It's working for Deepa P
Cincinnati, OH
1 child
“Everything (good and bad) is temporary, asking for help is okay, don’t over analyze, go with your gut instincts.”
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
More than one, but if I had to pick, it would be the first one: everything (good and bad) is temporary, asking for help is okay, don’t over analyze, go with your gut instincts.
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
I found out that I was pregnant a couple of days before I was supposed to fly out to meet my boss in another city for a conference. I had a very good relationship with him, so I was comfortable with giving him the news on that trip. I didn’t even think twice about it since I didn’t envision any issues related to my work life. He was a great manager and always very supportive.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I took 3 months. I was working with Farmers Insurance at the time and I believe maternity leave was covered under short term disability (I hate that they call it that). So the first few days were covered under PTO (paid time off), then you get full pay for the next 5 or 6 weeks, and then a lesser percentage for the rest of the time. I can’t remember all the details, but I know that it wasn’t fully paid. I was luckier than a lot of women since I was working from home at the time, so I got to see Anjali during breaks and lunch time. We had a nanny that would watch her during the day. Getting back to work was really tough, I found it hard to be focused when I didn’t get much sleep at night. But it definitely got better around the 5 month mark, once Anjali started sleeping for at least five straight hours a night.
When did the “new normal” set in for you?
Everything that I thought was going to be tough, was tough (I blame all the reading I did to prepare myself!) …except for one thing – I do think Anjali fell into a nighttime routine easier than I thought she would. I had all these sleep training books, but didn’t really have to do much to get her to sleep at least five hours a night from around the 5 month mark.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My husband and my mother were very supportive. I don’t really remember indulging myself … or perhaps I blocked it out! Pregnancy and the infant months are somewhat of a blur to me.