NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who will take six weeks off after giving birth, has precedent from what other powerful women have done after having babies.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take six weeks off after giving birth in coming days. What have other powerful women done after having babies?
Benazir Bhutto
The Pakistani prime minister is thought to be the only elected world leader before Ms Ardern to give birth while in office. She famously returned to work the day after having her second child in 1990, fearing the opposition would use the time to oust her. "The next day I was back on the job, reading government papers and signing government files," she recalled.
Marissa Mayer
The former Yahoo chief executive caused a stir after coming back to work in less than a month after having twins in 2015. Following the birth of her first child in 2012, the American tech boss also took just two weeks before returning. "I understand I'm the exception," she said, arguing she didn't expect others to do the same.
Tammy Duckworth
The United States senator from Illinois (50) made headlines by bringing her 10-day-old baby into the upper chamber while casting a vote in April. The appearance came a day after the senate overturned a long-standing rule banning newborns from the floor. "As tough as juggling the demands of motherhood and being a Senator can be, I'm hardly alone or unique as a working parent," she said.
Kelly O'Dwyer
The Revenue Minister was the first Australian cabinet member to have a baby while in office and had a cot set up next to her desk after the the birth of her second child last year. She continued to attend cabinet meetings despite taking maternity leave - breastfeeding during some of them (also a first). "I've always been pretty efficient with my time, with children it takes it to a new dimension," she told Fairfax.
Serena Williams
The former world tennis number one has sparked debate about maternity leave after losing her top rank for taking a year off to have a child. Last week she returned to Grand-Slam play unseeded and ranked 451. Miami Open director James Blake said of the situation: "It's not as if she left because of injury and lost her passion for the game. She had a kid, which we should all be celebrating."
