Busy Mom Regrets Rushing Back to Work After C-Section

In November 2025, a 37-year-old entrepreneur named Sophie Sherief is sharing her story of rushing back to work after a C-section, urging other working parents to prioritize self-care and maternity leave.

Just eight years ago, Sherief was so focused on building her business that she returned to work from her hospital bed, asking her mom to bring her laptop. She treated this as a "badge of honor," but now sees it as "complete madness" fueled by the pressure to prove she could do it all as a young mother.

Sherief's viral TikTok video, which has over 1.1 million views, reflects on how she missed maternity leave completely. The lockdown in 2020 provided her with the "maternity leave" she had previously denied herself, allowing her to slow down and spend quality time with her young children.

Today, Sherief has rebuilt her business and lifestyle to support a calmer, more intentional rhythm. She credits a close-knit support system as crucial during the most intense periods of parenting and entrepreneurship. Sherief's message to other mothers is clear: you don't have to choose between career and family—with the right support and sustainability, you can have both.