Contents:
- Medical Video: Mom Used Maternity Leave To Travel The World With Her Baby
- The majority of employees take a short leave of absence
- The ideal length of maternity leave
- The impact of leave is too short for mother and baby
- 1. Postpartum depression
- 2. ASI intake is reduced
- 3. Not having time to recover
Medical Video: Mom Used Maternity Leave To Travel The World With Her Baby
The length of maternity leave regulated by law is three months. One and a half months leave before giving birth and one and a half months after you give birth. However, has three months been ideal enough for the health and well-being of the mother and baby? Here is the opinion of experts from various studies.
The majority of employees take a short leave of absence
Although in Indonesia there are clear rules for taking maternity leave, in fact many employees and companies do not follow these rules. You may only take time off one to two weeks before the date of birth. Then you will return to work in the office in just a month after giving birth.
This phenomenon has been very widespread, especially in companies that do not provide benefits for employees who take maternity leave. This is also often found in various companies that override gender equality. As a result, families and newborns will lose a lot of valuable time.
The ideal length of maternity leave
If one to two months of maternity leave turns out to be not ideal for mother and baby, how long should it take? Experts have different opinions about the ideal length of maternity leave.
According to a public policy expert from the University of Virginia, Christopher J. Ruhm, mothers and babies will be healthier and avoid complications if they take leave for 40 weeks or about ten months. This was evidenced in his research which was published in the journal National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Papers.
While another study by experts from Columbia University in the Economic Journal noted that leave for three months after giving birth (if combined with prior maternity leave means a total of four months) is enough to ensure the health of the mother and baby even long term.
Similar results were also proven by a study in the 2013 Journal of Health, Politics, Policy and Laws. Maternity leave for three months after giving birth can reduce the risk of postpartum depression and other health effects on the mother and baby.
Summarized from other studies throughout the world, the duration of maternity leave is ideal, namely minimum of four months. That means one month before giving birth and three months after. However, parents and babies will reap more benefits if the cut is extended. Especially if you are indeed prone to post-natal complications or depression.
The impact of leave is too short for mother and baby
If the mother gives birth for only two months or even less, this is a variety of negative impacts that might occur.
1. Postpartum depression
A number of studies have revealed that mothers who return to work immediately after giving birth are more prone to postpartum depression. The depression that attacks this new mother does not only affect the mother's mental condition. Your baby will also experience the impact. For example babies are not cared for optimally. Mothers and babies will also find it difficult to build strong bonds.
2. ASI intake is reduced
Maternity leave that is too short will have an impact on mother's milk intake for the baby. Either because babies cannot get breast milk when needed or because milk production is hampered because the mother is depressed. This can be overcome for example by breastfeeding pumps or looking for breast milk donors.
3. Not having time to recover
According to experts, after giving birth the mother takes six weeks at the latest to actually recover from labor. However, after that your body still has to rest.
If after giving birth you immediately return to work, postpartum complaints such as fatigue, back pain, breast pain, headache, constipation, and torn vaginal sutures can continue to feel even after a year. This is why the ideal length of maternity leave is very important for maternal and infant health.
