'I Did Not Feel Welcomed', 3 Women On Returning Back To Work After Maternity Leave

The transition back to work after maternity leave is anything but simple. 

women returning to work after leave

Transitioning back to work post your maternity leave isn't a smooth run. It brings along its own challenges. It is natural for every woman to feel anxious about returning to work after a long break. However, what makes the re- entry to the workforce further challenging are systemic barriers like lack of family support and deterring work environment among others.

According to a study, over 70 percent of new mothers quit their jobs after giving birth since the hurdles to overcomeare just way too many. To begin with there's, the mom guilt; feeling guilty about not doing enough as a mother, not making the right decisions, choosing work over the baby can take a toll. As mothers, we are all expected to fit in the gold standards set by the society, which mostly wants us to prioritise motherhood over everything.

Full-time working mothers have their own share of struggles — being dependent on a support system, not being able to spend quality time with their little one, getting career shamed, juggling between work and motherhood amid others.

For me, the ride back wasn't that troublesome. I had a support system at home, a partner who was ready to share the burden of household chores, and my mother-in-law willingly volunteered to be my baby's caregiver. However, it was a bittersweet experience for many others who joined the workforce post delivery. We spoke to a few who shared their stories with us.

‘There Was Mom Guilt’

mom guilt

Karishma Sharma shared, “I had this constant guilt that I wasn’t there with her while she was taking her first step or at the time she woke up or during the times she wanted her mother to be by her side. ”
“Also, if she wasn’t well or woke up through the night, I had to stay up late and it got really exhausting for me the next day at work.”

‘The Transition Was Difficult’

women back at work

Nidhi shared with us, “I conceived my baby, eight years after marriage. I always had this thing in my mind that after delivering my baby, life will get restricted as I had no support in Delhi. I thought I would have to sacrifice my career to take care of my baby. However, my husband and in-laws supported me and helped me to resume work immediately after 40 days as I recovered. Joining the office after 40 days was a great experience but the transition was difficult. (At least) when I joined back I got a warm welcome from my team. Also, I was not assigned much work in the initial days."

‘I Did Not Feel Welcomed’

women working after maternity

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Namita shared, “My experience was sour. I did not feel welcomed. Though a welcome mom effort was done by the organisation but my team was quite cold. Till date, people feel I am a lactating mother and I would not be comfortable taking up certain projects or travel for work.”
The expectations mothers have to live up to is often unrealistic and only adds to the burden. Having a return-to-work plan in hand ahead of the delivery can help. Acknowledge the expected troubles and, take one day at a time. There is nothing like having a support system during this time.
It is imperative that your partner recognises your career goals, doesn't add to the baggage of being the perfect mom and agrees to share the burden with you.
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