It Helps Mothers and Babies Maintain Optimal Health
Of course, with the time off, mothers can recover without the added physical and mental stress from work.
The review also stated that maternity leave has a “direct correlation in decreased child and infant mortality rate.’ This could be because availing maternity leave gives mothers time to bring their children to the doctor for check-ups and immunization shots.
Disadvantages of Returning to Work Immediately After Giving Birth
After discussing the benefits of maternity leave, let’s talk about the risk of going back to work soon after giving birth.
The most immediate concern is the mother’s health. After delivering the baby, the mother still experiences pain and the risk of bleeding is still present. Additionally, mothers are often exhausted due to sleep deprivation concerning taking care of a newborn that needs frequent feeding.
Going back to work so soon after childbirth can increase the risk of bleeding, infection, and re-hospitalization. For this reason, doctors often require mothers to rest for 6 weeks before working again. Of course, if mothers experienced complications, these 6 weeks should be extended.
Another disadvantage of returning to work so soon is that mothers may have a constant feeling of guilt. They feel as though they are not doing enough for their baby or they feel guilty that they are not spending enough time with them. The guilt might be worse when mothers are not sure about the quality of childcare their baby receives while they are away.
Key Takeaways
Maternity leave has proven to be an essential part of ensuring both the physical and mental health of mother and child. With these days that moms are free of work, they can take their time to recuperate and bond with their newborns.
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