how soon after birth have you gone back to work?

[scubamum2b]

I have several contract work, and one that I have done for many years (that also pays very well and I enjoy) would be about a month after my due date. My husband gets very generous paternity leave that could cover this period to look after baby.

Is it possible, physically and emotionally, to return to work for a short period of time (approx 3 or 4wks) so soon after giving birth.

As you probably guessed this will be my first child, so your comments are welcome

scubamum2be - you sound like I must have before dd was born. I was about to start a fabulous new job when I found out I was pregnant. I was absolutely convinced I would be able to do stuff at home while I was on maternity leave.
She is now 3 weeks old and NOTHING could prepare me for how I would feel after she was born!!
I am completely in love.
Last week we went to visit a nursery for September. To my absolute horror I cried!!! I was mortified at the idea of letting her out of my sight!
The truth is you don't know how you are going to feel. Maybe you will be up to it, more than likely you won't but atleast give yourself a chance to make that choice - afterall, you will deserve it!!

I think you may find it very very difficult to do so soon after giving birth, especially if it's deadline work. I was convinced I could breeze back to work after 6 weeks (my work is very target-driven and pressured) - the reality is very different! I found I couldn't countenance the idea, even working from home. I'm starting back after 16 weeks instead, and sticking with 3 half days for a while.I've only recently begun to feel vaguely human again. Luckily my boss is a recent dad of two who had an inkling I might change my mind about when to go back!
I'd say if you have any doubts about whether you'll feel up to it, don't put added pressure on yourself and hold off for a while. If you go for it, hats off to you and good luck!

Mrs Doolittle - I cried when I interviewed my first childminder! Scubamum, personally, I'd avise you make no promises until your baby is born. YOu have literally NO idea how you will feel until then. You might feel fine about it, or you might feel terrible.

I went back part time after 5 months and full time after 9 months. DD 2 now and a sociable person used to being with all types of people. I still wish I could work part time and be with her. I would love the opportunity to see how she acts at her music group and stuff like that. On the otherhand have a great mum who does that for me and fills me in on every little detail. tbh after the emergency section birth and iron tablets and everything else 5 months was just about right. I ended up resigning from a particularly stressful job also after birth something I would never have considered doing pre birth. All the best whatever you decide,,,,,,

hi i work as nurse so went back went my 18wks was up basically after 4mths didn,t want 2 go back any soon .

isn,t 3-4 wks far 2 soon?what,s hrs and days would u do?they need their mom a lot the 1st few mths

money isn,t everything

I had to return full time within 2 days following the birth of the first and 8 days after the second (17 months apart), with over an hour's journey each way with screaming babies to drop off to mum's. I would love to have had the chance to have even 2 weeks off without worries and pressures of work and was left very bitter. I was up 6 - 8 times a night with no.1 and they never slept thru until almost 5 years old. I realised after we sold the company when the children were older how physically and mentally demanding it all was as I was felt unable to venture out of the house for 6 weeks when I was given the freedom of staying at home. Working with all blokes too didn't help as no one ever even asked how I was! I reckon if you have to do it you can manage most things, but given the chance I'd recommend staying at home at least 2 months.