If you have been at a company for a while, I'm going to assume you haven't looked at your resume since your interview. Even if you plan on returning to the same position, it's wise to take this time to update and finesse your resume. I made sure that mine reflected courses I had taken or new skills I had learned during my time in the company.

Unfortunately some companies treat mothers on maternity leave like aliens who can no longer understand office politics and industry conversations. It's, honestly, the worst. I suggest trying to offset this isolation by making connections with colleagues (old and new), so they don't forget all about you during your leave.

Also, be sure to reach out to contacts in other companies to build your network and make sure you aren't the last to learn about changes in your industry or company.

Enjoying a coffee and a chat with work friends will probably be a thing of the past once your baby arrives, so relish these opportunities now (and especially while you're most-likely to be the center of attention, because pregnant bellies tend to do that).

Arrange regular contact with a trusted colleague who can keep you up-to-date on office politics and procedures, so your return is as seamless as possible.

Make sure you are completely aware of your company's maternal policies, and that you explicitly understand exactly how much (if any) time you can take off, whether you will be paid, and when you have to return.

Sometimes moms have to pay back maternity payments to companies if they don't abide by the terms of their contracts. Sadly, this happened to a friend of mine and the result almost bankrupted her.

If at all possible, try to save some money before your maternity leave begins. You'll probably end up living on a smaller paycheck (even if you plan on going back to work because, again, paid maternity leave isn't necessarily a thing if you live in the United States) so it's wise to get used to a reduced salary by moving any surplus into a savings account.

My husband and I set up an automatic monthly transfer from our main account to our savings account. If the money is moved before you have a chance to spend it, saving becomes so much easier.

Make sure you are aware of state and federal rules governing the rights of mothers on maternity leave, and that you understand how they apply to your unique and individual situation.

Most likely another employee will be utilizing your work space while you're away, so it's only nice (and probably necessary) to remove your presence from the area. This means taking all your personal belongings home, your plants and coffee mugs, photos, and any personalized stationary you may or may not have.

It also means you might need to uninstall programs from your computer and deleting any personal files. Try to leave your office space as you would like to find it.

Familiarize yourself with the human resources department, and inform them of your situation and your wishes to return to work (or not).

This department can often be your ally in negotiations concerning your pay and time off, so I think it's safe to say they should be your first point of contact.

One of the most difficult things about transitioning from working in an office with adults, to being home with a new baby, is the undeniable fact that you no longer have free time to eat your lunch and enjoy a coffee uninterrupted. Your leisurely lunches at the office will be a luxurious thing of the past, so enjoy them while you can!

Work baby showers are like an added bonus. As many people keep their “real” friends and their work colleagues separate, you can enjoy two baby showers and more gifts. #Winning. This is also a really nice way to say goodbye to colleagues before you leave for a new and extended chapter of your life.

Maternity leave is an exciting time of change and, with a little preparation, you can ensure your job is where you left it when (and if) you want to return.