Maternity Leave Access and Health: A Systematic Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework Development

Abstract

Background Maternity leave is integral to postpartum maternal and child health, providing necessary time to heal and bond following birth. However, the relationship between maternity leave and health outcomes has not been formally and comprehensively assessed to guide public health research and policy in this area. This review aims to address this gap by investigating both the correlates of maternity leave utilization in the US and the related health benefits for mother and child. Methods We searched the peer-reviewed scholarly literature using six databases for the years 1990 to early 2015 and identified 37 studies to be included in the review. We extracted key data for each of the included studies and assessed study quality using the "Weight of the Evidence" approach. Results The literature generally confirms a positive, though limited correlation between maternity leave coverage and utilization. Likewise, longer maternity leaves are associated with improved breastfeeding intentions and rates of initiation, duration and predominance as well as improved maternal mental health and early childhood outcomes. However, the literature points to important disparities in access to maternity leave that carry over into health outcomes, such as breastfeeding. Synthesis We present a conceptual framework synthesizing what is known to date related to maternity leave access and health outcomes.

The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in Mexico: Maternal health outcomes and costs

“…Also, the ANM endorses legislating in favour of extending the duration of paid maternity leave for working mothers (González de Cosío et al, ). In developed countries, an extended period of maternity leave is associated with higher exclusive breastfeeding and longer breastfeeding duration (Andres, Baird, Bingenheimer, & Markus, ; Baker & Milligan, ). Since 1952, the period of paid maternity leave in the country covers 12 weeks, but only 32% of women have an employment with social protection.…”

Combining breastfeeding and work: findings from the Epifane population-based birth cohort

“…Breastfeeding (BF) initiation has been shown to be insufficient, and mean BF duration falls under the recommended 6-month duration in most developed countries, despite its acknowledged benefits and public health actions [1]. Among several determinants, increasing attention has been paid to return to work (RTW) as a major constraint to initiate and continue BF [2][3][4]. Numerous previous studies consistently concluded that RTW before 12-16 weeks, compared with later or not at all, was associated with shorter BF duration [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…Moreover, women who planned to work after giving birth often did not begin BF, by anticipation. However, conclusions between studies are inconsistent [2,7,[11][12][13][23][24][25][26][27]. Methodological weaknesses, i.e.…”

Parental Leave in Graduate Medical Education: Recommendations for Reform

“…In addition, the rate of sudden infant death syndrome is reduced by over onethird. 13 Benefits of breastfeeding to the mother include earlier return to prepregnancy weight and decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. 14 Parental leave for the nonbirth parent is less well studied, and policies are less standardized across all industries.…”