Interviews two weeks after birth?

cmurray · May 2013

Is it realistic to think that I can at least start interviewing 2 weeks after birth (vaginal). I've been at home since month 5 and really would like to get back to work! I even started sending resumes with hopes of interview offers in 1-2 weeks. I am being induced on the 13th. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this.Ftm.

Runaway22 · May 2013

1. You might have a c/s.

2. Your interview clothes might not fit.

3. Sleep deprivation.

4. You deserve some downtime post-baby. For real. Hormones = crazy times 2 weeks PP.

But I guess it's not impossible.

thedash · May 2013

In the event you had a c section it would be a problem. I drove for the first time about 4 weeks after DS and still felt like sh.t.

catsinawindow · May 2013

I'll also add that if you are planning on BFing, BF babies often eat as often as every 1-2 hours in the first few weeks. You need to pump every time baby eats to maintain your supply and pumping every hour during an interview isn't practical. I wouldn't have been able to interview that early post-partum (for this reason and others that PP mentioned.)

LoCarb · May 2013

Physically I was ok at wk 2 post delivery-I was induced both times. However, I don't think I would be 'sharp' for an interview as another time. But honestly, I wouldn't be sharp for an interview the first yr of NB b/c I was really sleep deprived.

It's not impossible. Preparation is key.

gingerfamily · May 2013

Runaway22:

1. You might have a c/s.

2. Your interview clothes might not fit.

3. Sleep deprivation.

4. You deserve some downtime post-baby. For real. Hormones = crazy times 2 weeks PP.

But I guess it's not impossible.

this.

FemShep · May 2013

Can you? Probably, although there's no way of knowing what kind of delivery you'll have, what complications you may experience, and how your baby will be.

Should you? Nope. I sympathize, I really do. I started informational interviews about 4 or 5 weeks after DD2 was born. Looking back, it's obvious I was nowhere near as sharp as I should, or could, have been. It was also very stressful to have to find places to pump, to worry about whether I had enough milk stocked, I was uncomfortably engorged, and I hated leaving LO that young.

As someone who's been there, give it at least 6 weeks, 8 if you can swing it.

honeybee111 · May 2013

I agree with everyone else - not impossible, but I'd definitely not be in prime interviewing mode. I had a csection and was barely cleared to drive at 2 weeks.

FemShep · May 2013

One other thing-I just noticed you're having a scheduled induction 2 weeks before your due date. So you're planning to go out for interviews right when your baby would be at 40w, normally.

Even 2 weeks early, babies have a significantly higher rate of complications. It's not out of the question that your baby may have an extended hospital stay. Give yourself a few extra weeks. Truly, you won't regret it.

Brit's Luna154 · May 2013

LibraryChica:
It really depends. There is just no way to know how you will feel 2 weeks PP. I had an easy, vaginal birth and was fine, physically, pretty much right after. Emotionally I was a bit of a mess for quite a bit and definitely sleep deprived. That said, I feel like I could have pulled it together for an interview if I'd had to. ETA: people I know who have been induced had much longer recovery time. Just something to consider.

x2

CADE387 · May 2013

I was induced with DS as well. I was still sitting on a doughnut at 2 weeks PP. Just sayin'

I think others on here have given you good advice.

cecilyandgautam · May 2013

If you have a vaginal delivery, you might make it out the door and even be on time to the interview, but you probably wouldn't kickass in the interview.

But, be ware that you're chances of ending up with a c-section are higher because you're being induce. In your situation, I wouldn't assume that I'll be up & about 2 weeks, or even 4 weeks, postpartum. I was still taking Rx pain meds 2 weeks after my c-section and those meds made me loopy - I couldn't even remember when I had last taken my meds. I was still crying for at least half an hour every day and I was in physical pain most of the time, either from the surgery or from breastfeeding. And I supposedly had an "easy" recovery.

Also, if you'll be breastfeeding, it's very likely you will leak like mad the first time you're away from your baby.

So, imagine interviewing while you're still in your maternity clothes, physically in pain, on the verge of tears for no apparent reason, and milk is leaking out of you while you try to answer a hard ball question. You might survive the interview, but probably you won't give that kickass impression you otherwise would.

NicoleWI · May 2013

Not impossible; definitely not desireable. You will feel awkward, look like a mess, and probably be sleep deprived. Just coordinating getting to and from the interview could be very difficult to figure out if you are breastfeeding. Some newborns eat every 2 hours, and they aren't on a "schedule" so the timing can be tough. You'd have to introduce bottles really early and you don't know how that would go.

whynotwhynot · May 2013

Tricky--waiting can cause you to miss out on opportunities, but trying too soon can cause you to not make the best impression. For positions that you think you will quickly be filled could you submit your resume and if you get a response explain your situation to HR and inquire about doing an initial phone interview or being one of the last people interviewed? At my workplace the hiring process takes awhile and I could see this giving you some cushion to recover.

cmurray · May 2013

Ok thanks for the many responses! I guess I should just slow my roll! I probably won't want to think about work after I see those chubby cheeks anyway.My plan as the pp said was to start interviews in 2-3 weeks and let them know my situation.I figured the hiring process normally with the companies I apply to take about a month to complete,but thanks for the advice.i think I will just start sending resumes in July.

emberlee3 · May 2013

CADE387:
I was still sitting on a doughnut at 2 weeks PP. Just sayin'

I think others on here have given you good advice.

This. I wasn't induced with DS but had a bad 3rd degree tear and could not sit for weeks. With DD, I had a c/s and felt great, but clothing choices were hard because it was painful to have anything touch my incision. Not sure I could have put together an interview-appropriate outfit that I could tolerate wearing at 2 weeks PP.

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