Financial pressures hit some so hard they can’t afford maternity leave

FINANCIAL stress is forcing new mums to return to the workforce early with research suggesting one in five skip maternity leave entirely because they can’t afford it.

FINANCIAL stress is forcing new mothers to return to work early, and research suggests one in five don’t take ­maternity leave at all because they can’t afford it.

Financial difficulty causes half of working parents to return to work sooner than they would like after a birth and a disturbing number to skimp on their own healthcare by forgoing medicine or insurance.

The proportion of women in the workforce is at its highest level of 60.4 per cent.

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A recent national online survey commissioned by Huggies quizzed 1019 parents who had at least one child aged five or younger.

It found that for one in four families, having a child drove them into debt or increased their existing debt.

And financial strain forced more than half to go without.

Of those tightening their belts, a third said they had sacrificed their own healthcare, while 16 per cent had cut back on health insurance.

Tracy and James Lay made spending changes before having Harper, 6 months. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Tracy and James Lay started preparing early financially so she could take 12 months' maternity leave. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Tracy Lay and her husband, James, of Mentone, began saving early so that she could comfortably take 12 months’ maternity leave when Harper was born six months ago.

“It came down to a lot of planning. We have worked hard over the last few years to save money to prepare,” said Mrs Lay, 36.

“(We did) things like going out for breakfast less, and spending less on clothes.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said of their sacrifices. “The love you feel for your child is like no other.”

Financial adviser and owner of The Fiscal Mum Rebecca Maher said returning to work after a baby was a difficult period. She suggested trying to live on a single income before a child’s arrival.

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