The most important response, Pascucci adds, is to support a new mother in every possible way – something Caldwell appears to have in spades – and to trust that no one knows if Caldwell is ready to be back on the court except Caldwell.
It’s also not too surprising that her return sparked conversations about the expectations that surround motherhood in the United States, one of the few countries in the world without mandated paid maternity leave, although Caldwell’s decision seems motivated by dedication to her job rather than any financial worries (she earns $750,000 a year).
This is something any woman returning to work soon after giving birth needs to consider, Pascucci says, but that doesn’t mean a decision like Caldwell’s is irresponsible or unsafe.
But Varnam also emphasized that each new mother has a different response to childbirth, and if Caldwell is resting whenever possible and seated during games, she’s likely to avoid major physical consequences.
Varnam says it is important for new mothers like Caldwell who are motivated to get back to work to address certain factors.
