What really happens to your body when you return to work after maternity leave

There is nothing quite like that first morning back to work after your maternity leave. And if you haven't experienced it, it's hard to explain. After our son was born, I dreaded my return to work. After an unexpected stay in the NICU and three months inside during a particularly cold winter, I knew I was ready to get out of the house. I needed something, but at the same time, the thought of leaving my son was heart wrenching.
My first day back to work, I set out everything I would need. I had work clothes that actually fit, a pump and bottles, and healthy snacks, but I still wasn't ready. I sat in the rocking chair in his room staring at that perfect little face and cried.
Every day, new mothers return to work after maternity leave and the transition can be more difficult than expected. From anxiety to troubles with breastfeeding, mothers face new challenges in the workplace, but are rising to meet them. Here are some of the changes you could experience when going back to work, and tips to make them easier.