According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women in the States are working later into their pregnancy and returning to the office soon after baby arrives.
Between 2006 and 2008, 82 percent of women worked up to a month of less before their child's birth, while that figure was just 73 percent between 1991 and 1995, 59 percent of whom returned within three months after birth between 2006 and 2008, compared to 57 percent between 1991 and 1994.
Interestingly, the research suggests that the reason for working late into pregnancy isn't strictly down to economics. Many women viewed their jobs as a long-term investment, and educated moms were most likely return to work full time.
The University of Warwick in the UK further found that women in senior or high-paying roles tended to go back sooner, or to abandon their career altogether due to lack of part-time work.
“Our nation remains mired in a conversation about whether mothers should work, but the reality is that most already do,” said economist at think tank Center for American Progress, Heather Boushey.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the level of workplace stress and flexibility directly affected a new mom's decision to stay or quit.
How late into your pregnancy did you work? How early did you return?
Printer-friendly version