Woman sparks fury after admitting 'being a mum ruined my career'

A woman who unexpectedly fell pregnant in 2023 has been accused of being a bad mum after she admitted having a baby ruined her career.

Derricka Hill, from Seattle, Washingston, was a nursing assistant for several years before turning to marketing recruitment, a job which saw her working 50 hours a week in her corporate job.

The 31-year-old, who has full custody of her son, said: "I wanted to be successful in my career. I worked hard and played harder, I only had myself to take care of, and I could do whatever I wanted."

However, that all changed in October 2023 when she unexpectedly fell pregnant and after an "emotionally intense" pregnancy, she gave birth via caesarean to her son Derriwan David D'Angelo on June 28, 2024.

In September 2024, Derricka returned to work after three months maternity leave and despite having help from her grandmother and mother, began to struggle balancing her work and home life. Derricka said working in "cooperate America is a beast, but I'm always going to put my son first."

In March 2025 Derriwan became sick with chronic ear infections which kept both of them awake all night and meant Derricka struggled at work the next day. Two months later, in May 2025, Derriwan contracted salmonella forcing Derricka to take annual and unpaid leave.

Some weeks she is only able to work 25 hours a week in order to look after Derriwan, and she says the reduced hours have "ruined her career" because time off means she's "not a valuable employee".

She posted an honest rant on TikTok which got over 600,000 views. Since posting the video on June 20 people have commented saying "should have kept your legs closed" and "where's the dad? - but despite receiving hate from online trolls, she admits she has learned to "laugh it off".

In response Derricka said: "I ruined my career by having a son. When I have time off, I don't bring money into the business. I'm not as valuable as an employee in a business sense.

"I wanted to experience the trials and tribulations of motherhood. People online call me a 'bad mother' or say that I hate my son. I don't, he is my whole world, but being a single mum working full time in corporate America is tough.

"Plus, dealing with a child who is sick is an added layer. I'd never be without him but my career has suffered enormously. I don't have the luxury of giving up work because it's just me and Derriawn. Everything I do is for him."