Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer sparked controversy earlier this year, when she announced that her company’s employees would no longer be able to work from home. That’s so anti-working-parent, people thought. But yesterday, Mayer made an announcement that may have people thinking her workplace is more family friendly: Maternity and paternity leave has been extended.

“Under the new policy, mothers can take 16 weeks of paid leave with benefits, and fathers can take up to eight weeks, each time they have a new child via childbirth. Both parents receive eight weeks of paid leave for new children via adoption, foster child placement or surrogacy,” reports NBC Bay Area. This is about double the maternity leave the company’s old policy allowed. This may allow Yahoo to better compete with nearby tech companies Google and Facebook for talent. Google offers 18 to 22 weeks of paid maternity leave, and Facebook offers four months of paid leave to both mothers and fathers.

So, is this normal? Well, no, it’s not. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Women’s Health USA 2011 report, the average length of maternity leave was 10.3 weeks, and only 24.9 percent of women had paid maternity leave for more than two months. In fact almost one-third (29.4 percent) didn’t take any maternity leave, and 33.1 percent of those who took it didn’t have any portion of their leave paid.

In the US, companies are required by law to hold a parent’s job for 12 weeks after the birth of a child, but that’s only if the company and employee both qualify under the Family Leave and Medical Act (FMLA). For example, if your company has fewer than 50 employees or you’ve worked for the company for less than 12 months, you wouldn’t qualify. And, none of those 12 weeks are required to be paid. How much you’re paid for depends on your employer’s policies.

So there’s quite a range, as working moms on The Bump message boards demonstrate:

“I took 12 weeks which was as much as was allowed by my employer. 6 weeks were paid. However I did just hear that our maternity policy changed and now they are paying the full 12-week period. So when I’m out this September with baby #2 it will be paid for. Yay!” – RedDDD

“I will take eight weeks off. I work for a small company and don’t qualify for FMLA. I negotiated it with my employer up from six weeks. I will have four weeks paid, made up of two weeks vacation and two weeks paid maternity leave. I am the first in my company to have a baby and two weeks paid maternity and paternity leave is now written into our company policy. I am proud to be a part of that added benefit.” – jlaOK

“I took two weeks before birth and 20 afterwards. This is two weeks beyond my company’s maximum policy. An exception was allowed since I had a huge vacation balance and the last two weeks fell during the holidays which are slow for us. The company fully paid my salary for the two weeks before and I had a combination of Short Term Disability and pay (for a total of my whole salary) for 12 weeks after birth. I was then able to use sick and vacation pay for weeks 13 through 20.” – whynotwhynot

“I am taking six weeks off and then going back part time for six weeks. Then I’ll be working from home two or three days a weeks and in the office either two or three days a week. It will all be paid, thank god.” – JNLSLSM

“I took six weeks with my first child and five weeks with my second. I needed the money, so I returned to work. Besides, both times, my employer called or emailed me while I was off, and I worked from home anyway. Four weeks was paid at 60 percent of my salary. The other two weeks were unpaid.” – LoCarb

“I took the 12 weeks allowed under FMLA. They wouldn’t hold my job any longer than that. I received four weeks of Short Term Disability pay at 60 percent of my wages.” – financial diva

“All in all I took six-and-a-half months. I did a lot off research and the other people in my company who had taken maternity leave said seven months is the max. 16 weeks were paid.” – Brendamndz

“I took 13 weeks off. The plan was 12, but my daughter came early. I’m a teacher, and I had to give a specific date that I could come back, so they could put a substitute on contract. 10 days were paid — five were sick days and five were childbirth leave. The rest was unpaid.” – dizzykates

How much maternity leave did you take or do you plan to take? Do you think more companies should extend their maternity leave, like Yahoo did?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Maternity Leave Around the World

The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)

Maternity Leave Checklist: Prep for Your Time Off

Moms in our community were weighing the pro’s and con’s of starting their maternity leave early — so moms-to-be, take note! Their helpful hints could help you decide whether or not you should try to make it until your last day, or head for the couch a few days earlier.

