Be Kind to Yourself if You’re Pregnant and Working
Most of us get pregnant and think we can just power through it like we do challenging and stressful times at work, but pregnancy is a whole different ballgame. I told myself nothing had to change when I got pregnant, and I could continue taking on all I did prior to sporting a bump.
However, I learned very quickly as I ran back and forth from the bathroom throughout the first 16 weeks and waddled out of breath up and down the stairs to my office until giving birth that the little boy in my stomach had other plans.
I was getting my first taste of true motherhood.
So, when my husband and I planned to start trying for our second, I smartened up and prepared to implement these 4 practices into my working ways.
1. Take Inventory – Be honest about how you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally. Pregnancy brings changes to all three, so you need to adjust if (and when) limitations present themselves. Then, you need to check in with yourself throughout the 40 weeks. If you find you’re too much of a natural pusher to do this, be comfortable with reaching out to trusted colleagues or friends. Ask their opinions. Those closest to you who always stand up and hold you accountable when need be will also be the ones to tell you when you need to slow down. And this way you don’t have to feel guilty about it.
2. Give Yourself a Break – Once it comes to light that you are overdoing it or burning out, allow yourself to pull back and keep absolutes out of your mouth.
I absolutely need to finish this today.
I absolutely need to go to that event.
I absolutely need to speak on this webinar.
The only absolute you need to abide by is to do what is absolutely necessary for you and your baby’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Of course, it’s easier said than done in the heat of workplace battles but try to balance emotion and logic appropriately.
3. Be Comfortable Saying No – It’s hard to say no at work, but it’s necessary, especially during pregnancy. You must start by asking yourself a series of questions when that yes/no question is popped.
If I say yes, what will I be missing out on?
If I say yes, what do I gain?
if I say no, how does it impact me?
4. Create a Desk Stash – Ever heard of pregnancy cravings or aversions? Any pregnant woman needs to have a stash of snacks in her desk, whether that’s to help curb nausea or put an end to hunger. In addition to snacks, the stash should include vitamin B-6 for morning sickness, sea bands for the same, and nose plugs if your desk is too close to the office lunchroom. As someone who ran to the bathroom at the smell of cooking meat two blocks away during pregnancy, this is a MUST.
As women, we feel like we can and should push through anything. Especially those of us who had children later in life, focusing on our careers first. We’ve all had busy weeks, right? So why would things have to change during pregnancy? Because your most stressful week doesn’t hold a candle to pregnancy during your most manageable week at work.
How were you able to best pace yourself at work while pregnant? Share your thoughts by commenting below.