AE not every woman gets an offer like your lawyer friend - I certainly hope ladies aren't waiting for that to happen :)
some companies are cool..
most of the young mothers i know (regardless of their career), if they have wanted to continue working, they've been offered part-time..
Im starting part-time (3 days) in a months time as well... wooohooooo..
5 days has been difficult but nonetheless very rewarding i think
like X2 and many others have said, it can be hard to leave a field for 3+ years.. for me it was difficult being in IT. I didnt want to risk being out for so many years..