Returning to work

Having to go back
Your decision about when to return to work may be governed by what you're entitled to, which if you're employed is likely to be anything between 26 and 52 weeks, though you're not necessarily entitled to any payment during any of this. (For more information on your maternity rights, click here.) If you're self-employed of course, you won't be getting any extra money while you're off work. The temptation can be to think that you need to get back to work as soon as possible, but even though there may be a pressing economic imperative, going back to work after having a baby may not be as easy as you'd imagined.

Your responsibilities will be greater for one thing - are you confident that you can manage the balance between work and home? If your job is one that you can do at least partly from home, it might be worth trying to reorganise your work patterns so that you can get a bit more done without having to go into the office. Even so, your hours will need to be flexible, especially in the early days - looking after a baby isn't really something that will fit into a schedule.

Stay at home dad
It's possible that your partner may be prepared to stay at home so you can go back to work early. This can be great, especially if mum's the principle bread winner. But while it may be practical, there are the emotional aspects to consider. Physically leaving her baby every day can be tough on the mother too, especially when the child very small, and the little voice shouting over the noise of practicality could become overbearing. However, if both of you can arrange to work part-time you can share the responsibilities and pleasures of work and home and many parents find that this can be the best option.

Baby care
If your workplace has its own crèche, then chances are that you're more likely to consider a return to work early. But whether you can make use of a crèche at work, or you're considering an independent nursery or a childminder or nanny, you'll need to satisfy yourself that you're happy with the level of care being offered. Don't leave it to the last minute either; visit and ask questions, and if you have any doubts, look somewhere else - you won't need the extra stress of worrying whether your baby is being adequately cared for when you return to work.

Relatives are an excellent way of helping you return to work. You'll trust them, they're generally flexible, and of course, the price tends to be the best you'll get anywhere. However, don't just expect them to rush to help - in many ways it can be more stressful to look after someone else's child than your own, so be sure talk about what you might expect from them, to ensure it doesn't come as a shock later. Remember too, that if your baby has any health issues, you may need more time at home, or extra help from relatives.

Make a change
Despite a greater understanding among employers, and improvements in legislation to create flexible working times, nobody ever said that combining a baby and work is easy. Despite the planning, the need to earn money and even their long-term career plans, many new mums realise that they'd rather stay at home - at least for a while longer than they first anticipated. If this turns out to be the case, it's a good idea to have a back-up plan.

You may want to have a chat with your company's HR department to arrange flexible working hours or even swap roles (you can do this even while you're on maternity leave). Companies aren't necessarily obliged to honour requests of this sort but they are legally obliged to hear them, and must have a good reason for turning them down. If you or your child develop a health problem for example, there may be a more compelling case for your company to rethink your obligations. And it's worth remembering that pilot Jessica Starmer won a sex discrimination case against her employer British Airways in April 2005 in which she was allowed to reduce her flying hours so she could spend more time with her baby.

Giving it up
Giving up work altogether can seem very attractive, especially in the early months of parenthood, but there could be a hidden emotional price to pay. Are you ready to be financially dependent on your partner, possibly for the first time? If you've been used to making your own way in life, it can feel quite debilitating if you are forced to rely on someone else, and you may miss the feeling of independence that earning your own living gives you. You may also miss the social aspects of work - cute as they are, tiny tots generally make poor raconteurs and a lack of adult conversation can be a bind, especially if most of your friends are still working. For more info on the pleasures and pains of being a full-time parent, click here. Ultimately of course, you'll need to make up your own mind about when and how you go back to work. Everyone's different, but speaking to friends, work colleagues and other mums will help you make the decision that's right for you.