.
Parental Leave Varies By State
Policies regarding maternal / parental leave from work can vary state by state. Even though not all states offer paid leave, the U.S. is required to guarantee 12 weeks of unpaid leave if you are able to qualify.
If you are asking yourself if you should take maternity leave and what benefits you can qualify for if you need more recovery time postpartum, always consult with an expert for a detailed response.
You can find parental leave specialists for your designated state to answer questions on the best action plan as your due date approaches. It can become extremely hard to make thoughtful decisions about work, recovery, and childcare without understanding the leave system you’re operating in.
Get Support on Parental Leave Policies
Some parental-support services, including telehealth parent coaching, lactation support, and mental-health care, may qualify for coverage through FSA or HSA plans depending on eligibility criteria. Parents can review guidance on eligible services from MissPoppins to understand reimbursement options.
Support during leave doesn’t have to feel financially out of reach. There are ways to access help that don’t rely on midnight-Google-search survival mode.