Preparing for Maternity Leave & Setting Yourself Up for a Confident Return

Maternity leave is an exciting time, filled with anticipation and the joys of welcoming a new baby. While many working mothers focus on the immediate transition of stepping away from work, far fewer consider the importance of preparing for their return. At MATRI Coaching, founder Sophie Maunder believes maternity leave should be a pause—not a setback—in your career. In this blog, she shares practical steps, mindset tips, and expert advice to help you prepare confidently, exit smoothly, and set the stage for a successful return to work.

Did you know that only 1 in 5 women feel confident when returning from maternity leave? Worse still, 55% of women in service industries report that taking maternity leave has negatively impacted their career prospects. This lack of confidence and career uncertainty is a key factor in why many women ultimately leave the workforce altogether.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. By putting a few key things in place before you go on maternity leave, you can make the transition back to work much smoother, ensuring you return with clarity, confidence, and the ability to pick up right where you left off.

Why Setting Up Your Return Matters

Too often, we see women return to work after maternity leave feeling like their confidence has taken a hit. They may experience ‘mental fogginess’ or imposter syndrome, questioning their abilities and struggling to regain their professional momentum. Unfortunately, this lack of confidence can lead to a decline in career progression, which contributes to the gender pay gap and limits the number of women reaching leadership positions.

While some women genuinely decide to shift their career ambitions after having children, many don’t - yet they still experience an unintentional career slump. The key to avoiding this? Signalling your intent to return from the very start.

How to Prepare for a Smooth Return from Maternity Leave

Here are some key actions to take before you go on maternity leave to ensure your return is as smooth and successful as possible.

1. Have a Closing Conversation with Your Boss
Before you leave, sit down with your manager to discuss:

• Your accomplishments over the past months or year.
• Any upcoming performance reviews you may be missing.
• Your intent to return to work at the same level you left (assuming your ambitions remain the same).
• How you’d like to stay informed about workplace changes while you’re away.

This conversation ensures that both you and your employer are on the same page and that your contributions are recognised before you step away.

2. Document Your Career Progress
Many returning mothers struggle to remember exactly what they worked on before their leave. Combat this by writing a letter to your future self, detailing:

• Your role and key achievements.
• What you enjoy about your work.
• Your goals and aspirations for when you return.

Store this document somewhere safe (and share it with HR or your manager if appropriate) so you can review it when you start thinking about returning to work.

3. Maintain Professional Relationships
Before you leave, take the time to touch base with key colleagues, clients, and suppliers. A simple email or casual conversation can go a long way in maintaining those relationships.
You don’t have to disappear from the professional world completely—staying in touch on your own terms can help you feel more connected and confident when it’s time to return.

4. Plan for Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days
Many workplaces offer Keeping in Touch (KIT) days, allowing you to work a limited number of days while on leave without losing maternity benefits. These days are a great way to ease back into work and stay informed about major developments in your company or industry.

Before you go on leave, consider:

• Who you might check in with for updates?
• Whether there are annual events or meetings you’d like to attend.
• If you’d like to schedule periodic touchpoints with your boss or team.

5. Take Control of Communication While You’re Away
Some women feel completely forgotten by their employer during maternity leave, while others feel overwhelmed with too much contact. To avoid frustration, communicate your preferences clearly before you leave.

Do you want monthly check-ins? Would you prefer to be left alone unless absolutely necessary? Let your employer know what works best for you.

6. Be Confident in Your Departure (and Return!)
Too many women feel awkward or apologetic about going on maternity leave, as though they’re letting their team down. Instead, own your maternity leave with pride—you’re embarking on an amazing journey, and you have every right to take this time for yourself and your baby.

Likewise, when you return, do so with confidence. Signal your intent early, stay connected where possible, and prepare yourself mentally for your return. Your career hasn’t ended—it’s simply paused, and you have every right to pick up where you left off.

Final Thoughts

Maternity leave doesn’t have to be a career setback. By proactively setting yourself up for a smooth transition back to work, you can ensure that your confidence remains high and that your career progression stays on track.

At MATRI, we support working mothers in navigating maternity transitions with confidence. If you’d like more guidance on preparing for maternity leave and planning a successful return to work, get in touch with MATRI today.