Alesya Rutsevich, 28, an ophthalmologist, her husband Pyotr, 28, a programmer, and their son Daniil, 3, pose for a photograph at their house in the week Alesya went back to work, in Minsk, Belarus, February 23, 2019. Under statutory maternity leave in Belarus mothers are paid their average monthly income for 70 days before birth and 56 days afterwards. Childcare leave can be taken for up to three years after the birth by any working relative or child's guardian. Recipients are paid a fixed sum according to the number of children in the family. Alesya went back to work after three years of paid leave. "I wanted to continue my professional activity to develop as a professional, not just as a mother but it was very scary and I had some doubts that maybe I shouldn't return", Alesya said. "The main thing is not to worry, not to panic because first shift is very emotional." Daniil now goes to kindergarten. "Three years is enough to raise a child, develop their basic habit, how to behave in a team, with children, with parents. At three, he is already such a small adult." REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko SEARCH "MOTHERS GLOBAL" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.