Here’s what moms said:

” I figured why hang around work when I could be resting and all that. I have been working because I did not want to use my paid sick leave too much before baby but I definitely think my cankles and back would have appreciated the time off.” — Sarah B*

“I started mine a week ago at 39 weeks. I have been very bored! If my job hadn’t been physically hard I would have stayed. In fact I had a break down yesterday when my husband got home and I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m here alone and bored.” — Heather W.

“I thought I picked a good time to start mine..OH! How wrong I was. Here I am, bored and waiting for this little one to arrive, I feel like I could have been at work all this week!” – Meghan H.

“That’s my concern too! I’m due on the 27th, so I know in all actuality he could come any time between now and then, but he could always wait unitl AFTER and then I just wasted two+ weeks bored at home.” — lilypie56

“Granted I’m sure my back and legs would love not being confined to my desk all day long, but we also have no family out here so the idea of taking time off before baby is even here and then having to come back earlier because of it seems selfish of me, I’d have to be back and work and finding someone to watch him when I would wait and max out everything at the end.” — MaggieRoe11

“I’m starting mine about a week early, but only because I know I am having a c-section on March 22 if baby doesn’t come before that.  I probably would’ve otherwise continued working until I delivered but knowing an actual date prompted me to say Saturday was my last day. So, I have about 5 days to clean my house, rest, collect myself.  I have a friend who is due in two weeks and her last day is also this Saturday, but its because she is so uncomfortable. If you feel like you have everything ready, I would just wait, unless you are so uncomfortable that perhaps the time to yourself would be so beneficial it outweights potential boredom.” — sweetpea144

“I contemplated taking leave early, but thought that the distraction of work would be good. Even if I’m uncomfortable.” – QTmama33

“For me, there was a huge difference in an 8 week old baby than a 12 week old baby. I think I would have passed out from exhaustion sleep deprivation if I had gone back at 8 weeks instead of 12! I’m trying my hardest to stick it out until I go into labor so that I have the full 12 off after delivery.” — LanieB

“I think I would be going crazy sitting around the house waiting for the baby to arrive.” – Desireeebbe

“I was exhausted dragging this watermelon around all day with me.  I work at a gym so lots of walking and showing people around, lots of stress being the boss too.  I honestly didn’t feel good about staying through the week and getting paid if I wasn’t working at my best.  Not fair to my company. Just my opinion.  If you feel like you can’t perform your job the way you always do, it’s time to go out.” – Jessicaeet5

“Even though I have a desk job, it’s getting rough getting up and coming in every day. I hate getting dressed! I actually wore black yoga pants the other day and I’ll probably rock them on Monday as well!” – LeslieKh6

*Some names have been changed.

Moms, weigh in: when should you take your maternity leave?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)

Planning My Maternity Leave — What to Know

How Much Maternity Leave Should I Take?

I recently read about a poll that suggested stay-at-home moms are more likely to be depressed than their working mom counterparts. This was doubly true in SAHMs in lower-income households. This does not surprise me at all. What’s more, I think this situation applies to more women than just those who label themselves SAHMs. After all, aren’t most new moms at home in the beginning, at least as long as our maternity leave lasts?

When I was a new mom, a feeling I remember well was dread at the start of each day. I adored my baby, and I don’t think I suffered from anything more than a normal case of the baby blues. But each morning I would drag my sleep-deprived self out of bed at the last possible minute before my husband left for work and think, “Now what? How am I supposed to fill the day?”

Being at home with a needy, nonverbal person was a huge change from getting dressed and going to an office every day with other grownups. After the novelty of being a new mom wore off, I was lonely at home. And bored. Every day was exactly like the one before, give or take a diaper or two.

