Can maternity leave be extended if recovery takes longer?

Extensions depend on workplace policies. Some organisations allow additional leave through medical certificates, but it may be unpaid.

Is maternity leave paid for all jobs in India?

Not all. While formal sector jobs often adhere to the law, many informal jobs do not provide paid leave, creating financial stress for new parents.

How can you cope with maternity leave struggles?

Coping strategies include seeking family support, planning finances early, maintaining realistic expectations, and practising self-care wherever possible.

Do all new mums face the same struggles?

Not exactly. Experiences vary depending on factors such as health, family support, financial stability, and workplace environment. However, many challenges are shared across different contexts.

Maternity Leave Struggles: Coping with Exhaustion and Work Anxiety

When maternity leave begins, you picture tranquil days with your baby, unwavering family support, and ample rest. Reality often contrasts sharply. The transition to parenthood is filled with love, but also introduces daunting new responsibilities and unexpected challenges.

1. Sleep Becomes a Luxury

You imagine catching naps with your baby, but reality is far from it.

Night feeds mean your sleep is broken into short, fragmented periods.
Even when the baby sleeps, your mind often stays alert.
Recovery from childbirth makes quality rest even more important, but it is also harder to achieve.

Sleep deprivation affects mood, patience, and even physical healing. The struggle is real when balancing self-care with a newborn’s unpredictable schedule.

2. Financial Pressure Adds Stress

While India now provides up to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave in many sectors, not everyone is eligible for this benefit.

Some workplaces still do not meet the mandated duration.
In informal jobs, leave may be unpaid or shorter than needed.
Escalating medical bills, baby necessities, and household expenses accumulate rapidly.

Financial stress can overshadow the joy of early parenthood, making it essential to plan ahead wherever possible.

3. Work-Related Anxiety Creeps In

Maternity leave is meant to free your mind from professional worries. Yet, thoughts about work rarely pause.

You may worry about being replaced or forgotten in your role.
Projects left unfinished before leaving can haunt your thoughts.
The idea of rejoining after being away for months feels daunting.

This anxiety can make you check emails or stay in touch with colleagues even when you wish to disconnect entirely.

4. Physical Recovery Takes Longer Than Expected

Childbirth is a significant physical event. Whether it was a vaginal birth or a caesarean, recovery is often longer and more challenging than expected.

Pain, soreness, or stitches take time to heal.
Breastfeeding can cause discomfort, such as cracked skin or swelling.
Energy levels fluctuate, making daily routines challenging.

Balancing recovery while caring for your baby requires patience and gentle self-compassion.

5. Emotional Rollercoaster Becomes Routine

You may expect joy, but often forget about the hormonal and emotional shifts that come with childbirth.

Mood swings may leave you confused and drained.
Feeling isolated despite family support is common.
Guilt arises when you struggle to feel happy.

These emotions are natural but often go unspoken. Recognising them as part of the process helps in coping.

6. Social Expectations Feel Overwhelming

In India, family and community play a significant role in early parenthood. While support is welcome, expectations can weigh you down.

Advice comes from every direction, often conflicting.
Pressure to perform cultural rituals soon after birth may feel exhausting.
Relatives may expect constant hosting, even when you need rest.

Navigating social expectations becomes one of the unspoken struggles of maternity leave.

7. Time for Yourself Disappears

During maternity leave, your schedule revolves around your baby. Self-care often slips away.

Simple tasks like taking a shower or eating on time feel like luxuries.
Hobbies and interests take a back seat for months.
You may long for quiet moments, but struggle to find them.

This lack of personal time adds to feelings of fatigue and disconnection.

8. Guilt Becomes a Constant Companion

Every decision feels weighed down by guilt during maternity leave.

You feel guilty for resting while others help.
You feel guilty wishing for moments away from your baby.
There’s also guilt when you don’t enjoy every moment of leave.

Guilt is a common emotional burden that lingers unless you remind yourself that caring for yourself equals better care for your baby.

9. Rejoining Work Becomes a Worry

As the end of maternity leave approaches, a new wave of worry arrives.

Concerns about balancing work and childcare grow stronger.
Thoughts of leaving the baby in someone else’s care feel overwhelming.
Resuming your professional pace after a prolonged absence can seem overwhelming.

This transition is one of the most challenging aspects of maternity leave.

10. Identity Feels Redefined

Perhaps the biggest struggle is the change in identity. You may have stepped into a completely new role overnight.

Old routines no longer fit your life.
Priorities shift, leaving career and personal goals temporarily blurred.
You may long for the version of yourself that felt more unburdened before.

Adjusting to this new identity takes time, but it also opens doors to growth and resilience.
Maternity leave is often painted as a period of rest and bonding. In reality, it brings struggles that test patience, strength, and balance. From sleepless nights and financial worries to emotional swings and identity shifts, every new mum experiences challenges that are both real and valid.
Remember, these struggles are part of a larger journey that also brings immense joy and love. The key is to acknowledge them, seek support when needed, and allow yourself the grace to adjust. Maternity leave may be challenging, but it is also transformative, shaping you in ways you will one day look back on with pride.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on From Sleepless Nights to Work Anxiety: Real Maternity Leave Struggles

Can maternity leave be extended if recovery takes longer?
Extensions depend on workplace policies. Some organisations allow additional leave through medical certificates, but it may be unpaid.
Is maternity leave paid for all jobs in India?
Not all. While formal sector jobs often adhere to the law, many informal jobs do not provide paid leave, creating financial stress for new parents.
How can you cope with maternity leave struggles?
Coping strategies include seeking family support, planning finances early, maintaining realistic expectations, and practising self-care wherever possible.
Do all new mums face the same struggles?
Not exactly. Experiences vary depending on factors such as health, family support, financial stability, and workplace environment. However, many challenges are shared across different contexts.