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For many pregnant women who also happen to work, one of the sources of anxiety is when and how to break the news to their boss, especially if they are not sure what the reaction will be.  The answer to that question will depend on many factors that are unique to your individual situation.  I told my manager when I was about three and a half months pregnant, but I have also known women who waited until their fifth or even seventh month before notifying their bosses.  A few things to consider are:

• How far along you are in your pregnancy and how much you are showing.  You definitely don’t want to wait so long that your manager can tell that you are pregnant before you say anything.  As a courtesy, it makes sense to let them know before it becomes obvious.
• Whether you have any medical issues or health concerns.  If you are suffering from severe pregnancy symptoms or have any other health concerns that need to be addressed, you should notify your workplace as soon as possible so that the proper accommodations can be made.  If you need to leave earlier due to “morning sickness” or take a longer lunch break for your doctor’s appointment, having your manager aware of your situation might make them more accommodating.
• How family-friendly is the culture at your place of work.  This is something that you should be able to gauge for yourself and by talking to other women who have been pregnant at your company.  This may differ vastly from one workplace to the next, so it will require your judgement as to whether you feel comfortable sharing the news early on or waiting.

Regardless of the above considerations, there are both federal and state laws that offer protection against discrimination, such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.  These laws might offer you protection if you feel that you’ve been treated differently or passted up for promotion due to being pregnant (you do have to perform your job, however.)

Once you’ve decided to tell your boss, make sure to go into the meeting prepared.   Rather than just mentioning it to him or her casually, set aside some time to talk in private.  Come prepared with a specific proposal for when and for how long you plan to take your maternity leave (read this article for more on that), as well as ideas for how your absence can be mitigated.  Be honest and up-front about your plans.  This will help address your manager’s chief concerns as well as show that you are being proactive.  However, you should also be ready to compromise if needed - such as being more flexible on the timing of your leave.  Your boss will be much more supportive if they know that you are working with them, rather than being set on your own terms.

Although it may feel a bit awkward, having that first conversation with your boss will be an important step in easing at least some of the anxiety and uncertainty associated with being pregnant on the job.  If you are fortunate enough to have a supportive boss (and I do believe that most of them are!), it will make balancing your pregnancy and work much easier.

This is the second article in the “Pregnancy & Work” series.

One of the first things that you’ll need to start thinking about as soon as you learn that you are pregnant, is what are your plans for working during your pregnancy and after the delivery.  While nine months may seem like a long enough time, it’s amazing how quickly they fly by, and the earlier you start planning, the better prepared and less stessed-out you will be.

If you are like me, and this is your first baby, you may feel competely lost and unsure where to begin.  Here are a few tips to help you get started with the planning process:

1. Decide how long you want to continue working prior to delivery.  This will largely depend on your job.  With some jobs that require little physical strain you may be able to work up until the delivery.  With other jobs, that are more physically demanding, it may be wise to stop working or transfer to another job earlier.  The stress level of your job should also be an important consideration, because high level of stress on a regular basis can be harmful to both you and your baby.  Because so much depends on your individual situation, you should discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible and get their recommendation.  If your doctor does recommend taking an early leave from your job, you will need to begin planning for that as soon as possible.
2. Decide how much time you want to take afterwards.  While you will not be able to return to your work immediately, how much time you take for the early bonding period depends on your preference, personal circumstances, and other options available to you.  My goal has been to make that period as long as possible because it is important to me to stay home for at least the first few months of my daughter’s life.  But if you have a strong support network (such as the baby’s grandparents, other relatives, or even the baby’s father) who can take care of the baby early on, you might be able to return back to work sooner.
3. Research your options.  Make sure to speak to an HR representative in your company to find out what maternity leave options are available.  There may be several, such as:
   • The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which allows for twelve weeks of unpaid leave and the same or equivalent position when you return.
   • State laws that may allow for some disability benefit related to pregnancy (for example, the state of California provides 6 weeks of partial wages for the bonding time with your newborn).
   • Your company’s plan, which may provide additional pay and benefits for the new mother (and, in many cases, father).
   • Using your vacation time, since you probably won’t be going on any vacations for a while anyway.
   • Taking an unpaid leave of absence, which some companies may allow you to do above and beyond the twelve weeks guaranteed under the FMLA.
4. Talk to other mothers.  As I was trying to navigate my way through the maze of the various laws and disability plans, I found myself getting very confused.  Talking to the other women who have had babies in the last few years has helped me better understand the options available, as well as make decisions regarding how long (and when) I want to take off.  Having a support network of other women who could share with me their experiences has probably been the best way for me to do a “reality check” on my maternity leave plans.

This is the first article in the “Pregnancy & Work” series.

Work can be hard enough by itself, and working while you are pregnant presents its own set of challenges.  Not only do you have to deal with the physical symptoms of being pregnant, such as morning sickness and fatigue, but you also want to make sure that you take care of yourself and the baby by staying healthy and safe.  While most of us can continue to work safely throughout our pregnancy, we still need to make certain adjustments to our work habits.

Having been a dedicated employee for many years, the first and most important change that I had to make was in my attitude towards work.  While I still take my job very seriously, it is no longer my first priority; now my own well-being and that of my baby come first.  I realized that work will always be there, no matter what, but my main responsibility now is that of a mother.  Making this shift in perspective has helped me tremendously in relieving stress and achieving a greater balance between my work and personal life.

Here are some other tips that have helped me cope with pregnancy at work:

• Take it easy.  I often used to stay late at work to finish up a project, but after I got pregnant I found myself getting fatigued much sooner.  Instead of pushing myself to work harder, I now try to work not more than eight hours per day, whenever possible.  Even if I have an important project, but my body is telling me that it needs rest, I stop what I’m doing and go home early.  Nine times out of ten you can finish that “important” project first thing in the morning.
• Eat well.  Proper nutrition is critically important when you are pregnant.  Make sure you take time to eat proper meals (put them on your schedule, if you have to) and keep a supply of healthy snacks within your reach.  Listen to your body and make sure to eat something whenever you feel hungry.  Being pregnant, I now need to eat something every couple of hours, so I have started stashing snacks in my office.  I keep some yogurt, cheese, and vegetable juice in the fridge at work and some nutrition bars, almonds and fruit in my desk or purse.  This way, whenever I feel hungry, I can reach for something healthy to feed my appetite.
• Drink water.  It is important to stay hydrated when you are pregnant, so make sure you have lots of water with you while you work.  I typically bring a large refillable bottle of filtered water from home and try to finish it during the day. 
• Take breaks.  If your job requires you to sit for prolonged periods of time, make sure that you get up from your desk and walk around every hour or so, which helps your circulation.  If you are on your feet all day, use the break time to sit down or lie down to elevate your feet.  I also go outside at least once during the day to take in some fresh air.
• Watch your stress levels. When the stress of your job starts to get to you, take a break and try to distance yourself from the stressful situation.  Close your eyes, take a deep breath, take a walk outside or lie down for a few minutes.  Remember that the baby you are carrying inside is the greatest blessing and miracle, and there is nothing that’s more important right now or that cannot be solved later. 

Please remember: take care of yourself first!