Hi everyone, I am wondering if new mothers out there could give me some advice on when is feasible to go back to work after having the baby? I am due at the beginning of November and am not settled in a career right now as I am graduating from college next month. I do have a temp position and the company is looking to transfer me into a division related to my degree in the next few months.

First question, do I have to tell them about my pregnancy? My mom is a VP of the company which is why I have my position in the first place, but I am still worried I will be discriminated against once they find out I got pregnant so young, even though we have been engaged over a year now.

Also, my fiancee just got accepted into a graduate program and our finances will be very, very tight so I will need (and slightly want as I am excited to start a career) to go back to work soon after giving birth. We have tons of extended family and immediate family nearby so childcare isn't a major concern. My fiancee's odd hours working part-time and school will allow him to help out as well quite a bit.

How early did you go back to work and when did you feel you could? I am thinking 2 weeks, but my fiancee says 4-6 weeks minimum.

I think you will still be way too sore at 2 weeks. I went back at 6 weeks and thought that was rough. Before I had lo I was thinking 2 weeks as well, but 2 weeks came and I was SO sore still, I can't even imagine havi g to go back. Plus if you are planning on bfing, you will want 6 weeks to get that established.

I would not tell them about your pregnancy. I didn't tell my employer until after they hired me.

I planned 6 weeks, and it's a long story but I'm not going back until 9 months at least now. But I do have a few friends who have gone back at 2 weeks, for two of them it worked out (they were just sad leaving the LO's) and my other friend ended up quitting and has now been a SAHM for 2.5 years. It really is something you won't know until you're there, but I couldn't have done it. I would try for at least 6 weeks if you have to go back so soon.

Physically, I think you will be fine after a month unless you have sex for a living! I had a normal vaginal delivery with an episiotomy and I felt fine after 1-2 weeks. Even the next day I was doign things, just walking funny and in pain.

I have a career too and I worked till the last day so I could ahve as much time as possible with LO and so glad I did that! That allowed me 3 months with my baby and after the 3 months passed, I could not bear to leave her behind... you will understand once your baby is here and especially if you choose to breastfeed. I managed to work out a deal to work from home until my baby is 6 months old so I can breastfeed him. I have to go back soon to the office though and I am already freaking out! KIts very hard mentally, not physically. So prepare yourself mentally more so than physically if you are planning on going back so soon.

To be honest with you, your whole perspective on life changes once the baby arrives...

I was a cold, hard money-driven career obsessed woman before baby. I thought 3 months was extremelly long to have with the baby and was sure I'd be back at work doing 10 hours a day with no prolems, pop the baby in daycare and thats that.
Wronggg!!! Now I am seriosuly thinking of quitting my high-income, awesome job for the little guy. People who know me for a logn tiem cannot believe how much I've changed, but I figure time with my baby is priceless and cannot be made up for. Work will alwasy be there in one form or another, I can always go to work...

I think you should wait as long as you can. I felt great the day after I had my ds2. BUT that doesn't mean my body wasn't still healing. You normally will have lochia for 6 weeks, which can get heavier if you do too much work. Not to mention your baby needs to have some time with you, those first few weeks are very important. Give yourself some time and rest and heal as much as you can.

I personally think thats far too soon! I was planning on finishing my degree when he's 9 months but thats still too soon for me!

Personally there's absolutely no way I could have coped with that. I still couldn't cope with going back now. Unless you have an amazingly 'good' baby, you're gonna be sleep deprived, and (sorry not trying to scare you) some days you are likely to walk around in a zombie-like state coz you're tired. Which is hard as it is, but when u add into that having to be at work at a certain time every day AND function when you're there ... Well, I couldn't do it! Plus as other ladies have said your whole outlook changes and it would be a shame to miss your los babyhood. Work will always be there.

You say you don't want to tell work for fear of discrimination. I understand but it's a pretty big thing to hide tbh. How will they feel about you if they find out you've hidden such an important part of your life?

Not to mention if u have a bad birth/ c section you won't physically be ready.

I hope I don't sound too harsh, just giving my opinion. Lots of luck and pls enjoy your lo! x

I think babies still need their Mummies at that age.

I am a daycare provider and went back to having kids here after a few weeks. One of the moms of the babies I care for now went back to work as a paralegal 2 weeks after having her LO.

Personally i couldnt have gone back that soon. I couldnt have left my little baby! I still cant You will still be bonding, and getting to know your baby. its all new and overwhelming. i would focus on one thing at a time, and go back to work a bit later.