Survive Work Whilst Pregnant With These 5 Tips By Vicki Renz

Congratulations you are pregnant! Now what? With all the symptoms that pregnancy brings with it, the next weeks could find you feeling emotional, exhausted, irritated, nauseous and cross legged – as you try to control your bladder during long meetings! 

How can you survive work whilst pregnant? These 5 tips by Vicki Renz will help you to feel confident, calm and collected during what can be the most exciting times of your life.

Tip One – Learn about Pregnancy Symptoms

Key to being able to concentrate whilst at work. Some pregnancy symptoms are commonly spoken about, like nausea and fat ankles, whereas other symptoms, like scalp pain or a sore belly button are less heard of. 

Your body is going to change, a lot. Trying to concentrate at work whilst worrying why your scalp is burning (example) is not conducive to a productive day. Thousands of women find themselves distracted; scrolling for answers and going off on tangents. 

Find a reliable and qualified source of information and stick to it. 

Tip Two – What You Need in Your Handbag

Feel confident that your handbag contains your personal survival kit for every pregnancy situation:

• Tissues for pregnancy congestion and teary moments
• Sanitary pads for overactive bodily fluids
• Ginger biscuits and lemon flavoured boiled sweets
• Lemon and peppermint essential oils to counter fatigue and nauseating smells
• Bra pads – in case you start leaking
• Water and vitamin drinks for hydration and energy
• Nutritious quick energy snacks to get you through long afternoons

Tip Three – Take care of your posture

Your body will change shape fast as your baby grows. How many pregnant women do you hear complaining about their “lower back pain”. “pelvic girdle pain” or “sciatica”? Support your body and ensure good circulation. Be prepared and take preventative action. 

Your muscles and tendons will become looser as the pregnancy hormone relaxin prepares your body for birth. Your lower spine will start to curve more and your butt muscles will tighten in order to counter extra weight and maintain your centre of balance. 

If you are sitting for long periods, support your lower back (use a lumbar roll or improvise). Keep both feet firmly on the floor, or elevated on a foot stool. Wear a belly support band. Get up and move around regularly. Squeeze and release muscles in your ankles and butt whilst sitting.

If you are standing for long periods, supportive shoewear is crucial. Keep your lower back in check; if your spine is curving too much, get a maternity belt to help distribute your weight.  

Tip Four – Baby brain to do list

“Baby brain” happens because your subconscious is busy thinking about your baby. How can it not be whilst your body is busy being pregnant! Hardly surprising that you are less able to concentrate and perhaps more forgetful than usual. 

Keep two “To Do” Lists: one for work and one for everything baby related. Whenever a baby thought pops into your head, you can quickly jot it down and get back to what you were working on. This way, you know you have the thought safely logged for later. 

Block time in your calendar specifically for baby organisation. Preparing for the arrival of your baby can feel overwhelming; especially the first time. There is so much to think about, to research, to prepare, to learn and to buy. By blocking time for baby organisation, you will feel more under control knowing you have specific time and space planned. 

Tip Five – Get a good night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep may not be as easy as you thought! Not sleeping well can really impact how well you can function the following day.

Pregnancy insomnia could wake you up at 3am and dreams so vivid that you question if they were real or not. As your pregnancy progresses you may be kept awake by leg cramps, nasal congestion, hunger or heartburn. 

What you need for a good night’s sleep:

• Iron and magnesium rich foods or supplements to support good circulation
• A “U” or “C” shaped pregnancy pillow for posture and deep relaxation
• A journal next to your bed for writing down thoughts keeping you awake
• A diffuser and 100% organic essential oils (pregnancy safe) to moisten the air and allow deeper breathing
• Midnight snacks such as energy bars or bananas, to save a trip to the kitchen