Author Lauren Smith Brody | ‘The Fifth Trimester’ and the reality of returning to work after you have a baby

If you thought there were only three trimesters, well, prepare to think again. While the newborn phase is often referred to as the fourth trimester, former New York-based Glamour editor Lauren Smith Brody took it one step further when she trademarked the term ‘the fifth trimester’. She was referring to the birth of the working mother – the time when new mothers return to work and undergo a radical transformation in so many ways. She’s written the book (literally) on this phase and it’s full of insights and advice. The Fifth Trimester is based on interviews with over 700 candidly speaking mothers in carried fields and expert advice, and answers to many of our burning questions. When will I go back? How should I manage that initial "I want to quit" attack? Flex-time or full-time? What's the best option for childcare? Is it possible to look like I slept for eight hours instead of three? And why is there never a convenient space to pump? In today’s conversation, host Georgie Abay talks to Lauren about all of the above and more. The enormous identity shift we experience when we become mothers The motherhood penalty Making peace with your child-care choices Returning to work and pumping Practical time management tips for working mothers To find out more about The Fifth Trimester, visit www.thefifthtrimester.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.