Micro maternity leave

There is an increasing trend of micro maternity leave. Sarah looks at the issue of mums returning to work days after bub's delivery.

Read the full blog post: Micro maternity leave

I returned to work when my son was 3 weeks and 2 days old. I hated it. Regret it so much. The Dad had taken off and stolen all the money I had saved for my time off. I met and began dating my now fiance while I was pregnant (But felt it was a bit much to ask him to support me while on leave). We are now pregnant with our second bub (He see's the first as his also) and he is willing to support me for as long as I would like. He is even frantically applying for new, higher paying jobs so that we have the means to do so. I am very much an active person, I used to struggle taking holidays longer than 2 weeks without being bored and needing to return to work, but even 3 weeks with my son was no where near enough. WILL NOT be doing that again.

Hi, I had a ceasarian and returned to work after 3 months. In hind sight I wish I had taken longer but had to return earlier if I wanted to keep my current position within the firm that I work for. The emotional roller coaster was hard and I constantly feel guilty about leaving my child every morning. Being the main income earner was also a deciding factor.

The criticism from other women was very hard to take but financially we couldn't afford for me to take a year off. I love my job as well and think of all the things my child has due to me returning to work. Another mother in a similar situation said to me that it's about quality hours with your child, not quantity. I ensure that every second I'm not at work is spent with my child and cherish every moment.

Second time around (if I'm lucky enough) I will be taking more than 3 months off.

I am having twelve months off and struggle at the thought of putting him into care at this time. I have the option of two years off and my position will still be held. In saying that, finances will likely warrant my return after twelve months. I would love to find a suitable way to remain at home...so far the lottery isn't working out for me and inspiration for a viable home based business - well none to date. It's not 'PC'to say it - but I envy the 1950's stay at home mum.

When I was pregnant with DS I initially thought I would just take 3-4 months off and return part time. When he arrived I realised that it was unrealistic and ended up having a full year off. I changed employers since then and had DD 4 months ago. The pressure has been on big time to come back asap but I have been able to delay as we cannot get a daycare place until next year. Every time I speak to my boss she drops hints about how busy they are and she really wishes I could come back sooner, but at the end of the day DD and DS are more important than a job/career to me smile

I am having twelve months off and struggle at the thought of putting him into care at this time. I have the option of two years off and my position will still be held. In saying that, finances will likely warrant my return after twelve months. I would love to find a suitable way to remain at home...so far the lottery isn't working out for me and inspiration for a viable home based business - well none to date. It's not 'PC'to say it - but I envy the 1950's stay at home mum.

Totally agree about the 50's stay at home mum!

While I was pregnant the thought of returning to work 2 months after my baby would be born, was fine...I thought very do-able. Now that my son is in my arms the very thought of goin back breaks my heart.I cant imagine being at work 40hours a week while he is so young & missing out on him growing up.
Finances are up in the air, & will dictate me going back as am the main breadwinner....
Its even harder now as have been offered my DREAM job, one which I have waited years for....& I feel very torn on what I should do.

I was a single mum and I started a new business, 6 years on I have found a success industry online solutions that enables me to spend time with my son and make more money in a month then I do in a year in my traditional business. Best decision I made,now creating the future I desire and deserve www.annettesayers.com.au

I work as a subcontractor which essentially means I run my own business so I have been juggling emails since the day I got home from hospital. Bubs is 6 weeks old now and I'm due to go back in a full time capacity in 4 weeks... Not looking forward to it but am going to try and work from home as much as possible but it's just a little daunting trying to contemplate dealing with lots of phone calls and emails and getting quality time with my lil man

I am due in a few weeks with my first after years of TTC, and plan on taking 12 months off - the thought of going back to work after this is a bit daunting, as I do not want to miss any of the milestones. If I wasn't there for the first word or steps I would definitely feel guilty, but these days it is very hard to maintain a household on a single income, especially when trying to save for a house or to try and get anywhere in life.
I justify it to myself as a small sacrifice to pay when the time comes, as it is working towards a better and more secure childhood for my little one.

Taking time out while taking care of your baby is very important, that means doing things for yourself like to try Zumba or Dance Class, do Yoga practice. I agree that new mothers should be allow themselves to take breaks from the baby at least once a day.

It's not 'PC'to say it - but I envy the 1950's stay at home mum

I totally agree. Not to sound backwards, and I love the fact that women are more present in the workforce these days, but things were so much more clear cut when the men went out to work and the women stayed home with the kids. These days women are expected to be the primary caregiver and breadwinners and cook and clean..... It seems to be creating a generation of women who feel inadequate no matter what they do! If they stay at home and look after the kids, they arent contributing to society, if they go back to work they are bad parents. If they try to do everything they run themselves into the looney bin.

Not sure what the solution is, besides winning the lotto or discovering that a long lost uncle in Belgium has died and left you his millions.