U.S. should join rest of industrialized countries and offer paid maternity leave: Obama

I understand that it can be difficult. But it's wrong to expect your employer to have to pay you leave for months on end and also have to pay someone else during that time to actually do your job. Most small businesses cannot afford to do such a thing, and it's a dangerous thing for big govt to force small business owners to do such things.

I say wait until you're financially ready to have kids and be able to do what needs to be done to care for them out of your own pocket, time, etc. Or find a job with a company or entity that offers such a benefit willingly on their own. Government / union jobs and jobs with large corporations are probably more likely to be willing and able to offer such a perk. But it shouldn't be under government force.