More Women Forced to Reduce Maternity Leave Under Stress of the Economy

Working mothers shouldn't feel bulled into taking less time than they deserve, experts say. They advise women to ask a lot of questions about their company's maternity policy, let their boss know of the pregnancy sooner rather than later, be enthusiastic and go in with a suggested plan.

CLICK HERE for more advice about maternity leave from "GMA's" workplace correspondent Tory Johnson.

Courtesy Kristin Carter

Kristin Carter, 27, of Camarillo, Calif., is... View Full Caption

Kristin Carter, 27, of Camarillo, Calif., is preparing her nursery after trying to get pregnant for a year. She hoped she wouldn't need to return to her college teaching position full time for six months, but that has changed. Close

It's important for women to not feel guilty, experts add, even if they cannot take as much time off as they want to.

Carter and Papachristou know that's easier said than done. "I feel like [my daughter's] being cheated, for sure," Papachristou said.

Carter said, "I'm really afraid that I'm going to miss out on the milestones like, you know, the little things. Like the first smile and the first step and the first word and, you know, I'm just going to cry if someone else is there for that and I'm not."

Such worries are just under the surface but Carter is trying to keep things in perspective and focus on the joys of impending motherhood.

"I'm really optimistic about, you know, our future as a family and everything like that," she said. "You know, money can be sorted out. It can be handled."