Getting through your last months at work before maternity leave is tough, there’s a lot going on: your job, your pregnancy and preparing for being a new mum and not at work. It’s kind of four jobs right when you’re hitting max capacity for physical endurance. The load is heavy, and not to add to it, but there are a few things you can do now (don’t worry, they’re mostly conversations) that will make your return to paid work down the track a lot easier. It will also clear up any uncertainties or insecurities you may have, and lay the groundwork and expectation for what your role will look like, when you’re also balancing motherhood.

1. Ask for a review

Most workplaces do these quarterly, but you are absolutely entitled to ask for a formal review with your direct manager at any time. Get it down on paper how you're performing as a team member, manager and employee, where you’re at with meeting KPIs. This gives you a hardcopy summation of your work life before maternity leave. Something that might come in handy when negotiating your return. This is also a great time to confirm your handover plan, what will be completed before you leave, who will take over what parts of your job, and anything you may need your boss’ help or clarity on. Lucinda McKimm, Host of Ready or Not and Co-Host of Witching Hour says a review before leave "Will not only bring clarity to your role while you're potentially navigating pregnancy tiredness or sickness and the nerves and emotions that may come with going on parental leave, it will also remind you of your skills and talents when you begin to navigate the return to paid work."

2. Communicate your return to work expectations

Your workplace will hopefully have its own paid parental leave entitlements, then there is the government paid parental leave, and finally the unpaid leave, which is up to two years in Australia. While it in no way has to be set in stone, your workplace will require you to give a return to work date. You may know this, but you most likely will not, so when you have this conversation, make it clear that you think you may take a certain amount of months, but find out what the process would be if you needed more time, or wanted to return earlier. Having this conversation prior to birth will give you a clearer understanding of your options after.

3. Write a thorough handover for your team

As much for your team to reference as for you to feel resolved, a handover document is essential. A passing of the torch, the bookend on this chapter, a resource that will keep anyone from needing to contact you when you’re learning to breastfeed. Make sure you add everyone to the document, link it to your internal OOO auto response, leave a printed copy with HR… basically, do what you need to do to make sure people can access and use it.

4. Touch base with your work support team

You’ll make time with your boss, and HR, but also check-in with your mentor, work with, any other working mums in your team and anyone else who will be part of your support team championing your return to work when it comes. You can share your feelings, goals, worries and they can give advice, reassurance or insight that will help you transition into mat leave with a clear head.

5. Do a mental return to work risk assessment

Spend some time thinking about what your day-to-today will look like as a working parent. Start with a physical walk through of your work space, identifying your future needs and how they will be met. For example, where will you pump? Where will you store milk? Then think about logistics, will your commute need to change? Will you need to work from home more? Will you need certain equipment for that?

6. Make your requests

After you’ve identified any physical or logistical issues, Lauren Treweek, Co-Host of Witching Hour says “Speak to your manager about flexibility in how you return to work. It may be a phased approach, a gradual build up of days or coming back in a part-time capacity.” You can also speak about any additional requests, perhaps needing a car spot, different desk or feeding space. Doing this ahead of your return will give your team time to plan, assess and set things up. It’s possible not all will be doable, but you know the saying, closed mouths don’t get fed.

7. Celebrate, take a photo, and download your memories

Things will be different on the other side so save things from your work drive that are important to you now. Photos from the company awards, that brilliant presentation from last month, your brainstorming deck, take a copy of them so if everything changes why you’re away, you have the stuff you want. Then, celebrate with your team, go for lunch or have afternoon icecreams. Finally, take a photo of you at your desk, leaving the office for the last time or just snapping your laptop shut at your dining table to signal the end of an era. You made it. Go you.