Whether you’re a working mom-to-be, an executive, or any other type of high-achieving woman, being pregnant while managing a professional life can be challenging.
But if you plan ahead and keep your doctor in the loop about your busy schedule, it doesn’t have to be all that stressful.
Working women should take these steps before conceiving to reduce the risk of complications from stress, travel, and other work-related activities: Check with your insurance company about coverage for fertility treatments, prenatal care, and delivery fees.
Consult with your Human Resources department about available maternity leave policies. Investigate possible daycare options that are affordable and meet zoning restrictions on animals (e.g., cats or dogs).
But let’s assume that you’ve already done all of this prep work and are ready to get knocked up. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy through pregnancy while still keeping up with your career and other responsibilities:
Plan Ahead For Prenatal Visits And Lab Work
You can’t just drop off a urine sample at Walgreens and expect your OB to interpret everything accurately.
Follow your doctor’s instructions and schedule routine appointments throughout the pregnancy. Be sure to mark the due dates on your calendar so you don’t miss any.
Because of your unique medical conditions, some prenatal lab tests, like blood screenings and ultrasounds, will take longer to process than they would for a non-pregnant woman.
Factor that into your schedule when possible so you don’t fall behind on your workload.
Stay Hydrated, No Matter How Busy You Are
Water is essential to maternal and fetal health. Drink at least eight glasses every day, more if you’re pregnant and living in a hot climate. Avoid drinking too many caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you and your fetus.
Many new moms-to-be forget to drink enough water after their babies are born, which can lead to urinary tract infections and other complications.
Stay hydrated by drinking water every day, even when you’re really busy.
Take Prenatal Vitamins And Folic Acid Consistently
Make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals by taking a daily prenatal vitamin. Most vitamins contain enough folic acid, which is essential for healthy fetal development.
If you’re still worried, ask your doctor if you should take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. You can also take prenatal supplements as well to achieve the same effect.
Keep your prenatal vitamins on your desk or in a kitchen drawer where you can see them easily. That way you’ll have no excuse to forget to take them each day.
Eat A Well-Balanced Diet While Continuing To Eat The Foods You Love
Pregnancy is not the time to become a vegetarian or vegan. You still need to get plenty of protein and calcium from meats, fish, dairy, and other protein-heavy foods.
Just be careful that you’re not eating so much that you’re putting on too much weight. You should gain between 25 and 35 pounds during your pregnancy, but gaining too much can pose major health risks for both you and your fetus.
If you’re not sure how much you should gain, talk to your doctor about a healthy weight gain for your body type.
Don’t Hesitate To Take A Break From Work When You Need One
If the work you’re doing is too stressful, you should either find a new job or talk to your boss to see what you can do to reduce your stress level.
If you’re worried about losing your job or being passed over for a promotion because of your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about what you should say or do.
You don’t have to mention the pregnancy, but you can say that you’re dealing with high levels of stress and that you think it would be better for everyone involved if you took a break from work for a few months.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it’s not without its complications and stress. By following the above tips, you can make sure that you stay healthy and happy throughout your pregnancy.
And when you welcome your new little bundle of joy into the world, you’ll be pleased that you took the time to care for yourself.
Now that you know what it takes to have a healthy pregnancy while being super busy, you have no excuse not to get that bun in the oven. So what are you waiting for? Get busy and start your family!
