"Today women plan their families by about 30 to 35 years, which is in fact the 'make or break' point in their careers," Ophealia Deroze, Head of HR, Kshitij Investments Advisory states.

In a period of six months everything can change and it will really be up to the woman to decide how to get her career back on track.

"I know of women who have worked from home after 20 days of delivering their baby or have come in for a few hours every week," she shares. The important thing is that you do not stay away from work and become out of touch with new developments.

Here's how you can Negotiate Flexible Work with your company.

Paternity Leave

Some western countries have provision for paternity leave up to two weeks in the case of the wife delivering a baby or even for adoption.

So till then women will have to put their family first and their career on the backburner?

Ophealia doesn't think so. "I know a few families where both parents graduated from top B schools. They both have had discussions about whose career has more potential and fathers have actually agreed to take up consultancy jobs and look after the kids while their wives pursue their career," she elaborates.