Mom@Work: Return to work after childbirth

Background

Many women experience health problems during the first year after childbirth. Common postpartum problems are fatigue, bowel problems, lack of sleep, postpartum depression, urinary incontinence, back pain and pelvic pain. These common physical and mental health problems can lead to sick leave and long-term sickness absence from work. It seems plausible that the supervisor can play a key role in preventing work disability by acting as a case-manager and stimulating earlier contact and involvement of the occupational physician during maternity leave.