What If Maternity Leave Wasn’t a Pause— But a Power Move?

Let’s talk about maternity leave. Not the kind we see in corporate policy PDFs or whispered about behind office doors— but the lived experience. The messy, beautiful, disorienting, identity-altering kind of leave that deserves way more attention and way more respect.

When most people think of maternity leave, they picture a pause. A break. A woman stepping away from her “real” life to go do baby things for a few weeks or months. Then she comes back— hopefully showered—and picks up where she left off.

But here’s the truth: maternity leave isn’t just a pause. It’s not a timeout from your career, your growth, or your ambition. It’s actually one of the most transformational seasons of your entire life. And it deserves to be treated that way.

THE INVISIBLE GROWTH NO ONE TALKS ABOUT

There’s something sacred about this season. In the stillness, in the sleep deprivation, in the quiet moments of rocking and feeding and being— it’s like your entire sense of self starts to shift. You don’t even realize it at the time because you’re naturally outwardly focused and deep in the midst of caregiving. But when you take the time to prioritize self-care, surround yourself with support, and plan ahead for maternity leave, you can navigate this transition with more confidence and clarity.

If we treat maternity leave like an inconvenient detour from productivity, we strip it of its power. We make women feel like they have to rush back, prove their worth, and pretend nothing’s changed—when in fact, a lot has changed.

FOR THE WOMEN STANDING AT THE EDGE

If you’re pregnant or planning to be, and you’re looking at maternity leave like this big question mark or even a threat to your momentum— I want you to know it can be so much more.

You don’t have to shrink during this season. You don’t have to disappear. You can grow deeper roots. You can come back clearer, stronger, more aligned.

But you deserve support before, during, and after. You don’t need more pressure or Pinterest checklists. You need a plan that respects your identity, your needs, and your vision for both your family and your future.

A REFLECTION TO TRY

There is one question that I ask all my coaching clients months before maternity leave is in sight. I'd like to offer you a moment to reflect. Ask yourself this:

If I could choose one word that I'd like for my maternity leave to represent, what would it be?

Don’t worry about how yet. Just imagine yourself at home, your baby in your arms. You’ve been waiting months, maybe years, for this moment. How do you feel? How do you want to feel?

Setting your intention can begin with just one word.

FOR LEADERS WHO WANT TO FOSTER GROWTH

If you lead a team and want to truly support women through maternity leave— not just legally, but humanely and strategically—here’s what you should know: this is not a sideline chapter in their story. This is an identity shift that, with the right support, can turn them into even stronger contributors.

The way you approach maternity leave matters:

• Create space for open conversations before, during, and after leave.

• Frame leave as a life event with the potential for growth, rather than just something to cover for- it may require shifting your own mindset around leave.

• Encourage planning that includes emotional and identity reintegration, not just workflow transitions.

• Consider coaching or programs that offer genuine support, because your team member will come back stronger and even more valuable.

  
  

Instead of saying, “You haven’t missed much,” try saying, “We’re so glad to have you back. We’re here to support you because you’re a valuable part of the team.”

Because maternity leave can be a powerful move— for her, and for your whole organization.

This isn’t about choosing between motherhood and career. It’s about rewriting the narrative. And that starts with seeing the truth: Maternity leave isn't just a pause. It’s a sacred time to honor the human experience of parenthood and all that it means both personally and professionally for years to come.

Anisha Pandya Patel, Founder of MasalaMommy

Anisha is pregnancy and postpartum coach, corporate well-being consultant, author of Expecting: A Pregnancy Journal, and founder of MasalaMommy. She helps ambitious women navigate early motherhood with confidence, care, and connection—blending holistic wisdom with real-life experience. Through coaching, content, and consulting, she supports both individuals and organizations in creating healthier transitions for working parents. When she’s not working, she’s raising three boys and embracing the beautiful, messy balance of parenting and purpose.

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