Working part-time or full-time when expecting a baby can be a juggling act that appropriately foreshadows the juggling act you’ll have to perform when you become a working mom. While pregnancy can be exciting, working while pregnant can be difficult for some women, especially if they already have children. For instance, the side effects and discomfort pregnancy brings on, such as morning sickness, nausea, fatigue, interrupted sleep, headaches, back pain, neck pain, and changing hormones, can bring on new challenges and impact the way a mom-to-be works. However, following the tips listed below, you can alleviate these effects and make this period in your personal life and career a little bit easier.
Talk to your boss as soon as possible.
It’s common for most people to spread the news about their pregnancy to others once they progress past the first trimester. Tell your colleagues about your impending little bundle when you’re comfortable enough to do so, but be sure to tell your boss first. You’d rather your boss hear the news straight from you than through the workplace grapevine. Talk with your boss and ensure your plans for leaving align with your company’s maternity leave policy. To guarantee your absence won’t disrupt the workflow, consider making a list of all your responsibilities and meet with your boss and team members about having others cover these tasks. Try staying in touch with your team as much as you can while you’re away, but don’t overextend yourself too much. Your time on leave is for you to get to know your new baby, enjoy them, and let your body and mind recover.
Make yourself as comfortable as you can.
An expectant mother’s body changes with her growing baby’s development, so the clothes she wears should change too to ensure maximum comfort. Most retailers have fashionable business wear for pregnant women available and have online shopping options, enabling you to go on an in-person or virtual shopping spree. Stock your wardrobe with womens pants, blouses, dresses, skirts, and more that have a perfect fit for the ever-changing state of your body. After working all day, you’ll be glad you relied on comfortable shoes and dress pants that feel good at the waist, hips, and legs. For extra comfort, purchase casual pants and sweatpants you can change into after work.
Take care of your body and mind.
Many pregnant women work up until their anticipated due date. If you intend to do the same, you should prioritize physical and mental wellness. For example, if you sit for long durations at work, consider moving as much as you can during breaks, as sitting can compromise your circulation and cause your legs to ache. Try standing up, stretching, and walking to keep your blood pumping. Also, try using prenatal yoga as an outlet for relaxation and connecting with your body at a deeper level.
A crucial way of caring for yourself is to attend every prenatal checkup with your doctor. In addition to regularly seeing your obstetrician and gynecologist, consider seeing a chiropractor. As your unborn baby continues pushing your abdomen outward and changing your posture, the realignment of your center of gravity over your hips puts stress on your joints and muscles, resulting in neck, shoulder, pelvic, and lower back pain. Receiving chiropractic care from an expert chiropractor—such as the best pregnancy chiropractor in Midtown NYC—can help you improve your balance, prepare for the birth process, reduce labor time, and foster postpartum healing. Your pregnancy is a time of immense physical, emotional, and biochemical changes. Still, you can enjoy your pregnancy and still get your work done like a boss by keeping your spine and nervous system functioning properly and getting plenty of rest.