Postpartum recovery - Return to work well

Staying at home and returning to work both have their challenges as well as benefits. Before any assumptions are made, I think both roles are HARD WORK. Mommies… You rock, regardless!

In both instances you may experience distress due to the role transition. 

If you excelled at work or in the home pre-baby, the addition of your new little one will be a great adjustment and will surely expand the responsibilities of your current role. Even if either is a welcomed choice, it is a change, and even positive change can create distress due to the associations we may attach to the change.

Someone that is excited about returning to work may have conflicted feelings about being able to function at the same level as before and may experience guilt about not staying home. For a new mom who chooses to stay home, there could be excitement about staying home full time with their little one, but guilt about not providing income for the home or using their skills in the workplace. 

Two polar feelings can be swirling around at the same time; this is not uncommon.

Here are a few tips when returning to work:

1. Talk with your supervisor about the options for flexible working schedule. Can you return the first two weeks in a part time capacity? Are you able to have remote days? The worst they can say is no. They could provide options you haven’t thought of. Heck, they may say yes to all of your request. 
2. If you plan or choose to pump at work stream with your little one or watch videos while you do so. This could help with milk production. 
3. Most importantly. Give yourself grace. Just as a baby has to learn how to be in this world, when there is a birth of a baby, there is a birth of a mom. Give yourself time to learn new skills for your new role. 

Here are a few tips when staying home:

1. Working tends to create routine. Create your own at home routine. Now, with babies they like to pivot those quite a bit, but having a basic routine will aid in feeling stable. 
2. Get up, get dressed and possibly get out. There are tops of mom organizations, free events at the library or play dates that can help with creating normalcy with the new role. 
3. Most importantly. Give yourself grace. Just as a baby has to learn how to be in this world, when there is a birth of a baby, there is a birth of a mom. Give yourself time to learn new skills for your new role. 

If you find the distress with returning to work or transitioning to staying at home as overwhelming, it may be time to  speak to a counselor.

If unsure about speaking with a counselor, there are a few assessments that can take to guide you in understanding if there is a need. Click "Check Your Symptoms" in our menu to assess if your symptoms.