The Untold Realities of Being a New Working Mom

Life as a new working mom is tough—really tough.

While many assume maternity leave is a career break filled with rest and relaxation, the reality is far from it. Your whole world shifts the moment your baby arrives, and returning to work feels like climbing a mountain barefoot. You’re not just picking up from where you left off at work—you’re balancing a completely new set of priorities, responsibilities, and emotional changes, all while trying to remember who you are in the midst of it all.

For me, the journey has been lonely at times and filled with both visible and invisible struggles. I experienced post-traumatic stress from an emergency cesarean and continued to battle postpartum depression even six months later. The physical changes didn’t help either—hair loss, hormonal shifts, the constant exhaustion and falling ill. Balancing relationships with your spouse, family, or friends becomes a challenge too, when your energy is so thinly stretched.

Breastfeeding was another major stressor. The pressure to produce milk, the heartbreak of low supply, and the never-ending pumping sessions left me drained. Throw in a colic baby who cries for hours, and sleep deprivation reaches new levels. It’s overwhelming. And yet, we keep going.

Here are a few tips that helped me cope, and I hope they’ll support you too:

1. Find Your Support Circle

Not everyone has help at home, and that’s okay. But try to seek out some form of support—whether it's your spouse, family, a friend, a colleague, or even a neighbor. If those aren't available, look for communities (online or offline) that understand what you're going through. Just having someone who gets it can make a world of difference.

2. Take it One Step at a Time at Work

When you return to your job, there will likely be a backlog waiting for you. Don’t panic. Start small—pick up from where you left off, or jump into where things are now. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You’ve just done something incredible: you brought a life into this world.

3. Let Go of the Small Stuff

Hormonal changes will test you emotionally and mentally. Give yourself grace. Some days you won’t be able to get everything done—and that’s okay. Your well-being and your family come first. Learn to let the small things slide, and remember we are all human - being a first time mom, it's ok not to be ok or perfect.

4. Seek Professional Help if You Need It

Therapy, medication, or even just talking to someone trained to help can be a lifeline. There’s no shame in getting help—it’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

5. Reclaim What You Love

Whether it’s your favorite food, a hobby, or simply going for a walk, start to reintroduce the things that brought you joy before pregnancy. Little by little, these actions can help rebuild your sense of self.

6. Shift Your Perspective

Your priorities have changed—and that’s okay. Work is still important, but it no longer defines you. Set boundaries that protect your mental and physical recovery. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to put yourself and your family first.

To every new working mom out there: I see you, I feel you, and you’re not alone. The journey is hard, but it’s also filled with moments of beauty, strength, and transformation. You are doing better than you think.

If this message resonates with you or someone you know, feel free to share it. Sometimes, knowing someone else understands is all we need to keep going.