Working While Pregnant

Before I begin exploring with you Trimester #2, I'd like to take the time to discuss issues some women face when working while pregnant.

I need to preface this by saying that I am in an amazing situation. I work 32-35 hours a week and have control of what hours I work each day. This has allowed me to tailor my schedule to my needs over the past 8 months. That being said, I know that I am spoiled and in many ways cannot relate to women having to work 40-80 hours a week. Still, I have advice for women working through their pregnancy.

1. Try to work out a schedule that fits both you and your employer. I, for example, was working 4 days a week at 8 hours a day. I have changed this to working 4 days a week for 7 hours a day and one day for 4 hours. It works because I have more time in the morning and afternoons to rest instead of one day to try to catch up on all of my rest.

2. TAKE FOOD WITH YOU: During the first trimester, I struggled greatly with fatigue, fatigue that I'm pretty sure I could have prevented with regular snacking. Take a lunchbox with you with nutrient rich snacks to keep you going. Things that I have enjoyed are apples, bananas, peanut butter crackers, reduced fat cheese and crackers, carrots, etc.

3. Take breaks. Even if they are as frequent as 1 break an hour, take the time to stand up, walk around, and stretch. If you're really tired, see if you can find a quiet place to take a 10 minute nap.

4. Drink water. Take a large bottle (the sturdy kind that you can refill) of water with you and refill. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.

5. Talk with your doctor if the job that you work requires heavy lifting, chemical or radiation exposure or if you are on your feet for extended periods of time.

6. Stay stress-free at home. Leave work at work. Indulge in a pre-natal massage. Let yourself be pampered by your significant other. Let your significant other take care of the laundry and the dishes for a bit while you catch up on your rest.

7. Wear comfortable shoes. Yes, Halle Berry wore heels well into her third trimester, but that doesn't mean that you have to. There are plenty of stylish flats out there that will help keep you comfortable as things begin to swell!

8. Carpool if possible. Take turns either with your spouse or with someone heading the same direction you are to ease up on the stress of commuting.

9. Cut some of your extracurricular activities. Pregnant women are not invalid, but they can be very exhausted by all of the physical changes taking place in their bodies. Don't be ashamed to step out of current activities. I, for example, had to cut church choir for the past three months. Why? Two reasons: 1. So tired by the end of the work day. 2. So hot underneath the choir robe every Sunday. After I almost passed out two Sundays in one month, I decided it was time to take a break!

I hope that this helps someone who's work may be wearing them out!

Sara