After you deliver your child, the toughest day you'll have is that first time back to work. You'll worry about whether his caregiver will be able to tell his hungry cry from his tired cry, whether he's getting the attention he thrives on, and (of course) whether he misses you. Try to focus on the benefits of the situation — the increased value of the time you and your baby do have together, his broadening horizons as he interacts with new children and adults, and the financial security your family is gaining.

Easing the Transition

No matter how you slice it, it will be hard being away from your baby. If you can, start back on half days to ease into the separation. Drop in at daycare during your lunch hour if logistically possible. Above all, make the most of the time you do have together with your child by making home a work-free zone.

Striking a Balance

In your premommy life, you may have set up certain expectations that you find yourself hard pressed to live up to now. It's time to redefine appropriate work limits, even if it means setting new boundaries. Coworkers and clients who felt free to contact you before via pagers, cell phones, and instant messaging, day or night, now need to be gently guided to restricting contact to the office or at least re-evaluating the urgency of their issues before trying to reach you. Getting some control back over your time might be as simple as gradually ridding yourself of all the extra gadgetry that makes you painfully accessible and encouraging your colleagues to leave you a voice mail or an e-mail.

Women who work nontraditional schedules can have special needs for achieving balance. Evening “daycare” can be tough to find without friends or relatives in the area, and schedules that change on a weekly basis can make child care even more difficult to plan on. Talk to your supervisor candidly about your needs and see whether a shift change or a more permanent schedule can be arranged. If you're a dependable and valued employee, your employer would rather work with you to retain your skills and experience.