Tips for Working Through Your Pregnancy

 

Many women continue working while they are pregnant, but depending on your job, things may become complicated at a certain point. (This is especially true if you work a job that requires physical labor.) Whether you plan to work all the way up until your due date or an earlier stage in your pregnancy, here are some solid tips to help you make it work.

Keep a stash of crackers at work

Morning sickness can make any job miserable, especially if the strong smells of food and coffee wafting from the break room make you feel especially nauseated. Keep a stash of crackers at work for easy, light snacking that will help stave off nausea. If crackers don’t help, ginger ale or tea might be a good alternative to keep on hand.

Drink tons of water

Keep a water bottle at your desk or work station throughout your workday to remind yourself to stay hydrated. Drink up and refill regularly throughout the day.

Take lots of frequent breaks

Sitting or standing for long periods when you’re pregnant can be difficult, so make sure to take short breaks often throughout the day to give your body a break. Walk circles around your office for five minutes or take a load off in the break room and prop your feet up for a few minutes to recharge.

Maintain a light exercise routine

As long as your doctor says it’s okay, maintaining a regular exercise routine that is appropriate during pregnancy can help boost your energy levels and keep you feeling great. Whether you take family walks around the neighborhood after dinner each evening or you enroll in a fitness class for pregnant women, staying active is key to a healthy pregnancy and will help you feel your best at work and home.

Work smarter, not harder

If you sit all day at work, try to elevate your legs to decrease swelling and make sure your chair supports your back. If not, use a small pillow to add extra support. If you work a physical job that requires a lot of standing, try standing with one foot propped up on a small stool and switch feet every so often. Support stockings, supportive shoes, and frequent breaks can also do wonders for you.

Join a Message Board for Pregnant Women

If you need additional tips for working while pregnant, you can also join an online message board for pregnant women. Topics and threads in these message boards are often full of great advice and tips from other mothers and mothers-to-be.

As you navigate your pregnancy and employment, you’ll likely find that other women are a great source of support and knowledge when it comes to pregnancy issues. Whether you rely on a message board for pregnant women, your mom, or your closest girlfriends, social support is one of the most important factors for working through pregnancy challenges.

Read a similar article about pregnancy advice here at this page.