A new study from the charity Pregnant Then Screwed and Women in Data has revealed that 43% of mothers in the UK take only 12 weeks or less of maternity leave following the birth of their most recent child.

This is despite the known benefits of longer maternity leave for both maternal health and child development.

The research points to financial pressures as the main reason for such short leave periods. With statutory maternity pay amounting to just 43% of the national living wage, many families find themselves unable to afford extended time away from work after childbirth.

Financial Hardship During Maternity Leave

Further research from Pregnant Then Screwed shows that 76% of mothers are forced to rely on debt or dip into savings due to the insufficient statutory maternity pay. The charity is advocating for an increase in statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance to match the national living wage, a figure recognised as the minimum required for an individual to live on.

Joeli Brearley, CEO and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, highlighted the impact of low maternity pay: “Maternity pay is an abomination. How is anyone meant to survive on £184 a week, which is less than half the minimum wage?” She emphasised that the perinatal period is crucial for both the mother and child’s health, and the current pay structure is leading to significant financial and emotional strain.

The Emotional and Physical Impact of Early Return to Work

The emotional toll of an early return to work can be severe. Laura, a mother from the West Midlands, shared her experience of going back to work just 11 weeks after giving birth due to financial necessity. “The parenting experience with my child has been greatly impacted. I have been overwhelmed with guilt over the limited bonding time we had in the early months due to my early return to work, which has impacted my mental health greatly,” she explained.

Research has consistently shown that taking maternity leave longer than 12 weeks leads to better health outcomes for both mothers and their children. Extended maternity leave can reduce maternal physical and mental health issues, lower infant mortality rates, and improve breastfeeding success.

A Call for Policy Reform

The findings highlight the pressing need for policy reform in the UK. Pregnant Then Screwed is calling on the government to raise maternity pay to a livable wage, ensuring that new families are not plunged into financial hardship at a time when they are most vulnerable.

Joeli Brearley warned that the current situation represents a false economy: “It is a false economy to not pay parental leave at a rate on which families can survive and thrive.” She stressed the need for the government to listen to parents and create policies that support families, particularly in the crucial early months following birth.

Brearley also pointed out that the UK is lagging behind many European countries in terms of maternity leave and pay, and the long-term effects could be detrimental to future generations.

The Future of Maternity Leave and Support for Working Parents

As the debate over maternity leave and pay continues, organisations like Pregnant Then Screwed are urging the government to prioritise the needs of working parents. With growing evidence of the benefits of longer maternity leave and adequate financial support, many believe that reform is essential for improving maternal and child health, as well as job retention and productivity for working mothers.

The charity’s call for change reflects the broader conversation around parental leave policies in the UK and how they can be reformed to better support families, improve work-life balance, and ultimately benefit the country’s workforce and economy in the long term.