As a doctor, I took an oath to take care of my patients. I’ve been with new mothers, helping them bring new life into the world. I’ve held the hands of family members as their loved ones take their final breath.

For my patients, their families, and our communities, the lack of Paid Family and Medical Leave is a gaping hole in our social safety net.

Becoming a parent is a wonderful experience, but oftentimes, mothers and fathers aren’t able to take much time off without risking their income. This is detrimental, because the first few months of bonding time with a newborn are truly priceless. It’s a time no one can ever get back. It’s critical for the development of the child, and it lays down emotional roots for a lifetime of love.

This time is not just important for the newborn. As a society, we often forget about what new mothers experience post-delivery, and how crucial it is that they have the time to heal. Whether it be a seamless delivery or a full cesarean section, birth takes a huge physical toll on the body. If a new mom is worried about getting back to work, she might not be able to let her body heal properly, leading to bigger complications down the line.

I am a new mother, and I had a somewhat difficult delivery. I was induced and labored for 36 hours. I feel fortunate I was in a position where some of my maternity leave was still compensated. I was able to let my body recover — but even with the time and resources to allow myself to slowly return to normal, I still have long-standing symptoms. I cannot fathom how much worse this would be if I’d had to return to work sooner.

My son Henry is 10 months now, and all of that pain was worth it for my beautiful boy. Because I had access to paid leave, not only was I able to heal and bond with him, but I didn’t have to struggle with the mental gymnastics of how I could afford his next box of diapers (so many diapers), bottle, or clothes. I didn’t have to immediately fret over childcare, or what would happen if I was working a shift and something went wrong.

It’s also important to acknowledge that not everyone becomes a parent in the same way. Two of my closest friends just became foster parents to a wonderful young girl. Adjusting to this new life — for the child, for my friends, and as a family unit — takes time and a whole lot of patience.

Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits more than just new parents; older patients and their families would benefit, too. I have diagnosed and treated too many people with depression, grief, and anxiety over having to juggle work and caring for their sick or aging loved ones. Whether it be a slow decline or a medical emergency, the primary focus should be on caring for the ones they love most, not the fear of not being able to pay their bills.

The bottom line is Paid Family and Medical Leave is an investment in our people and our communities and in our emotional, physical and mental health. The Legislature just passed a bill (LD 1559) that would create a commission whose sole purpose is to develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

I hope that Governor Mills signs this bill, and we can take this small but significant step forward together as strong and resilient Mainers.

Dr. Isabella Taylor of Lewiston is a family physician.