<P> Maternity leave in the United States is regulated by US labor law . There is a right to a temporary and unpaid period of absence from employment granted to expectant or new mothers during the months immediately before and after childbirth . These policies are generally aimed at supporting the mother's full recovery from childbirth and facilitating a stronger mother - child bond . The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually for most mothers of newborn or newly adopted children . </P> <P> This is one of the lowest levels of leave in the industrialized world . In comparison to other countries, the United States is one of the only countries in the world, and the only OECD member, that has not passed laws requiring business and corporations to offer paid maternity leave to their employees . </P>

How much maternity leave are mothers entitled to in the us