Going back to work after childbirth : women's lived experiences.

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the experiences of first-time mothers who returned to work after paid maternity leave. The objective of the study was to explore the challenges new mothers faced during the transition of having a baby, taking fourteen weeks of paid maternity leave and then move on to re-enter the workforce. The qualitative paradigm was used to conduct the study by using a semi-structured interview schedule at three different phases throughout the experience: prior re-entry at around 12 weeks, immediate re-entry at 16 weeks and again at 20 weeks following childbirth that is, 6 weeks after re-entry into the workforce. The interview guide was specifically designed for the purpose of the study. Ten women were chosen to participate in this study by purposive sampling. All participants took part in the three phases of the interviews which were audio-recordered. Ethical issues were taken into consideration and prioritised. The theoretical framework used to guide this thesis included phenomenology, transitional theory as described by van Gennep (1960) and feminism. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as described by Smith, Flowers and Larkin (2009) was used for the analysing phase. The resulting three super-ordinate themes identified how after childbirth maternity leave is 'a time of preparation and planning ahead' followed by a period when 'lightening strikes on rejoining the workforce' and 'weathering the storm' via an attempt to balance work and family life. This study identified the struggles and triumphs these mothers encountered during their transition back to work following childbirth. Findings showed that while society encourages mothers to return to work after the birth of their children, few attempts have acutally been made to support them during this delicate transition. This study recognises the dire need to research this phenomenon as it is of crucial importance in our society. It identifies the need to improve local policy with regards to family-friendly measures and the importance of an increase in local maternity leave duration. Moreover, the midwife was identified as an important figure who can help empower mothers and prepare them for what is yet to come. Mothers showed an interest in courses that would help them in their transition to gainful work. Hence, this study recommends the introduction of such courses within the parentcraft education programme.

Keywords: Mother's employment, women's lived experiences, transition to parenthood, women's career issues, social support, midwives' role.