摘要：The study investigated the relation between motherhood and work through factors that lead professional women to prioritize career or family. An exploratory, descriptive, mixed methods field survey conducted with two groups of couples: in one the women interrupted their career to look after their children, and in the other group they remained in the job after the maternity leave. Data was qualitatively analyzed using Bardin�s categorial content analysis, and quantitatively using descriptive statistics. With respect to the reasons that made women make one or other decision, in the group of women who decided for a career break, the main reasons were related to integral childcare, followed by job dissatisfaction and desire of participating in the child�s life. In the responses of women who remained in the job, the main reasons were financial needs, job satisfaction, and career and life plans.
