Health

Midwife Pushes for Extended Maternity Leave

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association leading the charge to increase the national maternity leave from 13 weeks to 20 weeks.

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2022

Megan Shepherd

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association leading the charge to increase the national maternity leave from 13 weeks to 20 weeks.

Anna Forbes has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and a midwife for 22 years.

She says she is passionate about pushing the government to increase maternity leave to 20 weeks.

She notes the government has been advocating to make Princess Margaret Hospital a “baby” friendly hospital, but what does that mean?

According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, the baby-friendly hospital initiative encourages health facilities to better support breastfeeding.

She says in order to maximize the current 12-week leave, some women work as close to their due dates as possible, which is not always healthy.

She says the benefits of allowing more time at home with a new baby are priceless, and she’s hopeful the government will move in this direction sooner rather than later.

Forbes also notes that while 20 weeks is a good start, it is still enough. Several international bodies recommend at least six months maternity leave.