This study was intended to describe the experiences of professional women who had to interrupt their careers due to the work-family conflict. The research focused on women who are mothers and who have higher education. Its purpose was to understand the reasons that led to them to interrupt their professional careers, as well as to describe their current experiences, away from the job market and fully dedicated to motherhood. The research methodology chosen for the study was qualitative, with 10 women interviewed of several professions, who interrupted the career due to maternity. The results of this research suggest that interviewees, in the majority, refused to outsource the raising and education of children and the obligation to undertake long working hours was decisive in their decision to stop working. In addition, the husband s support, both emotional and financial, was imperative so that they could make the decision to dedicate themselves to motherhood, in its entirety. The experiences, after the interruption of the career, reveal feelings of uselessness, low self-esteem and prejudices experienced by many of the women interviewed. Professional plans for the future are reported, but most want to change their carreer or shorten working hours, because they seek flexibility in scheduling due to the belief that by having control over their working hours it will be possible to reconcile professional and maternal roles.