Parent made the important point (no pun intended): There's a non-trivial chance she won't return to work. Having a kid changes the perspectives of the new paren

Parent made the important point (no pun intended): There's a non-trivial chance she won't return to work. Having a kid changes the perspectives of the new parents - going from "take" to "give" - in ways that can't be undone. Don't make the paid leave contingent on her returning, or you'll have negative feelings about her participation and possibly about her peers on the team. Mentally, call it a severance package, even if she intends to return. Let her and the money go, and focus on overall contingency plans, as mentioned by others.