Thinking of extending my maternity leave

[fibeee]

I had planned to do a staggered return to work at the end of September when my baby is 6 months old. It’s been looming over me for awhile and today I just broke down thinking about it.

My DD was born a few days after lockdown. I had a difficult recovery from an EMCS and my mental health was in a bad place with being a FTM and having to cope on my own due to Covid restrictions. Tbh I feel like I’m just getting into the swing of motherhood now.

September feels too close and I’m not ready. On top of that we’re dealing with the 4 month sleep regression and DD has also started refusing bottles (now EBF). I’m exhausted and the thought of trying to do a day’s work in a stressful job just fills me with anxiety and dread.

All I want to do is contact HR tomorrow and kick this can down the road for a few months. Am I being reasonable? Or is this how every working mother feels before returning to work?

I extended mine when lockdown started as was worried about finding childcare and it just felt too soon. Dont regret it one bit. Theyre not little long. If you can afford to then why not

Contact HR and do it.

I gave birth in may

I was undecided about length of maternity leave initially but because of lockdown il be taking the full allowance now

I’ve also extended mine. We are fortunate that we can, just about, afford it, and I wanted to do more with DD as lockdown was a really stressful time in this house.

I should add that, like you OP, I also wondered whether this was just normal return to work jitters. I suppose there is no way of knowing as a FTM. But nothing about right how is “normal” and, if you can, I’d do it and enjoy the time.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I feel much better now about contacting HR to discuss this.

It would be hard going but I think I could just about afford to postpone returning until the New Year.