3 Tips for Working While Pregnant

Work Wednesday

Several friends of mine are currently pregnant.  They are all hard-working and career-minded ladies now faced with the unique challenge of juggling work deadlines, morning sickness, and their changing bodies.  It only seemed appropriate to reflect on my own, not too distant, experience by offering 3 tips for working while pregnant.

During the last couple of months of my pregnancy I was full of anticipation and excitement.  Not too mention an ever growing to do list.  I needed to ensure everything was tied up for my clients and that I was ready when the baby was.  However, my growing body was becoming increasingly weary as I entered the final stretch.  I wasn't able to work at my normal pace.  Instead, I needed to balance the needs of my body, my baby, and my work.

Juggling work and life is never easy - and seems to only get more difficult when you throw in increased hormones.  How do you attain this delicate balance of working while pregnant?  Through honesty, realistic expectations, and a little personal patience.

Be open to your clients.  Communication is critical here.  This is the time to identify priority items.  What needs to get done now, and what can wait until later (even until after your baby is born).  Setting up expectations for and your client will ensure that the appropriate amount of work is allocated and that everything that needs to get done does.

Be realistic.  Be realistic with your time.  You’ll probably need more then you think to complete tasks that traditionally took less time.  You're tired, hormonal, preoccupied, and trying to keep track of 101 different things at once - and you're probably dog tired too.  It's okay if that press release takes an hour longer to write.  Just make sure to account for your increased time needs when establishing your workload. 

Be kind to yourself.  Right now, if you're working while pregnant, you're not only dealing with work, but also the heat.  Remember to take it easy on yourself.  You are cooking up a peanut in there and that's no small feat!  There were five key items that helped me to get through even the toughest day:

1. Take a walk.  It's amazing what a little exercise, and fresh air, will do.
2. Eat a protein-rich snack.  Peanut butter sandwiches with walnuts were my go-to snack.
3. Drink plenty of water.  Add mint, lemon or cucumbers to make it a refreshing treat.
4. Write everything down.  I relied heavily on Post-it notes and Google Calendar for support.
5. Ask for help.  Sometimes you simply can't do it all.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.

This is a special time.  Relish in it and be sure to give yourself a break.  If you’re open, honest, and clear, then people around you (your networks, clients, and peers) will be patient, flexible, and most importantly - supportive.

How do you, or have you, managed pregnancy and working?  What tips do you have for other career-oriented women who are navigating this road for the first time?  What do you wish you would of done differently knowing what you know now?

(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/bDgiVC)