If you’re like me, keeping a lid on your first-trimester pregnancy excitement may be a tough ask. As a career gal, keeping pace with your usual workload or work style may be challenging. After all, while you’re busy at work, your body is going into overdrive, growing another human on the inside. With all the physical, emotional, and mental changes, how tf do you keep your shit together and pregnancy under the radar for months?
Remember your health and body are no one’s business period (or no period)
While it can feel awkward to make up excuses for doctor appointments or try to cover up nausea, the real deal is that you don’t HAVE to. The truth is, it’s no one’s business. Check your HR or employee policy, get up to speed with what you’re entitled to, and then…..
Use the resources at your disposal.
Seriously, screw the hustle, work like a man culture. If you have sick days, you’re entitled to or the option for flexible working hours, tap into them if needed. I say this knowing that while I was in my early days of pregnancy, I worked a decent amount of 12-16 hour days. I hustled on multiple pitches. But I also took sick days when needed and made doctor appointments work around my work schedule and vice versa. *** Personal days, sick days, PTO, work-from-home options, and flexible working hours exist to benefit employees and employers – so don’t be afraid to use them.
What if people catch on?
See above – it’s no one’s damn business, and if someone is rude enough to put you on the spot or ask if you’re pregnant – they’re the a-hole, not you.
Snacks. All. The. Time.
Whatever works for you. Getting stuck without snacks or food you can eat (e.g., catered work lunches, being in long meetings, missing meals, etc.) is not cool while you’re pregnant, especially if you suffer from nausea. Keeping protein bars, a banana, a stash of nuts, or whatever portable snack you like handy could save you pain and keep you going through the workday. Desperate, I once made a makeshift lunch with carrots, string cheese, and a banana. My colleagues called me out for my “middle schooler lunch,” but it got food in my tummy and gave me what I needed!
Reassess your boundaries and prioritize.
Everyone should do this, pregnant or not. Figuring out your boundaries is crucial to looking after yourself properly. Your mental, physical, and baby health relies on you being in the right place at the right time to care for yourself properly. From doctor appointments to bed rest and exercise – once you’ve figured out what’s most important to you, adjust your schedule accordingly and book your doctor appointments and scans as far in advance as possible. This way, you can do your best to work your pregnancy needs into your life and schedule.
Learn what your new limits are, and recharge your battery.
It’s easy to forget that you must adjust to the new limits and limitations of your body and mind during pregnancy. In my first trimester, I often forgot that my body was changing, that I tired quickly, and would set out to do “normal” things I’d always done. But simple things like walking up and down the subway stairs, staying awake and engaged during social events, and remembering people’s names became difficult. And that’s OK – your goal should be to learn to adapt to the new you, rest, and recharge as needed.
*** I understand this is a privileged position. I’m working on a piece about privilege in pregnancy, stay tuned..
