American woman prays her baby isn’t born before midnight — the heartbreaking reason strikes a nerve with every working parent
For many working parents, timing can make all the difference between financial security and added stress. A pregnant American woman, Al Sienkiewicz, faced exactly that challenge when she worried her baby might arrive too early, potentially costing her fully paid leave and federal job protection. She shared her experience on TikTok under the handle @tales_of_a_working_mama, where the video quickly spread and drew strong reactions from other working parents. The clip was shared on December 10, 2025, and, as reported by Newsweek on January 5, 2026, it highlighted how close she was to losing critical benefits simply because of timing as she prepared to welcome her second child.
@tales_of_a_working_mama reality of having a baby in the US- diabolical.
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Sienkiewicz, 38, already a mother to a 2-year-old son, explained that her pregnancy had moved faster than expected. Her due date was first set for December 21, then shifted earlier as doctors noted the baby was measuring ahead. She began her new job on December 9, 2024, not realizing she would soon be dealing with such a risky timeline. During a prenatal appointment on December 9, 2025, she learned she was already four centimeters dilated, which made labor feel very close. “I went home and didn’t move. I had to make it to midnight to be fully qualified for benefits and pay,” she shared with the outlet. She also mentioned that simple plans were canceled, adding, “I planned to go get a pedicure, but I quickly decided that it was a no-go,” as she tried to avoid triggering labor.
As the hours passed, Sienkiewicz spoke openly about her fears. "I began to feel more anxious. I was panicking." If her baby arrived before the deadline, she would only qualify for six weeks of disability pay at a reduced rate, with no job protection. “I need to not have this baby before midnight tonight, otherwise I don’t get leave from my job, and I have to go back to work after six weeks of giving birth,” she said in the TikTok video, clearly stressed. She admitted the situation felt unfair and overwhelming, later saying she felt “resentment at the system,” even while knowing she was luckier than many others.
Later that night, she went to bed, hoping she had made it past the deadline. By 1 a.m., contractions began, and she shared in an update video that she reached the hospital by 3:15 a.m. In another video, she revealed that the baby arrived in under an hour. Thankfully, her baby arrived shortly after midnight, securing her full leave and benefits. The original clip also drew widespread attention, gaining over 3.5 million views since it was posted online. Many people on the internet shared their concerns and support in the comments section. Some users from outside the United States also shared their opinions. @mariarshhh8 wrote, "Watching from Canada with the option of 12 months or 18 months. Jeez." @dame_astrea expressed, "I'm so sorry you have to even worry about this." Meanwhile, @moniquealyce commented, "I'm too Australian to understand this."
For more family-related content, follow @tales_of_a_working_mama on TikTok.