Pregnancy entails a lot of responsibility especially for “working soon to be moms” who have to adjust to this new phase in their lives. It is important to know the things to expect during and after pregnancy to help you cope properly.
During Pregnancy
The first trimester of your pregnancy is probably the most difficult part since your body is still adjusting and you’re likely to experience “morning sickness”, which entails frequent vomiting, mild cramping, and heaviness of the body making it difficult for you to get up in the morning to get ready for work.
It is important to talk to your boss and inform him of your pregnancy so he can understand if you need to take a leave or if you can’t stay late in the office. Nevertheless, you should still ensure that you don’t compromise your job with your pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy diet and drinking your vitamins will help your body adjust to pregnancy.
After Pregnancy
After giving birth, you’ll most likely have 2-3 months of rest before you get back to work. Take this opportunity to bond with your baby and plan and train your baby to be with somebody else.
Before leaving the baby for work, get a nanny ahead of time in order for the baby to get accustomed with her and not cry when you start leaving the house for work. Start with a few hours then slowly increasing the time you leave the baby with the nanny. It is also important to decide whether you will still continue breastfeeding or give your baby milk formulation. This way you’ll know whether to get a breast pump or not to supply breast milk during the time you’re away.
Aside from taking care of baby matters, it is also important to get your rhythm back for work by keeping in touch with your colleagues through email or telephone in order to have an idea of what’s going on in the office. Short visits before officially getting back to work is also helpful to get yourself accustomed again with the work environment.
Pregnancy gives fulfillment to women and does not necessarily mean an end to a great career. Proper planning and time management are the keys in successfully juggling work and motherhood. Keep in mind that family comes first, and the rest will eventually follow.