Lurker Question

muffyvonmuff

How quick are you ladys returning to work?...Im hoping to 1 month after baby is born to 2 days a week.  Some people say its too soon, just wondering your opions

llarkinburns

I returned full time at 8 weeks, which worked well for me. I had a third degree tear, so I only really started feeling normal at four weeks. I probably could have handled two days a week at that point. Not sure how you'd be feeling after a month if you had a c section though.

mandyroy

I am a teacher and had originally planned to return after 6 weeks, however once the 4 weeks went by I knew there was no way I was ready and decided to take a full 12 weeks off which brought me to the end of the school year! Now I get to spend all summer with my little one.

ninambutler

I couldn't have physically or emotionally. I had a section and didn't feel Ike myself until 8 weeks PP.

Kota26

I went back after 4 weeks to finish teaching before summer vacation. The reason I felt comfortable doing that was because my mom came to stay with us and watch LO during the day while I was gone. Without her help I would not have gone back so soon.

youenjoymyself

I go back next week. LO will be 13 weeks. I wish I had more time!!!

ShadyKull

I got my midwife to sign off on 12 weeks instead of the standard 8 for my work. I just couldn't imagine going back at 8 weeks, little guy was still so little and needed me. He still does of course, but he is much less "newborny". Plus, I only have to go back for 3 weeks before summer vacation starts (I work in a high school)!

Mmm79

I went back at 13 weeks, but DS will be home with family members for another month, then into daycare.

emisi

I go back June 10, after 12 weeks.  It's been nice, and we'll both be more ready for it.

mnj05

I'm a teacher and took 12 weeks off. I had to return last week for the last two weeks of school. For me, it wasn't hard leaving him, just hard returning to a stressful environment. DS is at daycare and when I pick him up, he's ready for a nap and ends up sleeping all evening/night so I hardly get any play time anymore.

lilbit255

I went back 2 days at 9 weeks then full time at 10 weeks. I had a csection and wasn't cleared by my dr to go back until 6 weeks. Physically I think I healed quickly but I wouldn't have been emotionally ready to go back at 4 weeks. It really depends on how you feel physically and emotionally. Only you will know if its the right time.

tilsonc

I didn't feel "normal" until about 6 weeks afterwards. I had a vag delivery. I would imagine it would be closer to 8 with a c-section. LO is not sleeping well at 4 weeks either so you would also be very tired if you did not have a lot of help from family. I would try to get a bit more time off if you can as you will want it. I went back afer 8 weeks or so (went back early) as I was ready to get back in the swing of things. I work remote so LO was about to stay with me and didn't have to start daycare any earlier so it worked out.

Andrea+David

mandyroy:

I am a teacher and had originally planned to return after 6 weeks, however once the 4 weeks went by I knew there was no way I was ready and decided to take a full 12 weeks off which brought me to the end of the school year! Now I get to spend all summer with my little one.

This almost exactly, although I'm not a teacher but support staff in an elementary school!

mhickey426

She just turned 2 months.  I would have had to go back when she 6 weeks but I had extra time off cause of easter break and sick days

 

aprilsarahjune

I went back at 8 weeks after a c/s and was ready.  (I did cry in the parking garage the first day, but I think that happens whenever you go back.)  I also have toddlers, so after the first 2 weeks of recovery, I was a busy full time mommy doing story hours, the zoo, the art museum, etc. The only reason I mention all that is that I was physically capable of working by a few weeks after delivery.  The extra weeks allowed me to bond with baby and to regulate my BF supply, prepare for pumping, etc. 

My best friend runs her own business and was back at it full time at 4 weeks.  She was miserable but she got through it and both she and baby are doing great (now 4 months).  If you don't have a choice but to go back to work, you will make it work (unless there is some sort of complication to your delivery - but you have no control over that possibility).