The U.S. ranks as one of the last in the world when dealing with maternity leave. Mainly, it is not a guarantee for many working mothers. Instead being pregnant in the workforce seems more of a negative situation. Women are placed in a position to decide on work or their family.
Even with the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), because of the lack of application to many employers and limited 12 weeks, families and our economy suffer.
There needs to be an upgraded, extended to all employers, and include fathers, parental leave. In the long run it will be cost effective with preventative health consequences and economic costs for those mothers that may drop out early or after returning to work.
Lets not be one of the last countries to fully support proper maternity leave.