Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

I come from a very traditional family. My mom was very active in the community when we were growing up - she was on the local school board for something like 20 years - but she did not work full time. I have two sisters and two sisters-in-law who have children and none of them have gone back to work full time after they had children. So perhaps it was just assumed that I'd stay home after my twin girls were born.

Deciding between breast- and formula-feeding can be a huge struggle for many mothers. And when you work outside the home, there’s a whole new set of considerations. Will my boss be okay with it? Can I find a decent place to pump? Will I remember to bring my supplies to work every day? If you decide to breastfeed and have a career outside the home, the first thing you’ll need is determination. The second thing you need is a realistic look at what it’s like - not to discourage you, but to prepare you.

As Soon As Your Pregnancy Test Is Positive (During Your First Trimester):

• Research your eligibility for FMLA leave (use the flowchart provided in this book to assist you in this determination)
• Find out which state laws and regulations regarding maternity, medical and/or family leave apply to you and your employer.
• Check to see if your state-provided or employer-provided short-term disability applies to your recovery from childbirth – this would not grant you extra leave, but it would provide some payment for your leave.
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I’m going to be honest here. Going back to work after maternity leave can be pretty crazy and traumatic.  After a few weeks of sporadic showering and baby snuggling, you’ve got to set the alarm, fight your partner for bathroom space, pack the diaper bag for an entire day and, oh yeah, leave your precious newborn with someone who is not you. All this for a paycheck?

So you get the baby settled at day care or the sitter’s house. You get to work and check to make sure that you don’t have mascara trailing down your cheeks from the tears. And now you’ve got to deal with...the breast pump.