Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I hope I am posting this on the right board.....
Realistically....is it possible to return to work immediately following the birth of your child? Given you do not have any medical reasons to stay home and you have a family member who will be taking care of the baby everyday.
I am not TTC yet, but these are things I have to consider once I do start. I know that I have to continue working, which is fine with me, I am just wondering if I am being realistic. Is there a set amount of time that the doctor may want you be home with the baby given there are no complications and everyone is healthy?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Usually it is 6 weeks but my company gave me 12 weeks.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I'll have 9 weeks home after he's born, then I will return to work full time, only I'll be working from home 3 days a week in the city 2 days.

6 weeks are short term disability, 2 weeks my firm gives me and 1 week of vacation I have to take in order for my disability to kick in.

Message edited 11/6/2006 2:45:41 PM.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I have my own business, so I started working again 3 weeks after giving birth. I was taking appts part time until I returned full time at 6 weeks.

I have a flexible situation though, in that I can take Ella with me or leave her home with Al.

I think most of the time after delivery is intended for time with the baby, not your own recovery.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Thanks for all of your helpful feedback ladies!

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I think you will need a few weeks to recouperate (I know I botched that spelling...... )

I am taking off 12 weeks after my is born and I get 2 weeks prior to my due date off as well.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Actually it takes your uterus 6 weeks to go back to pre-pregnancy size which is why you are not supposed to work during that time. You at risk for infection and other medical issues at that time. Your body needs time to recover. Disability is NOT about the baby in this country. It is a medical recovery period for a mother.

I personally think it is hard to go back to a full-time office job prior to that and most doctors will not clear you to do either.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I worked from home the following week after giving birth. Had the baby on a Monday...the following Monday I was back at work.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I'm sure I'm not the norm but phsyically I felt OK ( i had a great birth) but mentally it took me 4 months to be ready to go back to work. My emotions were all over the place and I did not handle the sleep deprivation well at all. I realize not everyone has this option but I would take all the time you are allowed by your job. It's a huge thing physically and mentally. Your body just needs time to recover.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

When I found out I was pregnant, I also said - as soon as the 6 wks are up, I'm back to work... but then I found out I had some other options, so I may be able to take 8 weeks off after the baby is born, which makes me feel better about day care - I feel better knowing the baby will be 2 mts old instead of 6 wks old, for some reason.....

You'll see - its good to plan, but I am discovering that now is a time when we aren't in as much control as we thought we were!

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I have 6 weeks, then I will return alternating 2 days one week, 3 days the next in office - and the remainder of my hours will be from home since most of my job is done on the computer.

One of the days I go in, DH will take the day off - he is his own boss - and the remaining days I will need a sitter or daycare.

This is what we plan on doing, but I am sure a million things could change once the baby is born since I have no idea what to expect.

I hope this plan works out - keeping my salary would be ideal.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I will be home 12 weeks.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I will be home 12 weeks then its back to work.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

it is so nice to see that other people cannot be SAHM either. As much as i would like too be, financially we wont be able to do it and it seemed like from the posting on the parenting board that a lot of people were SAHM.
i plan on staying home like 4-5 months hopefully after giving birth and then back to work 3-4 days a week, my SIL went back to work after 6 weeks due to financial issues, but i have also heard to try and stay home for atleast the 6 weeks as its better for you and the baby

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

I will be home for 6 weeks if i deceide to do summer school if i don't then i will be home from April till September, we are wating to see the finacial situation then when the baby comes.

Re: Question for the Moms who will continue to work

WOW! You ladies are awesome! Thank you soooo much for all of your help. You have given me sooo many things to think about. I don't know when DH and I will begin TTC but I know there are alot of things to consider in the mean time.