Rich Peterson says, "Encouraging maternity leave during the last month of pregnancy and well into the postpartum period may foster better outcomes for mother and child alike."

Maternity leave makes good health sense, as well as good  economic sense.

Many women from low- and middle-income families can't  afford to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave, as allowed under the  federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

Five states offer paid leave -- California, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, and Rhode Island -- however, the amount of money    mothers receive does not fully cover lost wages.

Five states offer paid maternity leave -- CA, NJ, NY, HI, and RI.           

The amount of money mothers receive does not fully cover lost  wages.

For More Information:

www.richardnpeterson.com