OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
According to the 2021 Maternity Leave Experience Report, 40 per cent of mothers surveyed considered quitting when they returned to work. Mayo Clinic reports that over 50% of women return to work after their maternity leave, but many feel guilty about leaving their baby in someone else's care. "You may be wracked with guilt, not ready to leave your baby in someone else's care or concerned to make the right choice for your baby," says Mayo Clinic. Being mindful of emotions after pregnancy and encouraging new moms to prioritise taking care of their mental health is critical to postpartum recovery.
According to a post on Maven Clinic, "There are over 28 physical postpartum symptoms that new mothers commonly report, including pelvic dysfunctions, headaches, heavy bleeding, fevers, and uterine infections, to name a few. During this time, women who have given birth also often deal with hormonal fluctuations and mood swings. This is very common, with 80 per cent of people experiencing some degree of emotional upheaval after childbirth. Being mindful of emotions after pregnancy and encouraging new moms to prioritise taking care of their mental health is critical to postpartum recovery."
The same post also mentions, "For new moms that decide to breastfeed, pumping away from home is often regarded as one of the biggest sources of stress when returning to their jobs. Workplace accommodations for pumping are often insufficient, and office cultures make it difficult to take the necessary breaks for pumping."
An expert from Working Moms Against Guilt advises: "Give yourself time to adapt. Take it day by day. Your heart will lead you to the right answer - don't rush it. Nothing needs to be solved in those first few weeks. Just try to survive and settle into a routine."
A quote from Kaveesh.com, a website dedicated to new moms, says: "Your first day back at the office will be like a walk in the park, mama. Everyone at work is going to be so excited to have you back! If your baby could talk, they'd say, "Good luck at work, mom!" Your feelings right now are so valid. Your maternity leave may be ending, but the bond you've made with your baby is for life."
In returning to work, we step onto a path trodden by many, yet uniquely our own. The challenges are real, the emotions raw, but in embracing this journey, we redefine what it means to be a working mother.
It's more than a return; it's a declaration that motherhood and career can coexist harmoniously. So, here's to the working mothers, charting new territories, rewriting the script, and finding strength in the beautiful dance between professional ambition and the profound joys of raising a family.