Combining pregnancy and a job can be a tad challenging. You have to deal with emotional ups and downs, cravings, fears, and work stress all at the same time. Besides that, you need to incorporate all of the check-ups, tests, and meetings into your schedule. So, is there an easy way to manage pregnancy and work?
If you follow these simple 5 strategies, you’ll be able to manage pregnancy symptoms and work undisturbedly. So, what are the tricks you need to learn?
1. Stay comfortable
One of the biggest problems many pregnant women face is staying comfortable in their workplace. You have a certain dress code you should follow; however, the baby bump is getting bigger and tight-fitted clothes are no longer an option. What can you do?
You can always purchase formal, but comfortable pregnancy clothes. On the other hand, if your company allows casual wear, no one is stopping you from hopping in those black leggings. Besides the clothes, make sure you adjust your work activities. Don’t do any heavy lifting and try to stay off your feet especially in the third trimester.
2. Schedule check-ups
Keeping up with check-ups, tests and appointments can be difficult if your job requires regular meetings with customers, clients, and partners. It can be quite tricky to keep up with your schedule, especially when your due date is near.
So, try to schedule your tests and check-ups before your workday begins, as you’ll probably feel too tired afterward. Keep a log or a journal of all your activities. Write down the time and date of doctor’s appointments and try to schedule your meetings and other activities around that. Your health comes first.
3. Deal with nausea
If you’re experiencing morning sickness, you’ve probably noticed that there are nausea triggers everywhere. Certain smells, food, and sights may cause you to become nauseous, and controlling that in the workplace can be extremely difficult. So, what you do to minimize these negative symptoms of pregnancy?
One of the first steps of dealing with nausea is keeping the window open. Unless it’s freezing outside, you’ll be able to breathe in the fresh air without disturbing your colleagues. Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps you manage nausea. In case you do vomit, rinse your mouth with water and refresh your face, neck, and arms with a wet cloth.
4. Meal prep
Food is one of the trickiest parts of pregnancy. Certain tastes and smells may trigger your nausea, and that’s why you need to be extremely cautious when eating during lunch break. You can’t forbid your colleagues from eating smelly cheese. However, you can avoid group dining.
To keep your and your baby’s health on a high level, make sure to intake all of the necessary nutrients. That’s why you need to consume pregnancy food that is carefully prepared according to your likings. Healthy, balanced meals for mums-to-be are the best way you can keep you and your baby healthy.
As you work from home, it’s easy to get distracted, and, for many people, that leads to snacking. Keep your fridge stocked with healthy food and snacks like apple slices and veggies so you can make a smart choice when you snack. If you have trouble moderating your portions, try prepping several meals at a time and package them in sensible portions.
5. Indulge in stress management
Emotional ups and downs, fatigue, and bursts of energy are all part of daily mood swings. When you add work stress on top of that, you might become an emotional mess, which is completely fine! However, for your and your baby’s well-being, you need to learn how to manage stress.
Try to include breathing exercises to calm down. That will help you recharge yourself with stress management. On top of that, don’t neglect time management. Staying organized is one of the crucial ways of reducing the stress you feel. Lastly, don’t neglect help, and don’t feel bad about needing it! You can always return the favor later. There are unplanned pregnancy support groups
which can be helpful too.
Conclusion
As you can see there are a couple of strategies that can help you stay calm and collected during your working hours. If you notice that by the end of the third trimester, you’re feeling unwell, make sure to take care of your health first and your job later. You can click here to learn more about how to handle your pregnancy well.
Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney-based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.