Returning to Work After Baby: A Personal Interview with a Working Mom
Returning to work after having a baby is a significant transition, filled with mixed emotions and a range of challenges. In this interview, a working mom shares her personal experience about balancing work, motherhood, and self-care after returning to her job postpartum.
Can you describe your emotions when you first thought about returning to work after your baby was born?
I was definitely overwhelmed with emotions when I thought about going back to work. I know some people feel ready to get back into a routine, but for me, it was really tough. I had been breastfeeding and was so used to being with her all day, every day. The thought of being away from her for 9 hours felt heartbreaking.
How did you decide when the right time was to return to work postpartum?
Unfortunately as a working mom, it wasn’t up to me. FMLA only guarantees you get to keep your job for 12 weeks, so that’s when I returned.
Were there any workplace adjustments you needed to make to accommodate your new schedule (e.g., breastfeeding, childcare)?
I work as an OT in a couple of hospitals, usually my schedule is back-to-back all day seeing patients. I had to build in some extra pump break times and also pumped while eating lunch (which is also when I would be doing paperwork for work).
How did you juggle your responsibilities at work with your responsibilities at home?
For my job at the hospital, when I’m done with work for the day, I’m done with work and don’t have to bring work home. Being back at work definitely made it harder to attend to household duties though, I’m lucky in that I have an extremely supportive husband! Since so much of my time was consumed with breastfeeding, my husband took over cooking and other household duties.
How did you find time for self-care while balancing both work and motherhood?
Back to my supportive husband! He always encourages me to make time for myself. He will watch our daughter so I can exercise, go get a facial or a massage, or take a nap.
How did you feel about leaving your baby with a caregiver or in daycare, and how did you make peace with it?
It made me really sad! I wish I didn’t have to put her in daycare but at the same time I know it’s so good for her to socialize.
How did your perception of work-life balance change after becoming a parent?
My husband got laid off right before he was supposed to go on paternity leave. After that happened we’ve really come to realize that to employers we are just a number/an employee, but to our families we are so much more and that we want to prioritize time with our family over time spent on work.
How do you think workplaces could better support parents returning after parental leave?
First of all, they could start by giving paid leave! I work in hospitals and healthcare workers don’t get paid maternity leave. Crazy I know. You have the option to pay for short-term disability for yourself if you want then you have to use PTO if you have any before that will kick in.