The age of the youngest child is an important determinant of the probability of mothers being employed. The relationship between childbearing and employment recognises transitions out of and into work following childbirth, with some women continuing to work through their childbearing years and others taking a break from paid work. Of those women who take a break from work, some return to work faster than others. The analysis contained in this article investigates these breaks from work and the return to work, looking at how work transition patterns have changed from the 1970s through to the 1990s, and whether there are certain personal or family characteristics associated with these patterns.