Emma Barnett, the award-winning broadcaster and former Women's Hour host, has argued that the term 'maternity leave' should be replaced with 'maternity service' to better reflect the reality of the first year after childbirth. In her new book, Maternity Service, she describes the experience as a 'tour of duty', involving love, repetitiveness, and deep personal sacrifice.
Barnett, who underwent seven rounds of IVF and had two children via caesarean section, says the word 'service' captures the commitment and honour of motherhood, but also the pain, injury, and frustration. She recalls her recovery as 'horrendous', with complications including bladder issues and a hypertonic pelvic floor, which she had never heard of before.
The 41-year-old, now a presenter on the Today programme, returned to work just three months after her son's birth, presenting on BBC One. She described the transition as overwhelming, saying she 'couldn't breathe' due to anxiety and the demands of breastfeeding. Despite her long struggle to become a mother, she admits she was unprepared for the reality, having avoided researching parenthood beforehand.
Barnett also reflects on the 'maternity uniforms' she adopted, such as loose dresses during IVF to accommodate bruising from injections, and stretchy black polo necks postpartum for comfort. She compares her approach to Steve Jobs, choosing clothes for their practicality during a period of physical flux.
