I hear you - I cant believe the judgement that comes from other mothers (or mothers to be). we all need to make our choices and do what is right for us and our families - emotionally, physically, financially etc. I am expecting in Sept and intend to take 6 months off (I may take more or less depending how i actually feel when it all happens!) - my career means a lot to me, and I earn v good money and I get a lot of satisfaction from my job - but i have no idea how motherhood will chg that and I also know not everyone feels the same way about working... i think we all need to do what feels right for us as this will make the happiest and most rounded home for our children (and marriages, familial relations, friendships etc). I never judge or feel any way twds mums who do go to work, dont go to work etc as I honestly think we all need to do what is best for us and what works in our situatins. However, I find the 'judgement' seems to always go the way of SAHM (only some!) judging working mums, it is v politically incorrect to say anything the other way... and that FRUSTRATES me.
The other thing is a lot of this comes from men, many of my DH friends seem to expect that their wives (and me) should stay home - and these are women who prior to being preg had extremely highpowered and succesful careers. we are thinking of trying me working 4 days and DH working 4 days if both employers will allow - and his friends think he has lost the plot!