At first, I tried to force myself to go out — to mother’s groups, baby yoga, the mall. But this was exhausting, not to mention expensive. I once saw another study about how new moms often rack up credit card debt. No shocker there: shopping is one of the few things you can do while pushing a stroller and not being too far from a bathroom or coffee shop. And it’s easy to shop online during 3 a.m. feedings!

Eventually, I settled into a better routine. I started going to the gym regularly. It was great to be able to drop off the baby at the gym daycare for an hour and take a yoga class and take a shower by myself. Or to just sit on the mats and read magazines. I also joined Stroller Strides, a mom-and-baby exercise class that had social benefits as well as physical. The moms would often hang around after class and chat. Plus, classes were held outdoors in nice weather. Getting out of the house helped a lot, and I realized it didn’t always have to be to the mall or Starbucks or somewhere that cost money. A nearby playground or library is just fine, too.

My advice for new moms who are unhappy at home is to think about what would make you feel better. If you’re craving company, can you invite another SAHM in the neighborhood over for lunch or coffee? If you’re desperate for some solitude, can you swap childcare for a hour or two with a friend or relative? If you just want to get out of the house, is there a kids’ storytime or sing-along at a local library?

I found that having a few things to look forward to each week made a big difference in my happiness. And in my credit card bill.

Did you deal with baby blues? What did you do to help yourself stay happy as a new mom?

Marissa Mayer can finally add mom to her already impressive resume.

The current CEO of Yahoo (former VP of Google) and her husband Zachary Bogue welcomed their baby boy on September 30.

Marissa, who just received her position of CEO just a few months ago, caused a stir when she said she would work through her maternity leave and even planned on bringing her baby into work with her. TechCrunch called her Marissa the “first-ever pregnant CEO of a Fortune 500 tech company.”

No name was reported yet for the couple’s son, but the new mom has been emailing colleagues for baby name suggestions. We may not be able to take such a short maternity leave and run a company, but if Marissa Mayer can do it and be happy more power to her!

Would you take such a short maternity leave?

Plus more from The Bump:

Here’s to Having It All

Maternity Leave Checklist

Back-To-Work Guide for New Moms

A new bill could mean big change for moms-to-be.

On Friday,  Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to the Senate floor. The bill, which was originally introduced in May, would “require employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers,” such as letting them sit when needed, drink water on the job and not require them to do heavy lifting. The bill also would prevent employers from “forcing women out on leave when another reasonable accommodation would allow them to continue working.”

Seems like common courtesy, right? Well, it doesn’t automatically work this way for some pregnant women. ThinkProgress cites several instances where women were fired due to pregnancy-related issues. Some examples include a retail worker in Salina, Kansas being fired because she needed to carry a water bottle to stay hydrated; a nursing home worker who needed help with some physically strenuous aspects of her job; and a delivery truck driver who was forced out on unpaid leave because she had a lifting restriction and was denied light duty.

Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, women in these situations would have rights to have the rules modified to help them have healthy pregnancies. This bill would work in conjunction with  Title VII, which protects a woman from being fired because she is pregnant, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, which establishes minimum paid maternity leave.

What do you think of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?  Do you think we need a bill like this?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Maternity Leave Checklist

How much maternity leave am I entitled to?

Going Back to Work After Baby

It’s a good time to work at Google. The company has changed its maternity leave policy, in hopes of keeping more women with the company.

This change came after executives realized there were far fewer women working for the company than men. After data analysis, Google’s execs pinpointed two big issues that influenced women to leave the company or not accept a job there. One was being unsatisfied with the maternity leave situation. The other was the lack of interaction with other female employees.

The New York Times reports that number of women leaving the company after having a child was twice that of other employees. As a response, Google increased the maternity leave from three months to five months.  The company also changes its pay policy, providing women on maternity leave with full pay. As a result, the number of women leaving decreased by 50 percent.

The extended maternity leave adds to Google’s other family friendly benefits. New dads can take up to seven weeks of paid paternity leave.  The company also provides a $500 stipend for takeout meals after baby’s born (love that!) and offers dry cleaning at the office so families don’t have to run one extra errand outside work hours. What more could a new mom want?

