Maternity Leave & Photography

[HotHolly]

So, I have surprise baby due this summer. SURPRISE! It was nice to know I wasn't insane, for crying at Duracell commercials. Anyway, I was trying to plan (ha ha ha) how long I'd be out for. If any photogs could share their shooting/ working experience with me - ya know, things to consider b4 and after baby is born - I would appreciate it.

[brad]

You'll get tired easy the last two months of the pregnancy.. unexpectedly.. you'll be fine one second then WHAM, you'll be out of breath all at once. Both my wife and several female photographers I've known kept working up to the day they went into labor without much trouble.

After the baby, depending on how easy delivery was, expect anywhere from a day or two to two weeks of not feeling like doing much of anything... you're life will be dominated by adjusting to the baby's schedule. Many women have it down well after two weeks... most by six weeks...

Knowing how driven you can be, I would expect you'll be stir crazy and ready to get back to "real" work after about 3 or 4 weeks.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by brad

...ready to get back to "real" work after about 3 or 4 weeks.

That's funny right there.

[mrsrice22]

Congrats! Is this your first? Are you in pretty good shape? Some women can bounce back pretty quickly and take to the new changes really well, other's need a bit more time. I'd say to play it safe take a break for at least 4 weeks or just do "easy" sessions and ease your way back into your full work load. Your recovery time not only depends on you but also on baby, if he/she is pretty easy and sleeps alot, consider yourself lucky. Otherwise, you may find yourself up all hours of the night with baby and not getting enough rest during the day if you have other things (work) to do.

Every woman, pregnancy, and baby are different, just go at your own pace and try to not pile too much on your plate.... unless you're type A personality then that's just what you crazies do! lol!

[Redneck]

Congratulations!

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by Redneck

Congratulations!

+1

Does this mean you will doing a maternity seminar?

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ka5txl

+1

Does this mean you will doing a maternity seminar?

LMAO! yeah, right! i dont get maternity photos.

[HotHolly]

brad, thanks for the advice. practical stuff like that helps. its been a while.

Originally Posted by brad

you'll be stir crazy and ready to get back to "real" work after about 3 or 4 weeks.

totally thought you were gonna say 3 to 4 hours.

this is baby #3. my last kid was born nearly 8 years ago. my memory of right before and right after is kinda crappy.

last baby was over 11 1/2 lbs. im hoping this one will be normal sized, and not a 15 lb turkey. my son was supposed to be 15lbs if he went to term. i suspect i wont be able to walk much 2-3 weeks prior. im not remembering the after the baby is born part very well.

[TXAvi8tor]

That's Mother Nature being merciful Read somewhere recently that on average, a parent loses 700 hours of sleep in the first year of their infant's life.

With a 4 month old,I'd say that's about right....

Oh, and btw, Congratulations!

[brad]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

brad, thanks for the advice. practical stuff like that helps. its been a while.



totally thought you were gonna say 3 to 4 hours.

I *thought* that... but typed weeks.

[reader0428]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

im not remembering the after the baby is born part very well.

That's God's way of making sure the human race continues to procreate. :)

[suerenee]

When I my girls were born I was teaching--which can be like photography--lots of time on your feet, dealing with hard personalities, lugging stuff around and long hours. I ended up on bed rest for the 4-5 weeks before they each were born so once I had the exorcism (felt like one, seriously) I was ready to jump up and go after they were born. I remember it all too well, perhaps that's why I said NO MORE after #2!

I would do a 4-5 week window on either side of your due date, minimum.

Congrats!

[WarrenG]

Congrats Holly!

[w9ctm]

Congrats Holly. Here's hoping it was a good surprise...........

[HotHolly]

thanks for the tips. :o)

a baby is always a good surprise. finding out a hobo lives in your car is a bad surprise... well, most of the time. :o)