Crowdfunding Becomes Popular New Source Of Funds For Moms Without Paid Maternity Leave

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Crowdfunding is the hot new way to pay for everything from honeymoons, to business ideas and even bills. Now, some pregnant women are turning to it to fund their maternity leave.

Many women do not get paid maternity leave and having a baby can be expensive. It's estimated that parents will pay about $16,000 on child related expenses during their baby's first year of life.

A growing number of women are now turning to strangers for help.

Katie Simonton is not due until May 12, but she had to take an early maternity leave to avoid a premature delivery. "Money is not coming in and it's scary," Simonton said. On top of that, she's going through a divorce, has two young children and like many people, does not get paid maternity leave.

Coworkers convinced her to start a GoFundMe Page.

Only 12% of people in the country, working in the private sector, get paid maternity leave. More and more parents are turning to crowdfunding sites.

Simonton has only raised a couple hundred dollars so far, so she plans to go back to work after about four weeks, a reality many new parents have to face.