Pregnancy is a major step in your life – and it should be given the attention and care it deserves. That doesn’t mean that the rest of your life stops. Some might even find themselves having to work while pregnant. Here are some ways you can make that difficult circumstance work in your favor.
Work From Home
Remote work is an alternative to traditional, office-based workspace practices. It’s gotten especially popular since the pandemic – with many more companies and businesses offering a remote work option when they didn’t before. This might just be the alternative that you’ve been looking for. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the comforts of home (your bed, your food, your family close by to help you out) without compromising on the funds that you receive from work. In some cases, you may find that the remote work option comes with reduced hours. This may or may not be a good thing for you – so make sure to communicate with your employers about your needs.
Take Breaks
Pregnancy is one of the most difficult physical and emotional processes that a human being can regularly go through. Be gentle with yourself! Try to know your limits. Don’t hold yourself to the same standard of work that you did before your pregnancy. Know when to take breaks, and for how long. A break might simply be sitting in peace for five minutes. It might be using the bathroom for as long as you may need. Meditation can help you reduce stress during the early stages of pregnancy as well – so don’t be afraid to prioritize your mental health.
Communicate With Your Work
Every workplace and every employer are different and have different policies. It’s essential that you talk with them and figure out which accommodations will work best for both parties. Remote work and more frequent breaks are two versions of that. If you have the right kind of position, you might even find yourself able to obtain paid time off for maternity leave that covers pregnancy. Unfortunately, that’s not always the standard – and you need to know what you can expect from your workplace before you find yourself in the most difficult stages of pregnancy.
Every pregnant individual is going to have different needs as well. Some will feel comfortable working while pregnant – others will have a harder time with it, and that’s okay. Figure out where you stand early on and take the necessary steps in order to make a feasible plan.
Check out this article on life events that can trigger mental health issues!