Barriers and Equity in Paid Parental Leave: Insights from Diverse Postpartum Experiences in Connecticut

Paid parental leave (PPL) is a critical yet unevenly distributed support that can shape postpartum recovery and maternal mental health. Even in states with comprehensive PPL programs, families often face barriers shaped by job type, income, language, and limited awareness. This study provides a nuanced, qualitative exploration of diverse postpartum individuals' lived experiences with PPL, addressing critical gaps in understanding barriers and inequities beyond quantitative data.

We used a phenomenological approach to capture participants' lived experiences with PPL following the implementation of Connecticut's state program in January 2022. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 postpartum women between December 2023 and March 2024. Participants were recruited through parent-focused events and social media, and eligibility included giving birth since 2022 and having used or attempted to use PPL. The sample was racially, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse, with a range of employment types.

Four themes emerged: (1) rest and recovery, highlighting PPL's role in healing and bonding; (2) internal struggles and family guilt, reflecting pressures to return to work; (3) external barriers, including workplace stigma and policy awareness gaps; and (4) paving the way forward, including when participants offered suggestions to improve PPL.

PPL supports maternal recovery, but persistent barriers limit its impact, even in Connecticut for those with broad PPL eligibility. Equitable wage replacement, expanded access, and integrated PPL education in health care settings are critical for promoting equity and public health.