Thoughts and Questions – of a First Time Pregnant Working  Mom

What if I go into labor while at work? What would I do?

Would I go home or go to the hospital?

Would I drive myself? Who would or could drive me?

What if my water breaks here? Should I keep extra clothes with me?

Should I keep my hospital bags with me all the time?

These were some of the questions in my head as my due date got closer.

As with anything in life – when you have no experience dealing with something your mind goes haywire with questions of – what if?

I planned on working until my baby came.

I worked about 40 minutes from home and the hospital I was going to deliver.

I drafted a plan for maternity leave when I prepared to tell my manager I was pregnant. My manager and I later updated the plan together.

This really helped me, my manager, my team and colleagues.

We created a plan of how my responsibilities would be handled while I was out on maternity leave. We tried to answer all the possible questions about the (how’s and who’s).

You can read more about how I prepared and planned to tell my manager I was pregnant here.

CREATE A PLAN.  HAVE A PLAN READY – just in case…

I decided to also create a plan of action for all the “What if” questions I was having about going into labor at work.

I’m sure my manager and team had similar questions – as my belly grew bigger, my movements slowed down, and I wobbled more.

I would get questions or statements such as: “Are you still here?
When are you due?”
“You are all belly! Are you sure it’s only one baby in there?”
And the look of their faces when they heard how close my due date was!

Have a plan ready just in case… This will help calm you and your colleague’s minds – even if you don’t go into labor at work.

SIDE NOTE: This plan is just for you and your work friends that are included in your plan and NEED to know. You do not need to tell the world your business.

PREGNANT WORKING WOMEN FEEL COMPELLED to –
Work Fulltime Until the Baby is Out

I wanted to work until my baby came because:

• I wanted to get as much Maternity Leave as I needed and get paid.
  It’s important to know how your maternity leave will be calculated and how and if you will get paid – while on leave.
  
  You can read what I learned when I researched maternity leave, FLMA and short-term disability here.
• It was hard to step away from my work. I was overjoyed to be blessed with a baby. However, had reservations about been away from my work. I managed a Career Services department at a University at the time of my first pregnancy.
  I was fortunate to have loved my job, my team and had a supportive manager.
  That made a world of a difference.

However, I felt compelled to do all I could before leaving for maternity leave.

I started and built the department from scratch. It was one of my babies. And I enjoyed working and serving my students, employers, and colleagues.
It was hard to step away and leave it.

HOW HAVING A PLAN HELPED

Having a plan of action of how my role and responsibilities would be covered, while out on maternity leave – made it easier to let go.

And having a plan of action “should I have gone into labor while at work” calmed my nerves and answered all the questions in my head of “what ifs”.

So, what if!  I had a plan of action!

I was able to just be. Do my work. Enjoy the last days of having my baby inside my tummy. And just wait for her arrival.

As a working pregnant first time mom, you will have so many unanswered questions. This is completely normal. It’s our Human nature.
I encourage you to make a plan to help you figure out what you WILL do should you Go Into Labor at Work.

You can start by writing down the big questions that keep coming back in your head. All those “what ifs”.

I hope you’re having the best pregnancy experience. If you’re not, and feeling uncomfortable. Keep your eyes on the finish line. It will all be a memory soon.

Moms, who worked during your pregnancy. Please share your tips. Did you have similar questions? Did you go into labor at work? Did you create a plan?

We look forward to hearing from you. Please share in the comments section below.

Best regards,

Yamiek, aka, Tallawah Human