Mat Leave Mamma

Mat Leave Mamma Empowering new & expecting moms through expert advice on maternal health & emotional wellness.

Join hosts Megan Stander, an entrepreneur passionate about maternal empowerment, and Chelsea Ledsen, a registered nurse specializing in women's health, as they guide you through the transformative journey of motherhood. Megan, a mother of two, and Chelsea, a mother of one, blend their personal experiences with professional insights to bring you a nurturing and informative podcast. Focused on five core pillars – Prepping for Postpartum, Postpartum Health & Recovery, Emotional Wellness & Resilience, Mental Clarity & Empowerment, and Identity & Community Connection – the Raising Mama Podcast dives deep into every facet of motherhood. Our episodes, released thrice a month and lasting about 50 minutes, offer a perfect mix of casual yet intellectual discussions, deep, vulnerable conversations, and a touch of humor. Raising Mama is more than just a podcast; it's a movement dedicated to empowering women through education, resources, and support, challenging the patriarchal norms that often overshadow the beauty of new motherhood. Megan's journey from COO and CEO in a male-dominated industry to a maternal well-being advocate, combined with Chelsea's extensive experience in women's health, provides a unique and holistic perspective on motherhood. Join our Raising Mama Village at www.raisingmama.com, where you can access courses, resources, and connect with experts featured on our podcast. Be a part of our community-driven episodes by sending your questions for expert or personal advice. Subscribe to the Raising Mama Podcast today, share it with fellow mothers, and follow us on Instagram at . Let's embrace the journey of motherhood together with confidence, knowledge, and a sense of belonging.

07/30/2026

51%.

That’s the share of California bonding leave claims filed by fathers in 2025.

For the first time since California’s Paid Family Leave program launched in 2004, fathers filed more bonding leave claims than mothers.

This milestone reflects a broader shift in how families approach caregiving, how workplaces support employees, and how fatherhood is evolving.

When parental leave is accessible to all parents, families gain more flexibility, employees feel supported, and workplaces can build stronger cultures.

The future of work includes supporting all working parents.

Source: California Employment Development Department (EDD), A Record Year for Paid Family Leave: Supporting Fathers Across California (2026):

Comment PACKET to get my parental leave guide sent to your inbox. 👇

07/30/2026

📊 2025 California Stat: For the first time ever, fathers filed more bonding leave claims than mothers through California’s Paid Family Leave program.

This isn’t just a number—it’s a sign of how the workplace and modern parenting are evolving.

More fathers are taking time to bond with their children, and more employers are recognizing that parental leave benefits the entire family—not just one parent.

As expectations around caregiving continue to shift, organizations that support all parents can strengthen employee well-being, retention, and workplace culture.

Comment PACKET to get my parental leave guide sent to your inbox. 👇

Source: California Employment Development Department (EDD), A Record Year for Paid Family Leave: Supporting Fathers Across California (2026):

07/29/2026

If you had told me before I became a mom that I could take a full year of paid maternity leave in California, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

I’m a full-time nurse and a mom of two, and I was able to take a full year of paid leave with both of my babies.

The surprising part? So many people don’t know how California’s maternity leave benefits actually work—or they assume they don’t qualify.

That’s exactly why I started sharing what I’ve learned. Every family’s situation is different, but understanding your options can make a huge difference when you’re planning for a new baby.

If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or just planning ahead, follow along. I’ll be breaking down California maternity leave in simple, easy-to-understand terms so you can feel more confident navigating the process.

💬 Type PACKET in the comments to get my 2026 Maternity Leave Guide!

07/27/2026

How to turn 4.5 months of California maternity leave into 1 FULL YEAR off work (100% legal). 👇

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Get a job that pays into State Disability Insurance (SDI) 💼
Step 2: Sign up through the EDD website 💻
Step 3: Lock in 4.5 months of paid, job-protected time off 🗓️
Step 4: Grab your packet and learn how to extend it up to a FULL year 📑
Step 5: Get pregnant and do it all over again! 🔄

Don’t leave your time or benefits on the table. Drop PACKET in the comments and I’ll send the breakdown straight to your inbox! 📥

07/22/2026

Most people think California only offers 12 weeks of maternity leave—but many parents may qualify for more time through a combination of state benefits.

Here’s how it generally works:

✔️ You may be able to start State Disability Insurance (SDI) up to 4 weeks before your estimated due date if your healthcare provider certifies your pregnancy disability.

✔️ After birth, SDI typically continues for 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery or 8 weeks after a C-section for a routine recovery. If your provider certifies that you remain disabled due to pregnancy or childbirth, your disability period may be extended.

✔️ While receiving SDI or Paid Family Leave (PFL), eligible Californians generally receive about 70–90% of their regular wages, depending on income and EDD’s benefit calculation.

✔️ After your pregnancy disability ends, you may qualify for up to 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding. PFL is a separate benefit from SDI.

✔️ Some employers also offer paid parental leave or wage “top-ups,” which can increase your income while you’re on leave. Employer benefits vary.

When these benefits apply, many California parents are able to take up to 18+ weeks away from work between pregnancy disability and baby bonding.

I put everything I wish I’d known into my California Maternity Leave Guide to help make this process easier to understand.

💛 Comment “PACKET” and I’ll send you the guide, or grab it through the link in my bio.

This post is for educational purposes only and is based on California programs. Eligibility, benefit amounts, and leave duration depend on your individual circumstances and medical certification.

07/22/2026

I wasn’t ready to return to work—and I’m so grateful I spoke up.

This is my personal experience with extending my maternity leave:
🤍 I was honest with my doctor about my postpartum anxiety (PPA) and postpartum depression (PPD).
🤍 I was referred to the Kaiser NEST program for therapy and support.
🤍 My therapist and doctor completed the paperwork needed for EDD.
🤍 I was able to return to work when I was truly ready.

If you’re struggling postpartum, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. Asking for help was one of the best decisions I made.

If you’re trying to understand California maternity leave, disability, or the paperwork involved, I created a Maternity Leave Guide to help make the process easier.

✨ Comment “PACKET” and I’ll send it to you, or grab it through the link in my bio.

07/09/2026

❌ YOUR RESUME IS BEING TRASHED. (Just because you’re a mom).

Same skills. Same experience. Half the callbacks. 🤯

Study after study proves that simply having signs of motherhood on your resume (or a gap for caregiving) plummets your chances of landing an interview. Meanwhile, childless women and fathers move right along in the hiring pipeline.

This isn’t a “confidence gap” or a lack of negotiation skills—it’s systemic bias. Employers routinely assume mothers will be less committed or less available, forcing qualified women out of the talent pool before they even get a foot in the door.

Source: “Getting a Job: Is There a Motherhood Penalty?” — Stanford University study by Shelley J. Correll.

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