Abstract

Objective: To reveal the experience of the Parental Postnatal Law in working mothers and their children in two cities from southern Chile. Methodology: Phenomenological qualitative research with Schutz philosophical reference, data collection by phenomenological interview and analysis by defining metacategories and intermediate categories. Reliability and validity according to the rigour criteria of Guba and Lincoln. Ethical rigour based on the requirements of Ezekiel Emanuel and evaluation by a scientific ethics committee. Results: Metacategories emerged; "Beneficial experience for dyads", "Benefits for the infant", "Maternal overload" and "Deprotection due to information deficit". Because of the prevailing gender perspectives, returning to work implies guilt and maternal overload when reconciling both roles. Conclusion: Fears of losing the job and prejudices are perceived when making use of a parental leave. Strategies should be looked for in order to ease the delivery of information and value maternal support networks to ease family reconciliation.