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I was stunned when I read a report on the first day of the two sessions that one of the national political advisers had suggested that maternity leave should be extended to three years.

It might be no big news for some European countries, but in China where women enjoy only 98 days of paid leave, it undoubtedly made headline.

Though the adviser later explained that her intention was to suggest delaying some women's retirement age by extending their maternity leave, the remark sparked a discussion.

Some of my female friends shared the news on social media and commented "hope it will come true", while some others said it will never happen.

Working in the media industry and having many female colleagues, I've heard many discussions, and usually, complaints about the maternity leave.

For most ordinary Chinese, both parents need to work in order to support the family. A three-month maternity leave means they will have to ask their parents to take care of the infant or hire a baby-sitter when the leave ends.

Most young couple let their parents to do this job, yet, it is still not an ideal arrangement. The grandparents may be too old to look after the baby and the mother wants to have more time with her newborn. Current leave is not long enough for them.

Then how long is reasonable? Do we really need three years? Zhen Yan, former vice-chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, told me she was not in favor of such suggestions personally.

"A longer leave may not be a good thing for women," she said at the sidelines of the two sessions. "How could you remain competitive after a three-year break?"

Her comment actually makes sense because I've seen some of my colleagues struggle with keeping up with work updates after just few months leave.

"Extending the maternity leave is a double-edged sword," said Hong Tianhui, also former vice-chairwoman of the federation. "The federation has been researching this issue."

"We have to consider the cost to the companies and the possible bad consequences of extending maternity leave," said Hong. "For example, if it is extended to one year or more, some companies may not be able to bear the cost and fire the women with excuses."

There are many reasons to extend the break, but considering the country's current situation it should be a gradual process, Hong said.

The biggest problem that the career women face is how to keep the balance between career and family. The issue of maternity leave is only one problem, said Zhen Yan.

"We should also urge the government to provide more support such as building up more child-care centers for babies under three years old and offer subsidies for those couples who hire baby-sitters," she said.

Apparently, helping women pull through the special time is not as simple as extending the maternity break. Well, whatever the government is going to do, I just hope we could hear fewer complaints about the hardship that women have to take after being a mother. Anyway, women are supposed to "hold up half the sky".