Postpartum return to work: mothering stress, anxiety, and gratification.

Over half of mothers with infants less than 1 year old are employed, yet there is limited research examining the early parenting experiences of these women. The purpose of this study was to examine maternal gratification, stress, and separation anxiety, in relation to employment patterns and selected health-status indicators, of women returning to work during the first postpartum year. Data were gathered from 142 employed, well-educated, partnered, predominantly Caucasian women at 1, 4, and 8 months postpartum, using a mailed questionnaire. Their parenting experiences improved throughout the first postpartum year. While depression and fatigue were associated with greater parenting stress and anxiety, as well as a decreased sense of gratification from parenting, few women experienced these symptoms at clinically significant levels. Employment patterns were unrelated to parenting stress or gratification. These findings can be used by clinicians when counselling women regarding the decision to return to work after childbirth.