Apprentice star Karren Brady has revealed to Jonathan Ross that she only took two days maternity leave - and she has a "deep regret" for not spending more time with her newborn daughter.
"I had to have my baby on the Wednesday and get up and go and do it on the Friday"
When asked by Jonathan if her career success had cost her time spent with her children, she ruefully admitted: "Well, I didn't take much maternity leave, which is a deep regret of mine.
"With Sophie, unfortunately I had a manager to sack, so I had to have my baby on the Wednesday and get up and go and do it on the Friday.
"It was pretty hardcore."
Karren admits that her family didn't necessarily understand her decision - in particular, her own mother.
“My mother used to say to me ‘you do know you’ve had a baby don’t you? You have to take it a bit easy.'"
She went on to explain that nowadays, thanks to modern technology, working mums are able to maintain a far better work/life balance with their children:
"When I was having children the work/life balance didn’t exist whereas now communication and mobile phones makes it far easier to be anywhere in the world and still working.
“I think companies understand that if you want to attract good talent and good women to your organisation you have to have genuine honest policies about maternity leave and working with women and that involves the family."
Karren added that her two children, daughter Sophia and son Paolo, mean everything to her.
“My kids are the whole purpose of my life.”
Do you agree with Karren Brady - is it easier nowadays to combine a job with motherhood? Let us know your thoughts below.