There’s still plenty of time before your baby bump makes its grand debut. Even though you don’t look the part of a pregnant mama just yet, you’re already starting to feel the symptoms. On top of the tiredness, morning sickness, and occasional bouts of glee (when you think of that cute little baby growing inside of you), you have to deal with work. Don’t stress. It’s totally manageable (no, really, it is). If you’re working and in your first trimester, check out our top tips for handling the first weeks of pregnancy as a working mom.
1. Switch up your sleep pattern. In your pre-pregnancy days, you were completely fine with going to bed at midnight (and that was after having drinks with friends, a late dinner, and answering a zillion work emails). Sure, you were sort of sleepy at your 8am meeting, but that didn’t really bother you. Now you’re really dragging. It’s normal to feel extra tired when you’re pregnant, especially in the early days. Here’s a solution: Switch up your sleep pattern. Make sure to go to bed early enough so that you feel well rested in the morning. This might mean shifting your schedule around — answer those work emails right after an early dinner — and saying “no” to going out every night.
2. Take a break. You’re tired, you’re cranky, and your hormones are going haywire. It’s normal to feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster early in your pregnancy. One moment you’re ready to burst with absolute joy, and the next, you’re in tears. Your S.O. is getting used to the pregnancy-induced hormone frenzy, but your coworkers are totally clueless. Hey, there’s no shame in being emotional right now. You can’t help it. Even so, breaking down in the middle of a morning meeting isn’t exactly professional. If you’re feeling fragile, simply excuse yourself for a moment, regain your composure, and go on with your awesome day!
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Staying hydrated is an absolute must when you’re preggo. This is extra important if you’re dealing with morning sickness and are vomiting. Keep a bottle of water handy, stash it in your desk drawer, or carry it in your purse at all times. Add a slice of lemon or a hint of mint to combat some of the queasiness that you might be feeling.
4. Get your snack on. Morning sickness isn’t just for mornings. You’re feeling a bit seasick all day long — and it’s getting in the way of your work productivity. Instead of waiting until lunch to eat, break up your meals into smaller portions and eat them more frequently. Keep crackers and cheese, nuts, or dried fruits nearby to nosh on throughout your day. This will help to calm your belly and make it easier to get through the day.
5. Tell your boss. Along with the physical issues of your first trimester, you’re starting to wonder if and when you should tell your boss you’re pregnant. Keep in mind, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) stops your employer from discriminating against you right now. They can’t fire you for being pregnant, demote you, or suddenly cut your salary — that is, for any reason having to do with your pregnancy. So, the decision is yours. Obviously, you’re going to need to tell your boss at some point, but you don’t need to stress about it.
6. Clue in your coworkers. You’ve told your boss, and now you’re wondering when to tell your coworkers. Plenty of pregnant women wait until the end of their first trimester to tell friends or even family. If you’re not all that close to your coworkers, wait until you’ve told those closest to you. Seriously, why should Jane from accounting know about your baby before your BFF? That said, if morning sickness means you’re constantly running to the bathroom or your coworkers are starting to think you’re lazy because you’ve drifted off in a few staff meetings, you might want to clue them in. They may already know what’s up, and who knows, they might even throw you a baby shower!
What’s your biggest worry about being pregnant at work? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
