I was forced to go back to work just 11 DAYS after giving birth
Samantha, 31, was forced to return less than two weeks after she welcomed her youngest daughter into the world, explaining she didn't have a choice as she wasn't eligible for maternity leave.
In 2023, Samantha suffered an unimaginable tragedy after losing her mother to cancer, her then-husband lost his job, and suffering a miscarriage all on the same weekend.
During this time, the northern Alabama mom was working as a store manager at a sandwich shop, as she had been let go from her job in HR the year before.
But things did not get easier during her following pregnancy.
'I left my husband at eight weeks pregnant [in 2024],' Samantha told the Daily Mail. 'I took on all of the household bills and childcare bills, including paying out of pocket for health insurance throughout my pregnancy entirely alone.'
Thankfully, Samantha, who is now a single mom, was able to land a job back in HR in early 2025 which was fully remote, declaring it a 'blessing.'
However, because she started so close to her due date, she was ineligible for paid maternity leave at her new workplace.
'Due to me being the sole provider for my girls, I was unable to take unpaid leave,' Samantha explained.
'My job does offer [maternity leave], but I [had not been] employed for 90 days at the time of needing it,' she explained.
Thankfully, her job worked with her as best as they could, and allowed her to use negative PTO.
'So I went negative 40 on my PTO and took two weeks off, landing me back at work at 11 days post partum,' she heartbreakingly shared.
Samantha filed at for divorce at 38 weeks pregnant, but said in Alabama, a divorce cannot be finalized during pregnancy.
'Not only back at work, but caring for a newborn and toddler on my own while navigating a divorce.'
Samantha said her world is 'entirely different' from when she had her first daughter Olivia, who is three.
'I was in a dual income household, married, and I had my late mother living with me at the time,' she listed. 'I was also making about triple what I currently make as a single mother.'
'I'm finding it… impossible, to be frank,' Samantha admitted. 'Not to be too depressing, but I've cried everyday since October when I left.'
Samantha continued, emotionally saying the weight of providing financially for her family, as well as the emotional toll of going through a divorce combined with the lack of sleep, and the rollercoaster emotions of being postpartum is not something she would wish on anyone.
'I'm not sure how someone is supposed to be a full-time caregiver to two young kids, work a full time job, and not sleep,' she admitted.
'I know this is just a season of life, but man do I wish I could enjoy this season a little more,' she reflected. 'I've definitely been in survival mode for far too long.'
In a report published in 2024, researchers pointed out that the US is the only country out of the group of nations that did not mandate any form of paid maternity leave for pregnant women.
America was also the only one not to have universal healthcare coverage, with an estimated eight million women, or 12 percent of those of reproductive age, uninsured.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The most affordable US states for parents-to-be
By Having a baby is meant to be one of life's most joyful milestones - but in 2025, it's also become one of the most financially daunting. With inflation driving up healthcare costs and childcare prices hitting all-time highs, WalletHub has ranked all 50 states (plus Washington D.C.) to reveal where new parents are most - and least - likely to get a financial break. The average conventional hospital delivery in the U.S. costs over $2,600 with insurance and up to a staggering $15,000 without it. But as the report shows, costs - and care - vary wildly across the country. Some states offer top-notch neonatal care, family support programs and affordable delivery costs, while others fall drastically behind. WalletHub's analysts evaluated states across 31 metrics, including hospital charges for births, infant mortality rates, parental leave policies, food insecurity, childcare availability, and overall cost of living. States were scored in four key areas: cost, healthcare, baby-friendliness, and family-friendliness. So where's the best place to bring a baby into the world in 2025? Massachusetts: Best for birth and best for raising a family Massachusetts topped the charts - and not just because of its picturesque New England charm. The Bay State ranked #1 overall, thanks to its outstanding hospitals, generous parental leave policies, and high vaccination rates for children under three. It boasts the lowest infant mortality rate in the country, access to top neonatal care, and was ranked #1 in healthcare overall. North Dakota: Cheapest place to give birth Coming in at #2 overall, North Dakota dominated the affordability rankings. It's #4 for cost and boasts the lowest average price for a conventional birth without complications - just $7,500, compared to a high of $27,000 elsewhere. The state also has some of the lowest C-section rates and second-lowest complicated birth costs. Childcare is refreshingly affordable, with babysitters averaging just $17.56 an hour - the third-lowest in the nation. North Dakota also shines when it comes to access, with ample child care centers and mom support groups per capita. It ranks #3 for family-friendliness, making it a smart pick for budget-conscious families looking for long-term stability. Minnesota: Best for healthcare savings Minnesota snagged third place, driven by exceptional healthcare and some of the nation's lowest insurance premiums - just $355 per month on average. Expectant mothers benefit from the second-lowest maternal mortality rate in the U.S., and the state ranks high in availability of OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and nurse midwives. It also has one of the largest shares of nationally accredited childcare centers - a reassuring stat for working parents. Overall, Minnesota earned the #2 spot for family-friendliness, behind only Massachusetts. And at the bottom Experts warn: Don't bank on a smooth ride Experts say one of the biggest mistakes new parents make is being overly optimistic - and unprepared. Dr. Taryn Morrissey of American University warned that many couples underestimate the costs, complications, and emergencies that can arise with pregnancy and childcare. 'We tend to believe that we're less likely to experience negative events than others,' she said. 'Things like 'Other people have complications during childbirth, but that won't happen to us.' Dr. Jennifer Lansford, a distinguished public policy professor at Duke University, emphasized that one of the most immediate financial considerations is childcare in the early years - something often overlooked in baby budgeting. 'As the only high-income country without federal paid parental leave, r esponsibility in the United States falls to individual parents to determine if they can afford to take time off work to care for an infant or young child and to consider the costs of childcare if they will be working outside the home,' she said.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Vinay Prasad returns to role as top vaccine regulator at FDA days after leaving US agency
