Pompeo defends short maternity leave

Ellen Pompeo has revealed that she did not want to be on maternity leave for too long.

The Grey's Anatomy star gave birth to her daughter Stella Luna in September but decided to return to work four weeks later.

"A lot of people couldn't understand why I wouldn't take my maternity leave," she told Self magazine.

"I felt like I needed to work while I had this opportunity. The writers and producers were really gracious and wrote my scenes so I could preshoot them."

Pompeo explained that her daughter is her "priority" but said that she is also focusing on her marriage to music producer Chris Ivery.

"It's easy to get lost in the baby," she said. "You have to make sure you give your husband attention."

Pompeo added that she also makes time for her friends, explaining: "You learn things from your friends and they bring you joy, and you bring back all that happiness to your baby."

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