Three pregnancies. Two beautiful boys. One devastating late miscarriage of our beautiful baby girl. Countless days of heartache, and not a single day of paid leave to grieve and recover. 

This is not just my story, but the story of many women across our nation. Maternity leave is granted to women to recuperate, mentally and physically, after the arduous journey of pregnancy and childbirth. But what happens to those who lose their babies after a few weeks into their pregnancy? Who accounts for their pain and trauma? Who supports them while they deal with the physical and emotional consequences of late miscarriage?

The current policy neglects women who have experienced miscarriages at the end of their 1st trimester or early into their 2nd trimester. They are left to fend for themselves, often while still dealing with the physical repercussions of a late miscarriage. No woman should fall through the cracks of a system intended to protect them in their most vulnerable moments.

In the United States, it's estimated that about 1 million miscarriages occur every year, and 1% of pregnancies end in a stillbirth, according to American Pregnancy Association. Many of these unfortunate situations occur after the 13th week, leaving thousands of women out of the necessary support of maternity leave.

Equal rights and support to maternity leave need to be guaranteed and extended to all pregnant women, irrespective of their pregnancy outcome. Paid leave of 12 to 24 weeks should be guaranteed to every woman, no matter if the pregnancy finds its culmination in joy or sorrow. 

Act now to make a difference. Show your support for the amendment of maternity leave policies, and extend your hand to mothers who have suffered the unbearable pain of a late miscarriage. Please sign and share this petition. Let's stand together to tell these brave women they aren't alone in their struggles.