Planning maternity leave in the US
The United States has no national paid maternity leave. Most workers rely on a combination of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), state programs, employer policies, paid time off and short-term disability insurance. This calculator turns your due date and the weeks you plan to take before and after the birth into concrete dates.
The dates
- Leave starts = due date − weeks before × 7
- Last day of leave = due date + weeks after × 7 − 1
- Back to work = the day after the last day of leave
The baby’s actual birth date may change the plan: many policies count postpartum leave from the birth itself.
Worked example
Your due date is March 3, 2027. You plan to stop 2 weeks before and take 10 weeks after.
- Leave starts on February 17, 2027.
- Last day of leave: May 11, 2027.
- You return to work on Wednesday, May 12, 2027.
- Total: 12 weeks, the maximum protected by the FMLA.
The FMLA in brief
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | up to 12 weeks per 12-month period |
| Pay | unpaid, though you may use accrued paid leave |
| Job protection | same or equivalent job on return |
| Health insurance | maintained on the same terms |
| Eligibility | 12 months with the employer, 1,250 hours in the past year, 50 employees within 75 miles |
Both parents can take FMLA leave for the birth and bonding with a newborn within the first year.
Paid leave options
- State paid family leave: California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Oregon and Colorado, among others, offer partial wage replacement, often 6 to 12 weeks.
- Short-term disability: typically covers 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and 8 weeks after a cesarean, at 50 to 70% of pay.
- Employer policies: many employers offer paid parental leave on top of the legal minimum.
- Paid time off: vacation and sick days can be used to stay paid during part of the leave.
Tips
Tell your employer in writing, usually 30 days before leave when the date is foreseeable. Check with HR how your benefits combine, how pay is handled during each part of the leave, and whether a gradual return or part-time schedule is possible.
A note on medical advice
This calculator gives estimates based on averages. It does not replace advice from your doctor, midwife or health care provider, who will date your pregnancy and follow it with exams and ultrasounds.