{
  "id": 3528604,
  "title": "The Most Depressed I've Ever Been Was After Maternity Leave Ended",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/the-most-depressed-ive-ever-been-was-after-maternity-leave-ended",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-26T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/postpartum-depression-working-mom-good-life-diary-12366925"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During the postpartum depression study at New York University hospital, the writer experienced a significant dip in her mental health after returning to work. Six months into the study, doctors were astonished by the shift in her responses. The transition from being a full-time parent to working meant leaving the baby with someone else for nine hours a day, which she found emotionally taxing. Despite her love for her job and financial stability, the added burden of childcare costs made her question the decision to return to work. The writer struggled to find a balance and even contemplated quitting her job, drafting multiple emails expressing her dilemma. However, she remains committed to her career as a professional writer, despite her initial doubts about staying at home with her son full-time.",
  "summary": "I was worried I was headed to a dangerous place until I asked my boss a simple question.",
  "key_points": [
    "Writer experienced postpartum depression after maternity leave ended.",
    "Transition to work left baby with caregiver for nine hours daily.",
    "Financial stability and job love couldn't overcome childcare stress."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}