Preparing for maternity leave

Beth Price • November 27, 2018

So you’re pregnant, congrats!! There is so much to think about when you are pregnant, most of the focus is on you and your babies health, then what to buy, what kind of parents you will be, reading numerous books with differing advice on everything, how long you’ll be off work, childcare, the list goes on! It’s pretty overwhelming I must say.


Don’t let these things take over, just remember to enjoy being pregnant as much as you can, it’s such a special time and how amazing is it that we are growing a little human inside of us!

 

Hopefully you’re as lucky as I am and work for a supportive company that will help and support you as much as possible at this time. However, for those that need a little extra guidance, here are my top tips for preparing for maternity leave so the transition can be as smooth as possible for you, and hopefully reduce the stress;

 

Talk to your employer

It is completely up to you as to when to tell you’re employer, I personally think the sooner the better so you have that support in the work place for as long as possible. Find out what maternity pay you are entitled to, how much notice you need to give for coming back from maternity, discuss your plans for returning to work etc. Getting this all on the table will make you feel in control.

 

Give yourself time

There is no harm in starting your handover doc/making notes and getting things ready as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you certainly don’t want to leave things until the last minute as I can confirm baby brain is very very real!!

 

Document everything

Start making sure you make full notes on the system, or in documents etc. No cutting corners now, make everything clear so everyone can understand what you did and why. This will help ensure no one’s kept guessing once you leave, or worse, trying to call you whilst you’re in the hospital to ask work questions!

 

Handover to colleagues or replacement

You may or may not be involved in the hiring of your replacement, even if you aren’t I would give your boss a gentle nudge to get this done sooner rather than later, you may think you have plenty of time but it absolutely zooms by! Make sure you have your handover notes and all documents (as much as possible) ready to brief your colleagues or replacement well in advance. Don’t leave anything out, even small things you think are common-sense in your role (they may not be common sense to others).

 

Make sure you have clear boundaries whilst on maternity leave

Have a think what you are comfortable with. Really, your employer (as long as you have done the above) should have no need to contact you on maternity leave. You need to be left alone to enjoy the time with your lovely little new addition, and I’m pretty sure we’ll need all the spare time we have to sleep, eat and just survive! Make sure you have expressed this to your employer however, especially if they have not got children themselves, as they may assume the odd call and text about work is fine.

 

Hopefully your run down to maternity goes nice and smoothly, you deserve it!

 

Any advice you need feel free to get in touch.

By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
By Kristina Gerdov May 13, 2025
In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.
By Kristina Gerdov April 3, 2025
Starting a new role is so exciting but can sometimes feel like a whirlwind—there’s so much to take in. That’s why we’ve broken it down into a simple 30-60-90 day plan—to help you settle in, make an impact early, get aligned on your KPIs, and feel a sense of achievement from day one.
more posts