The phrase “working mother” is redundant. ~Jane Sellman
Congratulations!
Learning you have become pregnant is very exciting. It can also be very stressful and overwhelming – especially if this is your first baby.
Pregnancy Is Normal!
Pregnancy and birth is a normal part of life not a disease or an affliction and the vast majority of pregnancies and births will go along just fine without intervention. There are some things that you can do to help ensure you and your baby will have a happy healthy pregnancy and a pleasant birthing experience.
When Should I Share The News?
Some people want to shout their pregnancy news from the rooftops the second a test turns positive (full disclosure- I am one of these people) others prefer to keep things quiet and wait for the first trimester to pass before sharing the news. As far as I can tell there are two lines of thought for these opinions.
Shout From The Rooftops!
For the women who want to shout the news loud and proud the second she learns she is pregnant, it is because she is excited/nervous/overwhelmed and wants to share those feelings with others. A more practical reason is because typically- the first trimester can be very challenging and hard with morning sickness and fatigue.
She wants to have other people to help her through the rough spots and not suffer in silence alone. I also wanted to share the news, in case something did happen; I wanted to have the help and support of others.
By sharing the news early I could access the advice of experienced mothers and get their advice on what to buy in preparation for my child.
Keep It Secret!
The other group- who prefer to keep things quiet often feel that it is best to make sure that all is well with the pregnancy before announcing it to the world. Often these people are afraid something tragic will happen (and the first trimester is typically when pregnancy loss occurs) and they do not want to share that grief with the world.
Compromise!
It does not have to be one way or the other. There are compromises to be had. Maybe telling everyone is too much, but telling no one is also not feasible. So consider tell a few trusted friends/ colleagues/ or family and ask that the information stay quiet.
This way, there will be help if morning sickness is a problem, fatigue is an issue or there are other problems- but everyone and their dogs do not know about the baby.
Telling My Employer!
Keeping pregnancy news quiet can be hard particularly if there are complications. Telling about the news can be difficult especially at work. Some fields and jobs are more accepting of the idea and able to offer more support and accommodation.
I have found that it is best to tell your supervisor in person (if possible) and in private. Do not let them hear the news from the office gossip.
Go to your supervisor or boss with solutions to possible problems. By coming prepared with solutions you show that you are taking your job seriously and are thinking long term. In the same vein, know your rights. Know what legal protections are offered and understand all of the ins and outs surrounding them.
Having a Normal and Healthy Pregnancy is Natural
Women are designed to bear children; pregnancy is a normal part of our life cycle and does usually not need to be medically managed. There are some things that women can do even before conception to ensure a positive pregnancy experience.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including staying at a healthy weight, eating a balanced and healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress a woman can improve her chances of a healthy pregnancy and a positive natural birth experience.
A lot of Obstetricians in the US advise women to take a prenatal vitamin before conception as a way to make sure that a woman is getting all of the necessary nutrients. Conversely, a lot of midwives suggest taking a vitamin only if getting necessary nutrients is not possible via diet. I tend to stay on the side of the midwives; especially in the pre-pregnancy days.
About Christobel:
Christobel is an active grandmother who enjoys sharing what she has learned via motherhood and grandmotherhood with mothers and readers worldwide. The internet, she has learned, is the perfect avenue for reaching large numbers of people without leaving the comforts of her home. By reading cloth diaper reviews as well as numerous other baby and child products Christobel stays current on parenting trends and challenges.She is based in London, England. In the heart of England but enjoys traveling greatly.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to