What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?

Don’t stress. It will be easier and better than you think. Enjoy being pregnant. Accept seats on the train from strangers with a kind smile and thank you. Take time for yourself. Have brunch with your friends, go to a movie, or visit a museum. Once the baby arrives, your free time will vanish.

What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?

I was almost five months pregnant. I was nervous my boss would hold it against me and take me off the big projects. I told her that I was already putting together a binder of info for the person who would fill in for me while I would be on maternity leave to minimize disruption.

How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?

The company did not have a generous maternity leave option. I took eight weeks, and I wish I could have taken more time.

Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?

My husband. He did everything he could to make my transition back to work as smooth as possible.

I had a cookie with a big glass of milk every afternoon. I felt like the milk was good for me and the tiny bones I was growing and the cookie was a reasonable treat.

Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!

I never expected leaving for work in the morning would be so hard and finding a way to balance my career goals and family life would be so much easier!

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