Maternity Leave

When I was 39 weeks along with my first pregnancy, working full time nights at the hospital was getting to be too taxing on my body and I took maternity leave a week early. Of course I debated this decision, as I had no idea when I would go into labor. But after talking to my older sister who had two children, I decided it was the best thing to do. She told me this, “Take time off from work. This is the last time you will ever have physical and mental space again”. Nah, that couldn’t be true, could it? Well, turns out, she was right and it was the best advice I could have received.

I totally nested that week before Summer was born. I got a pedicure, spent time solo at the beach just listening to the hum of the waves, reading and contemplating how my life was about to change. Of course before you become a parent you really have no idea the amount of time and energy your children require. You think to yourself, it can’t be that hard. And then, they arrive and all at once you are consumed by their every need. And when you’re not with them you worry about them 24/7. So my sister Noelle was right to tell me to take the time. In America maternity leave is definitely not long enough. Some women are pressured to go back to work just four to six weeks after giving birth. In other countries like Sweden women get a full year of paid maternity leave. Imagine?! Even in Ireland you get six months full pay and can take another eight weeks of unpaid leave. I sometimes wonder why I didn’t just start our family over there with those perks. But the timing wasn’t right.  Still-- taking 12 weeks maternity leave was the best thing I ever did. Turns out I only had 11 weeks with my daughter but that week before she was born was amazing and knowing I could go into labor at any second, I made the most of every day.  So for those of you nearing the end of your first pregnancy, just take some time out for you. Believe me, you won’t regret it.

Be Well, 

LEW