I returned to work when my baby was 4 months old.
Initially, it was difficult to balance between home and office. She didn't used to sleep at night, staying awake till 4 am or 5 am and I had to stay up with her. In the morning, I had to do some household chores also. I would massage and bathe her, and then leave for the office.
The schedule is still the same but now, she sleeps at night. Plus, my bones also hurt and I still get headaches. My eyes got weak after getting back to work – and a number of other health issues popped up.
After a normal delivery, the body takes and demands a lot of time to heal. I work for 9 hours i.e. 9:30-6:30. My office has given me an hour during the day to go home for my daughter. We also get one hour for lunch. So basically, I spend two hours at home during my work hours.
Luckily, my office understands my condition – so whenever I want to work from home, they approve it.
After a baby, the schedule is hectic and you don't get time for yourself. You have to complete the tasks given by your manager and equally devote time to the family.
People should understand that, after a baby, a new mother needs time to settle down. But working after a baby is an important thing. According to me, a woman should not depend on anyone.
That is how a child learns from a mother to live independently.
(Saumya Dubey has sent her blog to The Quint as part of our series of stories about India’s working women.)
(The Quint is trying to investigate what makes it easier or harder for women to be at the workplace. Can she return to work after a maternity leave with equal support from workplace and home? Does she carry the guilt of being away from her children while at work, and vice-versa? Even with or without baby, does the family share household responsibilities with her? Share your story, if you have one to tell, and we’ll publish it.)
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