Heavily pregnant woman's video proves the US is totally cooked
At 38 weeks pregnant, most women are slowing down, washing tiny onesies and waiting for labour to begin. In Australia, many would already be on paid maternity leave, with weeks – and soon months – of guaranteed paid time to recover and spend time with their newborn.
In the United States, it's an entirely different story.
A US woman has gone viral after filming herself preparing for an overnight shift as a nurse, while she suffers from contractions just days away from her due date.
The clip, which has amassed over 3.2 million views, begins with soon-to-be mum Caitlin, telling her viewers that she thinks she will have her baby this week.
'I can't believe I'm even saying this, but get ready to work another night shift with me at 38 weeks and two days pregnant,' she begins.
'My body just really hurts and I'm exhausted, and going to work nightshift as a nurse when I'm this pregnant is not easy.
'At my last check I was two centimetres dilated and 50 per cent effaced,' she added.
Thousands weighed in on the clip, with many branding it 'inhumane' and 'cruel' treatment.
'I feel so sad for you. it is inhumane, your country has failed women,' wrote one viewer.
'This feels absolutely illegal,' said another.
'You're two centimetres dilated and still going to work? America is bizarre,' said a third.
'America is crying about the drop of birthrates but then treat their pregnant women like this,' wrote a fourth.
In a follow-up clip, the mother-to-be revealed she had 'barely survived' her night shift and explained why she's still working.
'My body is hurting so much but I cant afford to take off before my baby is born. I only get 12 weeks leave at less than 50 per cent of my pay, so I want as much time with my baby as I can get.'
Dr Justin Tucker, Sydney-based Obstetrician and fertility specialist, told news.com.au that working night-shifts at that stage of pregnancy is 'pretty brutal', and could have effects on the pregnancy.
'You want to be going into delivery feeling rested as the energy sets you up for success in the next phase,' said Dr Tucker.
He recommends women stop working at 36 – 37 weeks, before putting 'all tools down' at 38 weeks.
'You can't go in depleted otherwise you could experience milk supply issues, bonding issues or adjustment issues.
'If you feel like you have no choice but to work and you're spreading yourself thin then; something has to give eventually.'
Under federal law American parents are entitled to just 12 weeks off – unpaid. Depending on their employer they may be paid 50 per cent or less of their usual wage, during this time.
That's if they even qualify, with eligibility depending on whether a company has 50 or more employees or whether the employee has completed at least 1250 hours of work in the last year.
For millions of workers, particularly in low-wage and shift-based jobs, that protection doesn't apply. Even if it does, very few families can afford three months without a pay cheque. So they keep working – even as their due date looms.
In Australia, as of July this year, parents are permitted up to 120 days or 24 weeks of paid parental leave.
Parents may also take 12 months of unpaid leave, with the option to request an additional 12 months from their employer.
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