Returning to work after maternity leave

It's that time again — time to return to work with treasured memories of pregnancy, birth and maternity leave. Victoria Hefty has "been there, done that," as creator of the Philly Baby Bump Guide, (www.phillybabybump.com), rich in resources for new and expectant mothers in Philadelphia.

"It includes everything from hospitals and breastfeeding classes to baby-and-me activities," Hefty says. "I only list resources that I have personally used or that come very highly recommended."

She hopes you'll take extra good care of yourself as you return to the workplace after your maternity leave, and here's how she suggests you do.

1. Prepare to be there: Start making preparations for your return to work even before you take leave. "It's critical that you don't make assumptions about what will happen when you come back. You'll have a lot on your mind so document everything, especially if you meet with your manager and make 'agreements' before you go. That way, if your current manager leaves, you'll have a base established to go forward with a new supervisor, and everyone will be on the same page."

Such meticulous documentation also helps prevent anyone from ever feeling threatened, says Hefty. "Then no one wonders, 'What did I say?' and all bases are covered."

2. Do your homework: Decide if you'll be filing for short-term disability (STD) and what that ultimately means to you where you work. You may also use a combination of sick leave, vacation, unpaid family leave or personal days.

Make an appointment with your human resources department to determine all your options. That helps you make the most informed decision instead of guessing and maybe having unpleasant surprises.

3. Determine when to say "when": Deciding the right time to inform your employer that "Surprise! I'm pregnant!" is always a strategic decision, Hefty says. "Many doctors recommend after your first trimester. Other women are more comfortable after four to five months, or when they first begin to 'show.'"

Maybe you're nervous about sharing this big piece of information with your manager. Sometimes, the earlier the better is the best policy. "That gives you more time to create a plan, which in turn, can make everyone feel better about you leaving temporarily," Hefty says. "Ask your team, 'What can we start doing now so I can put my system in place?' Think about adding an intern while you're still there to help lighten the load.

4. Secure child care: You may think this is no big deal, but in some major cities such as Philadelphia, applications for the best child care facilities may have waitlists of up to a year. "As soon as you find out you're pregnant, start touring child care centers," Hefty says. "Do not wait until baby is born to discover everything amazing and affordable is full."

5. Manage breastfeeding: Just as you'll do with giving notice and accessing great child care, you'll want to make a plan to breastfeed before you need it. Start by informing your manager before you take leave and get the lay of the breastfeeding land for when you return.

Ask other mothers who've preceded you with breastfeeding how they pumped and then managed their milk. Locate the nearest, most convenient refrigerator, and if there isn't one, ask about bringing your own mini-fridge.

You already know the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to provide you reasonable break time to express breast milk for a year after your child's birth. The law also states that you're to be given a special, private place, and not the bathroom, to express breast milk.

Again, a chat with Human Resources may most efficiently provide answers to your questions. In terms of daily operations, if your office is prone to back-to-back meetings, get creative. Ask about dialing in for the first half-hour or simply being 20 minutes late to attend in person.

"With a little preparation, you can actually thrive at work and also enjoy every new minute of being a mom — which is the whole point," says Hefty.