Spotlight: "Mommie-2-B"- *Prerna*

"Kids don’t need a lot of things they need to be loved and cared"

I am super excited to kickoff my "spotlight" campaign; highlighting 12 different Mommies over the next year! These Young Workin' Mommies are awesome and have such compelling stories, I had to get them involved with YWM. 

My first Mommie is Mommie-2-Be Prerna, Internal Audit Supervisor. (My old supervisor :)) After experiencing a miscarriage early last year, she is so excited and anxious to finally see and hold her new baby! With only about two weeks shy of her due date - and with no true birthing plan other than to "go with the flow" (lol)- she opened up to YWM to share her thoughts on mother's rights, her pregnancy experience and advice. 

Check it out!

What was your initial response to finding out you were pregnant? Excited yet very nervous as I had a miscarriage before.

How has pregnancy changed your life (i.e. moody, extremely cautious, tired, etc.) [The] past nine months have been amazing and crazy at the same time. Since we had a miscarriage earlier this year, when we found out the second time we were expecting, we were ecstatic and scared at the same time. We didn’t let anyone know until I was four months along. Every time we went for an ultrasound it was like sitting on pins and needles until we heard the heartbeat. I sometimes go through that even now!! I will be relieved when I hold my baby in my arms.

What has been the best/”not-so-best” thing about your pregnancy? OMG- I didn’t know how amazing the human body was….we sure do miracles!! Best thing is to feel the baby move…it’s an awesome feeling. Not so best is a long list- burpy, farty, bloaty, acidity, fatigue, backache, swollen feet etc. etc. LOL

What excites you the most about becoming a new mom? Meeting the little being that my husband and I created together. I am excited about holding it, seeing it grow, say mom and dad.

Have you and/or your partner taken classes to prepare for birth? (i.e. Lamaze, birthing classes) Yes, we took Child birth basics and Breastfeeding. My husband thought it was the best thing we did, as he feels a lot more prepared now.

Do you have a birthing plan? (i.e. water birth, natural birth, home birth, drugs (lol) etc.) Not really. I am going to go with the flow.

What plans have you made in terms of returning to work/maternity leave? I am planning on taking 12 weeks off.

What is the best advice you have received so far about pregnancy and/or motherhood? One time I was worrying about how expensive it was going to be to have kids and a friend said, “kids don’t need a lot of things they need to be loved and cared” this stuck with me.

What advice can you give another Young Working Mommies-2-B? I am trying to figure out what’s the best way to balance work and personal life, especially when you have a little one dependent on you and no family support around. My family lives in India and my husband’s family is in Michigan. I can’t say follow your heart because financial reasons prevent a lot of us from staying home for the first year and take care of our kids. Since, I have become pregnant, I have begun to realize that US laws are not mother friendly. In comparison to the rest of the world where women get 6 months to a year of paid leave (55%) of their pay. I am starting to seek out senators who are pro-active in fighting for mother's rights and I would request other young working mothers to do the same.

So, Mommies-2-Be, are you familiar with FMLA? Have you researched your company's policy on maternity leave and/or short term disability? Know YOUR rights and plan ahead! 

Next Month's Mommie Spotlight---The BRAND NEW Mommie! :)