The Third trimester: the longest 3 months of your life.

Well folks, we’ve finally arrived at the third and final trimester of pregnancy. It’s been 6 months of ups and downs, fatigue and energy bursts, joy and discomfort.

We’ve now reached what I affectionately like to call, the longest 3 months of your life. The trimester where it all culminates. Buckle in (if you can do up the buckle…)

That due date is edging closer, but it feels like the days and nights are getting longer as your belly pushes forth and you lose the ability to see your toes.

Your body has well and truly become a vessel devoted to carrying your soon-to-be newborn and there’s no room for you in it anymore.

So, let’s explore for this last part of the journey, how work and I are getting on at this point and what is needed to get ready to sign off for maternity leave…

Planning and forward thinking.

Can I check in with you on the plan to handover my work, discuss what my return will look like and what kind of contact we’ll have while I’m off?

“I couldn’t have put it better myself. Let’s dedicate some time to do exactly that. We’ll also get it documented so that you don’t have to try and remember anything that we talk through.”

As an organised person, I love a bit of planning and preparation to feel reassured of what will happen in the months and year ahead. As an employee, this will require the help of the leader.

Whether it’s wrapping up projects, making clients aware of the forthcoming timeline or booking in your Keeping in Touch days, there are things to prepare for.

With such a significant mental and physical load about to pile on in the guise of an adorable bundle, knowing that all is in order in advance of your leave date is not just a nice to have, it’s a necessity.

And whilst on the outside it may seem a long way off, for some people (like me), they may want to talk through what their return to work looks like well in advance.

Flexibility.

I’m doing my best to keep up with everything but some days are harder than others.

“Don’t worry if you need more time, need to share the load or can’t make the meeting. Let me know what you can do and we’ll make it work.”

My old friend flexibility – the key to so much. And the key to making your pregnant employee feel supported and genuinely cared for.

Whether you’ve been pregnant before or not, the experience is different for everyone anyway so create an environment that fosters open and honest dialogue about how your employee is really feeling / doing so that you can provide tailored support to them.

For me, the third trimester is a confusing mix of feeling better in some ways and awful in others. My body has never felt stronger and yet more vulnerable all at once. I’m in the final stages of growing a whole human being and every day I’m incredulous at this feat. As part of this parcel, I’m also experiencing heartburn, hip pain, a fast heart rate, a constant need to pee and despite the immense tiredness, being kept awake by restless legs and arms when I’m trying to sleep.

Oh and also, my baby could arrive at any minute.

Check-in regularly and offer what flexibility you can. You have no idea how much it will mean to them.

There is a time for performance management, and trust me, this isn’t it.

Reassurance, Reassurance, Reassurance.

Do you know what goes on inside the head of a pregnant woman ahead of maternity leave? No? I would recommend that if you know someone personally, maybe ask them.

For me, my mind is full. Full of planning. Full of anxieties. Full of excitement. Full of nerves. Full of questions. Full of worry about stepping away from work. Full of guilt for worrying about work when I will have a precious newborn to care for. Full.

So give your employee all the reassurance you can that work is not something they need to be worrying about while they’re off.

Reassure them that they will be missed and their workload will be taken care of in their absence. That means they have no need to even have a passing thought about work.

Reassure them of the Maternity process and policies. Let them know what to expect and when.

Reassure them about pay. It’s a big one. I cannot tell you enough how financially dependent you feel when on maternity leave and so knowing when to expect what pay, is a BIG thing.

Reassure them of who to contact if they have any concerns or queries. That may be their leader or it may be someone in HR. It’s always good to have a couple of contacts in case one is unavailable.

Reassure them of how amazing it is to be doing what they’re doing and that their workplace will welcome them back with open arms when they’re ready.

And that career they’ve spent their life building? Reassure them that it will continue.

Reassure them that they matter with…

A supportive send-off.

Remember last time how we spoke about the anxieties of stepping away from your work and career to have a family?

Well, this is the time to define how your employee feels about their employer and what their future with that company looks like.

Internal support is a massive factor but you can be the company that goes above and beyond.

Provide Maternity coaching to help your employee transition from employee to working parent and enable joy and longevity in their career with you.

A note to the Mama’s.

What an incredible and hard journey you’ve been on but you’re nearly there.

You’re doing something mega.

In fact, if we really want to take a step back then you’re creating the future workforce.

You deserve to be looked after right now so allow yourself to accept the offers of support.