[ldp01]

> How can you say this with a straight face?! It's a fact that (some) women need to stay off work (bed-ridden before birth, in hospital after birth). It's also a fact that men don't need to.

You're referring to a timescale of days which a woman will likely need to spend in hospital. I believe jschwartzi is referring to the weeks/months of maternity/paternity leave following the initial birth. There isn't a hard biological reason not to evenly share the load after the immediate medical concerns are completed.

[adrianN]

My mother was bed-bound for several months during pregnancy. It's more common than you think.

[whatshisface]

What you're describing is a special medical scenario, not a universal burden shared by all women. Health problems can disable people of any gender.