As soon as you learn you’re pregnant, you’ll be wondering how it will affect your work life. Vhi Midwife Support Service Manager Breda Crotty can answer all those big pregnancy questions, from when you should tell your colleagues to when you can take maternity leave…

It’s important that pregnant women are able to continue living their lives as normally as possible. Confidence in the workplace is vital in this. Rather than dealing with every challenge as it arises, some advanced planning and a willingness to use the supports around you will offer peace of mind and a clear path forward. Preparation is key and that can start as soon as you learn you’re pregnant.

Factoring in work

It’s preferable to tell your line manager about your pregnancy as soon as you are comfortable. They are going to be pivotal in providing reassurance and answers for all the questions swimming around your head: ‘what am I entitled to?’, ‘when do I go on maternity leave?’ and so on. Your human resources department will have a big role to play in equipping you with all of that information. So, having that quiet chat as soon as you are ready should help to allay concerns and make you feel supported. It’s also an opportunity to explore a risk assessment of your workplace environment, if so required.

Safety first

The health and safety guidance will depend on your type of job. There are certain jobs people simply won’t be able to do. For example, flight attendants are advised not to fly as soon as they get pregnant.

Those roles aside, there are other considerations. Do you work night shifts? Are you exposed to certain chemicals? Are there other environmental risks that may be unique to your work environment that need to be considered? For example, noise, vibrations, shocks, and excessive heat or cold could all come into play here. You also need to be conscious of the way you move, lift, pull and stand when you are pregnant. So manual labour might require some research. As ever, a healthcare professional can advise you.

Telling colleagues

Most people wait until they pass the 12-week mark before sharing the news with their wider team. You will have had your first scan, know your due date and be settling into your pregnancy by that point, so you’ll be in a better position to tell people.

Some women can understandably be cautious about telling other people. Maybe you’re a private person in general or you have concerns about being treated differently at work. You might be wondering if you will get preferential treatment and whether your “easier” workloads could cause tension, for instance. Try to remember that people will be eager to share in the joy of your news. Colleagues should wish you well and add to the support you have at your disposal. It also makes it easier to adjust to your symptoms. You won’t have the added stress of trying to hide morning sickness, an aching back or more frequent bathroom breaks!

Getting comfortable

Pregnant women will want to feel as comfortable as possible if they’re in the office. You’re likely to feel warmer and sweat more than usual during your pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and an increased flow of blood to the skin. So, access to air conditioning can be important. It can also be useful to gauge how far you need to walk to get a drink, and figure out if your breaks can be rescheduled to suit you better. When people are in a busy setting, time can slip away and they might find themselves skipping breaks and meals. That’s not a good idea, so all those things have to be managed very tightly. Self-care really is the most important thing. Practical planning can start with preparing for your working day the evening before – laying out your clothes, getting lunch and snacks pre-packed and so on. So, if you roll out of bed feeling groggy or nauseous, you won’t have those things to worry about in the morning. For the commute, consider wearing more comfortable, supportive footwear.

Protecting your wellbeing

It’s important to be kind to yourself. You might suddenly think ‘how am I going to manage this?’ when you learn you are pregnant. If you are stressed out, put yourself first. That’s hard for women who are used to managing teams or being in control of situations but this is a really special time in your life and it needs to be respected as such. You’re the priority now, so take time out when you need it. If you haven’t finished a document by the end of the working day, it can be better to close down the computer and tackle it when you’re fresh the next day. Your line manager should be understanding when you’re having an “off” day. As colleagues, most of us have either been through that experience or have people close to us who have, so you’ll probably find they’re only too happy to take over tasks when you need support.

You might have periods of poor concentration or forgetfulness – known as ‘baby brain’ – which won’t lend themselves to high productivity. Don’t be frustrated with yourself – it’s purely hormonal and completely normal. Just do what you can and keep communicating with those around you.

When you take care of yourself, work will fall into place. So, besides maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise is also recommended. Getting out of the workplace and going for a walk at lunchtime can boost your “happy hormones”. This can be as simple as sitting in the park, taking in nature and being mindful of your environment. These experiences will start to feel really profound during pregnancy; you’ll have a heightened awareness of the world around you and of life in general. It can ground you, put things in perspective, and help you manage stress. If your situation feels unmanageable, then it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider. 

Taking time off

Talk to your human resources department to get the full picture. Remember, you are entitled to take time off for medical visits connected with your pregnancy. You can take as much time as you need, including the time it takes to get to your appointments. You can also take paid time off for some antenatal classes. Your employer will assess any other health leave you might require.

You have the right to take 26 weeks’ maternity leave with maternity benefit, as well as an additional 16 weeks’ leave not covered by maternity benefit, regardless of the status of your employment. This includes at least two weeks before your baby is due, and at least four weeks after the baby is born.

The legislation is there to guide you, but always take advice from your employer and your healthcare provider and do what’s right for your particular set of circumstances. If you’re really struggling and think you need to step away from work, that’s a conversation to have with them straight away.

Preparing for maternity leave

This is a really exciting time. Most women find it hard to believe that they’ll be away for nearly an entire year. Forward-planning is key here as well. Make sure your team know in advance when you’re ready to go. A proper handover of your duties is helpful not just for them, but for giving you a sense of closure and achievement as you go out the door.

Family and friends can help you as you make the transition to being at home. The ‘nesting instinct’ will keep you somewhat busy as you prepare your house for the baby’s arrival, but they are the ones who will keep you entertained the rest of the time! That will help you allay some of the nerves as you look forward to this monumental event.

Embrace your experience

Of course, your baby might arrive sooner than expected. That can be a bit of a shock, as you think ‘all my best-laid plans are ruined!’ Don’t panic – you just need to go with the flow. Your family, friends and overall support structure will help you manage. It’s like that old expression: ‘it takes a village to raise a child’.

Once your baby is safely home and you are adapting to motherhood, it’s normal to feel isolated as a new parent. Everything is so new and you’ll be trying to figure out what’s normal. So having adult company is important while you’re away from the social environment of the workplace. If you have friends who are having babies around the same time, try to have regular meetups with them. You’ll also find ‘new parents’ support groups if you enquire at your local health centre. Becoming a parent really bonds you with other parents.

Above all, try to make the most of the time you have with your child. Don’t worry about work – it will still be there when you get back. This is a major event that’s worth celebrating and savouring.

Take a look at our Maternity Support Services available to help you through your journey. 

This content is for information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice from your GP or an appropriate medical professional if you have concerns about your health, or before commencing a new healthcare regime. If you believe that you are experiencing a medical emergency call 999 / 112 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

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