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# 1 Don't be
a superwoman'! |
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Get
rest when you are not at work and reduce
household chores, especially when approaching
the delivery date. Studies show that one
and a half hour of extra rest makes a
lot of difference; uterine blood flow
increases, and the supply of oxygen and
other nutrients to your baby improves. |
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If
at all possible, lie down on your left
side for ten minutes during your lunch
break on a floor mat. Else, just rest
your head on the table or elevate your
feet. Relax your mind and body. |
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3 When exhaustion overtakes you, leave work
early |
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If
you are commuting to work using public
transportation, don't be afraid to ask
for assistance with regards to a seat,
if necessary, from the conductor or driver. |
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4 Negotiate a flexible work schedule |
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Work
out a schedule that suits your health.
If you suffer from morning sickness, ask
about coming in later and ending your
workday later. On the other hand if you
are an early riser and get tired easily
in the afternoon, ask to come in early
and end your workday early. |
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5 Telecommute whenever possible |
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Try
and work out such that you can group assignments
and attend office 2-3 times a week. The
balance days of the week when your presence
at the office is not necessary, you can
work from home. Another alternative is
to work part of the day at the office
and part of the day from home but ascertain
you are always open for office contact.
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6 Ask for help |
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If
a project or assignment is causing your
health to suffer, speak up to your boss
about getting the help of a coworker or
even a temp worker to fill in for you.
If need be, request the project be reassigned
to someone else and take a less stressful
assignment. |
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7 Snack - time |
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To
maintain energy levels and to avoid nausea
& heartburn (common ailments of pregnancy),
stock up a selection of snacks to work
and eat something every few hours. |
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#
8 Pregnancy emergency kit |
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Keep
the kit in your desk drawer. It should
contain lemon hard candies to beat nausea,
an extra pair of undies or sanitary napkin
for incontinence accidents, an Evian face
mister for instant cool-offs, and a cache
of crackers, pretzels, wafer cookies for
snacking. |
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9 Write notes |
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Maintaining
a notebook at all times can offset memory
loss in the first trimester. Note down
important work reminders. Jot down anything
you consider important for you to remember
or act on. |
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10 Heroine you are not! |
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If
possible, start your maternity leave a week
or 2 prior to your due date to give yourself
ample time to rest before the big day. |
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The Final Word
You will probably
decide on discontinuing work either on
your doctor's advice or exhaustion. There
are certain guidelines you should follow
to minimize health complications that
can worsen if you are working.
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If your job is
more rigorous in nature entailing
heavy lifting, climbing or bending
below the waist you should stop work
by week 20. But if you have moderate
load to tackle with rest periods in
between, you can continue working
till about week 28. However you should
consider giving up your job after
conception if you are carrying more
than one baby, had a previous miscarriage,
or premature birth. Cut back on your
work hours if you have been diagnosed
with gestational diabetes or high
blood pressure. Bottom-line: listen
to your doctor's advice on when to
quit your job, how many hours you
can afford to put in and the nature
of job you can continue with. Don't
ignore your doctor's recommendations,
no matter what your financial status.
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If your job requires
you to be on your feet all day, you
should consider switching to desk
job or stopping work beginning in
your 24th week. If your job requires
you to spend more than 30 minutes
out of every hour on your feet, consider
shifting to something sedentary by
week 32.
Returning to
work after baby: Much
of this depends on how you feel and the
health of your baby. If all is well then
returning to work is a personal choice.
Whether you decide to take 3 whole months,
less or more, some workday precautions
apply as when you were pregnant.
- Avoid fatigue by taking short naps.
- Try to arrange to work from home
sometimes.
- Go back part time rather full time
until your body readjusts to your previous
schedule.
- Push for a flexible work routine
in order to accommodate to your baby's
needs.
Above all, don't be
afraid to enlist your husband's help with
household and baby chores. Make certain
to visit your doctor for a complete checkup
before returning work. Take time out if
despite your leave you still feel you
need a break. |
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