The Plight of Pregnant Federal Workers: A Growing Crisis Amid Layoffs
The recent wave of federal layoffs under the Trump administration has left thousands of government employees reeling, but for many pregnant women, the situation is particularly dire. Emily Erroa, a 38-year-old Army veteran and reservist, found herself at the center of this storm when she was fired from her human resources job at the Department of Energy while eight months pregnant. The stressful ordeal of being repeatedly informed she was fired, only to be told she wasn’t, and then ultimately losing her job, took a toll on her health. Erroa, who is now forced to relocate to Kansas City to be closer to family, described how the constant uncertainty and stress affected her pregnancy, even leading to a hospital visit. Her story is not unique; many pregnant federal workers are facing similar challenges, highlighting the harsh realities of job instability during a critical time in their lives.
The Emotional and Financial Toll on Pregnant Workers
For many of these women, the abrupt loss of their jobs has plunged their lives into chaos. Anna Conn, a 35-year-old employee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Asheville, North Carolina, was fired while eight months pregnant. Her government health insurance is set to expire before her due date, and transferring to her husband’s plan has proven difficult due to bureaucratic delays. As an above-the-knee amputee with additional health concerns related to her pregnancy, Conn faces mounting medical bills, including the cost of a new prosthetic. Her situation is further complicated by the blanket firing policies, which cited poor performance as the reason for termination—despite her excellent performance reviews. The timing of her firing, during her third trimester, also makes it nearly impossible for her to apply for unemployment benefits, as she would be required to actively seek new jobs while caring for a newborn.
Gracie Lynn, a 32-year-old former employee of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Eugene, Oregon, shares a similar experience. Six months pregnant at the time of her firing, Lynn was immediately concerned about the potential $10,000 in additional medical bills for her baby’s heart condition. Despite assurances from doctors that the baby would likely be fine, the stress of losing her job and the delay in receiving paperwork to continue her health insurance coverage exacerbated her anxiety. With critical prenatal appointments looming, Lynn found herself overwhelmed by uncertainty, struggling to navigate the complexities of retaining her health insurance while preparing for motherhood.
The Struggle for Healthcare and Financial Stability
The loss of health insurance is a recurring theme among these women, as many are left scrambling to secure coverage during a time when prenatal and postnatal care is crucial. Emily, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employee based in Washington, D.C., who requested anonymity, had spent years saving up paid time off for her maternity leave. At 11 weeks pregnant, she was informed her contract would be terminated in just 15 days—leaving her with fewer resources than she had planned for. While her contract was later extended by six weeks, she will still forfeit half of her saved leave. This not only affects her financial stability but also her ability to care for her newborn without the support of her employer.
Natasha Weinstein, another USAID employee, found herself terminated at 21 weeks pregnant. Her firing came via a mass email that didn’t even include her name, a detail she found particularly insulting. Weinstein, who had previously lost a pregnancy in the third trimester, is trying to stay calm to protect her current pregnancy. However, the financial strain on her family is undeniable. The abrupt loss of her income has left her and her husband facing an uncertain future, with little clarity on how they will manage the added expenses of raising a child.
The Broader Fallout: A Lack of Support for Pregnant Workers
The layoffs have also disproportionately affected women working abroad. One former USAID employee, who remains anonymous, lost her job at 29 weeks pregnant while living overseas. As a result, she is ineligible for unemployment or family leave benefits in either the U.S. or her home country. The financial strain is compounded by the fact that her husband will now be unable to take unpaid time off to care for their newborn. With her next job likely starting no sooner than October or November, she is bracing for nearly a year without income—a daunting prospect as she prepares for the arrival of her child.
A Call to Action: Addressing the Crisis
The stories of Emily Erroa, Anna Conn, Gracie Lynn, and others underscore the urgent need for policies that protect pregnant workers from such abrupt and destabilizing job losses. While the White House defends the layoffs as part of a broader effort to root out waste and inefficiency in the federal government, the human cost of these actions cannot be ignored. Pregnant workers are not just losing their jobs; they are losing access to healthcare, financial stability, and the peace of mind that comes with being able to provide for their families. As the federal government continues its push for efficiency, it must also prioritize the well-being of its most vulnerable employees—those who are building the next generation of Americans.