Aug 9 (Reuters) - Vinay Prasad is returning to his role overseeing vaccine, gene therapy and blood product regulation at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration a little more than a week after he left the agency. "At the FDA's request, Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research," U.S. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement to Reuters. Prasad left the agency on July 30 after just a few months as director of the center. STAT News first reported the return of Prasad. Prasad, an oncologist who was a fierce critic of U.S. COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, was named the center's director by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in May. Criticism of Prasad's tenure intensified around the agency's handling of a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy from Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT.O), opens new tab. The FDA-approved therapy played a role in the death of two teens who had advanced DMD. After a third death in a separate experimental gene therapy from the company, the FDA asked Sarepta on July 18 to stop all shipments of the approved DMD therapy, saying it had safety concerns. The FDA changed course on Sarepta on July 28 and said shipments to the main group of patients for the drug could restart. Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, posted a blog on July 20 in which she called Prasad a "progressive leftist saboteur" who was undermining the agency's work. Prasad was a physician who joined the agency from the University of California, San Francisco. He has had stints at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. The FDA and other health agencies have seen multiple shake-ups in recent months under the leadership of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Could YOU have the virus prompting Covid-era restrictions in China? What you need to know about chikungunya virus
China is currently facing what is believed to be the country's largest outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. More than 10,000 cases have been reported in China, and an increasing number of countries across Asia and Europe are reporting near record-high cases or cases for the first time. The CDC has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for China, urging Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the region. However, experts fear the outbreak may have already reached the US. Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada, told Daily Mail: 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. It [the virus] could already be here in the US; and really it's just one plane flight away.' Chikungunya is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same species that carry dengue and Zika viruses. It is rarely fatal but can cause debilitating symptoms, including fever, joint pain and, in severe cases, life-threatening brain and heart damage. Below, Daily Mail reveals everything you need to know about chikungunya virus: What is the situation in China? China has recorded approximately 10,000 chikungunya viruses this year, and about 3,000 of those have cropped up in the last week. Roger Hewson, virus surveillance lead at the UK's Wellcome Sanger Institute, said the current outbreak in China is the largest ever, Al Jazeera reported. To combat the spread of the virus, Chinese officials had ordered travelers from Foshan, the epicenter of the outbreak, to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, similar to Covid restrictions, but that has since been withdrawn. Infected patients are being isolated in hospital wards and covered with mosquito nets. They are required to remain there for a week or until they test negative, if sooner. Images show Chinese state workers spraying clouds of disinfectant around city streets, residential areas and construction sites where people may come into contact with virus-bearing mosquitoes in or near standing water. Drones are also reportedly being used to hunt down insect breeding grounds and spray insecticide, and residents are being asked to empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles that may collect water. Failure to comply with any restriction may lead to fines of up to $1,400 (10,000 Yuan) and locals can have their electricity cut off, according to state media. Is the virus in the US? A small number of cases of chikungunya virus are recorded in the US every year. As of August 5, the CDC reported 46 cases of chikungunya in the US this year, all contracted by travelers returning from high-risk areas. No deaths have been reported. It is unclear how many of these could be linked to China's outbreak. Estimates suggest 1.6million people travel between the US and China every year, with experts saying it only takes one bite from a mosquito on one infected traveler to then pass the virus throughout America. The US has experienced limited local transmission of the virus previously. In 2014 and 2015 cases were detected in Florida and Texas. Locally acquired cases in US states and territories have not been reported since 2019, however, according to the CDC. What is the CDC saying? The CDC is warning Americans to take extra precautions when traveling to high-risk areas. In addition to the travel advisory for China, the agency also issued a warning for eight other countries: Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka. It is advising travelers to wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and to stay in places with air conditioning. Travelers are also been advised to get vaccinated against chikungunya, with two vaccines available that have been approved in the US. Dr Messenger told this website: 'People should be concerned about these diseases, wear topical repellents, wear long sleeves, and get vaccinated against them if they can.' The CDC says that pregnant women should avoid traveling to high risk areas because they are at higher risk of complications from the virus. What are symptoms? About 15 to 35 percent of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, the CDC reports. The incubation period is typically three to seven days and the most common symptom is a sudden onset of a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). Other symptoms of chikungunya virus include headache, nausea, rash, muscle aches, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye and inner eyelids) and joint pain that is sometimes severe and debilitating in the hands or feet. In severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain can occur such as inflammation, irregular heartbeats and organ failure. Symptoms usually last seven to 10 days, but patients may experience lifelong complications such as persistent joint pain. Those experiencing symptoms or who think they are infected with the virus should contact their primary care provider or visit a hospital. Infections can be diagnosed through a patient history, symptoms, blood tests and serum tests. How is the disease treated? There is no specific treatment for chikungunya virus, though there are several options being investigated, according to the CDC. Doctors instead focus on trying to ease symptoms through rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain relief medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol). For people who continue to experience pain, over-the-counter pain relievers, steroids and physical therapy are typically the course of treatment. There are two vaccines available for chikungunya virus and they are recommended for people visiting areas with an outbreak or that may pose a higher risk of infection.