How does your maternity policy compare to Google’s? Did it affect your decision to accept a job or to return after baby’s birth?

Plus more from The Bump:

Study Says Working Moms are Happier and Healthier — Do You Agree?

Maternity Leave Checklist 

Back to Work Guides for New Moms

Every day here at The Bump, we talk about issues that affect moms and moms-to-be: money, maternity leave, relationships, friendships, housework, parenting and more. And like to think we’ve got our fingers on the pulse of what moms really do, want, think and need. But every once in a while we need a statistical reality check.

That’s why we partnered with ForbesWoman to create the ForbesWoman and TheBump 2012 State of The American Mother Survey, so we can get a true glimpse into moms’ biggest challenges and triumphs, decisions and dilemmas.

We want to know what’s going on with you. Make your voice heard — please take our survey now (it takes less than five minutes — promise)!

Former Google executive Marissa Mayer made two very interesting announcements yesterday: 1) She’s been appointed as the new CEO of Yahoo and, 2) She’s pregnant.

Sure, other women have switched jobs during pregnancy, but it’s rare to hear of someone in such a prestigious position doing it. Marissa, who’s expecting a baby boy in early October, told Fortune that the Yahoo directors didn’t show any concern about hiring a pregnant CEO. “They showed their evolved thinking,” she said.

She also said her maternity leave would be limited (practically nonexistent, really.) “I like to stay in the rhythm of things,” she said. “My maternity leave will be a few weeks long and I’ll work throughout it.”

I commend her for being so committed to and involved with her work, but can’t help but wonder if she’s in for a rude awakening — many moms-to-be underestimate just how tough it is recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn. Hey, I wrote articles during my newborn’s naps (I was a freelance writer at the time), but I wasn’t running a company. Of course, maybe that dedication and tirelessness is what makes Marissa CEO material.

What do you think — is Marissa inspiring for wanting to work during her (very short) maternity leave? Or crazy?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Here’s to Having It All

Maternity Leave Checklist

Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave

You might want to take breaks every now and then if you’re standing a lot during pregnancy. A new study, published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, found that women who spent long amounts of time on their feet at work during pregnancy had babies whose heads were 1 centimeter smaller and weights were 148 and 198 grams smaller than average at birth. Researchers looked at the growth of fetuses in 4,680 moms between 2002 and 2006. The women were asked about their working conditions in the middle of their pregnancies. Their babies were routinely measured during their pregnancy and after birth.

Half the women who stood a lot in their jobs worked 25-39 hours a week, while one in four worked more than 40 hours a week. Of those women, the ones who worked more than 40 hours a week had smaller babies.

While standing for long periods of time seemed to have affected the babies, long working hours and physically demanding work did not. The researchers also found that there were no negative effects to working until 36 weeks pregnant. Of course, if women work long hours and do a lot of heavy lifting or moving, they should take frequent breaks and move around. If you’re sitting too much, get up and walk around. If you’re standing, make sure to sit down once in a while.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Plan Your Maternity Leave

Maternity Leave Checklist

How Much Maternity Leave Can I Take?

Yup, you read that right. You’d think it would be the other way around — that moms have to go back to work because their families need the extra income. But for some moms, it will actually cost them more money to go back to work than stay at home. According the CNN Money, after factoring in the cost of child care, transportation costs and other work-related expenses (like lunch, dry cleaning, etc.), moms have found that going back to work wasn’t worth it.

It may make more sense for moms to stay home to save money on childcare and other costs, but some families are still struggling to make ends meet with only one person bringing in the income. And also, what about the moms who do want to go back to their careers? It’s a complicated decision.

Do you think it’s hard to afford to go back to work? Are you going back to work after baby or do you plan on staying home?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Back-to-Work Guide for Moms

Biggest Mommy Regrets

I’m Getting Nervous About Going Back to Work!