Choosing to Leave Work in the Second Trimester – Points to Consider

Leaving work permanently after you become pregnant is a life-changing decision. For some women, this has always been the plan. If this describes you, your choice is likely to be the result of planning and reflects your values, so leaving work will be right for you.

Points to consider
If you are considering leaving work for the first time, bear in mind the following factors. You will lose the companionship of your associates, the financial security and freedom that your income provides, and the regularity of a daily schedule. If you get a strong sense of identity from your career role, this will also be lost. Being a full-time mom might not suit you, and you may be happier in the long term if you continue to work, part-time if not full-time. If possible, wait until you are on maternity leave to make the final decision so that you can try out life at home with a baby 24 hours a day. You may find it is not what you expected.

It’s your decision
Sometimes, the decision to leave or stay at work is a result of pressure from other people. Some men encourage their partners to give up work so that they themselves can concentrate fully on their own careers without making compromises because of childcare considerations. Similarly, some women who would rather stay at home with their children feel they must return to work for financial reasons since their partner has a fun but poorly paid job that he is unwilling to give up. Make sure this is your own choice and that you’ve made it rationally.