The Wider Image: New mothers suffer nerves, guilt as maternity leave ends
Nahla Mohamed Abdel Rahman, 37, a professor at faculty of applied arts, holds her three-month-old baby Younis, at their house in her first week back at work, in Cairo, Egypt, February 22, 2019. Nahla took only three months off work for her maternity leave. Nahla's husband Ahmed Saleh Sobhie, 39, works as an accountant at the Eye Bank. He didn't take any leave. By the Egyptian labour law, mothers can take between three and four months off in paid maternity leave, and up to two years in unpaid leave. Fathers cannot take any paternity leave. Nahla goes to work five days a week and her sister takes care of her baby as nurseries are too expensive for her. "I always feel worried and afraid when I leave Younis, feeding and sleeping times are still too hard to control, that's why I always keep calling my sister Heba to make sure my baby is fine", she said. "I think it would be better to have longer period of time with my baby, until he is six months old. By then, he can start eating and won't rely totally on breastfeeding." REUTERS/Hayam Adel SEARCH "MOTHERS GLOBAL" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
