Americans should be rightly alarmed that the country’s birth rates have declined to yet another new low — falling by 23% over the last nearly two decades. But they aren’t dropping for political reasons — the drop is as stark in Texas as it is in New York.  They’re dropping, I fervently believe, because America is one of only seven countries out of 193 in the world — and the only developed country of those — not to offer national paid maternity leave.  Strong, bonded family units begin by giving moms the time they need at home after having a baby.  stock.adobe.com If you are a working woman and have a baby in this country — unless you are in the minority of people who have access to the benefit through their job, or the state they live (14 have a form of paid leave), or have a partner well off enough to support the family on one income — you will find yourself back at work within weeks of giving birth.  In fact, according to a rare study by the Department of Labor, one in four women has…