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How to balance your pregnancy and career?
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey but there is no denying that it comes with a lot of physical and emotional changes along with several responsibilities. Juggling your career and pregnancy together can be a challenge, but it is entirely manageable when you plan ahead and prioritise your health.
Here are some tips to help you balance your career and pregnancy:
Inform your employer: A safe, positive and healthy work environment is all the more important when you are pregnant. It is crucial to inform your employer about your pregnancy at the earliest, go over the necessary accommodations required and reach an agreement on when you wish to take your maternity leave. This will also help ensure that you have the right working environment and understanding so that you can perform your job while caring for yourself and your baby. Make sure that you know all your maternity rights before you inform your employer about your pregnancy.
Don’t ignore your health: Work is important but your health must be your priority during your pregnancy. This, in turn, ensures the health of your baby. You need to have your doctor’s appointments and tests as per schedule, follow your doctor’s advice, eat healthy and on time, stay hydrated, take your prenatal vitamins, get enough rest as well as exercise as per your doctor’s recommendations. You can speak to your employer if the work gets too overwhelming during your pregnancy so as to work out a solution.
Work arrangements: When the workload becomes too heavy to manage, talk to your employer. Try to work out tough deadlines, work hours and schedule. Try to figure out flexible work arrangements, maybe an option to work from home or adjusting your work hours. Do not delay the conversation with your boss if your work starts impacting your health.
Daily work routine: One often tends to sit continuously at work and avoids breaks when the workload is too much in an attempt to complete everything. However, especially when you are pregnant and working, it is crucial to take little breaks throughout the day to stretch, walk around, eat at intervals and rest if necessary. Try to strike a balance so that you don’t compromise on your work as well as on your health.
Maintain a good posture: Pregnancy often comes with aches and swollen feet. Try to maintain a good posture while working and keep your feet elevated while sitting to deal with swelling.
Always carry food and water: While travelling to your office, remember to carry some healthy food and water so that you eat on time and stay hydrated. This will help you deal with fatigue and provide energy.
Pregnancy discrimination: While it is unlawful to terminate an employee on the basis of pregnancy, maternity discrimination continues at many workplaces. If a woman experiences unfair treatment in the workplace and is denied opportunities, privileges or rewards due to perceptions/stereotypes about pregnant women’s capabilities, or myths about gender roles in child caregiving, that’s gender-based discrimination1.
As per the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, employers are expected to treat pregnant employees fairly, and assess them on their merits and the requirements of the job2. Additionally, a pregnant employee working for a company for over three months has maternity protection benefits. If you face workplace discrimination, you can take it up with the relevant authorities and women’s support organisations.
Many women manage to successfully balance their pregnancy and meet their career goals. They say that it takes a village to raise a child. In a similar manner, it takes proper communication, planning, scheduling and support from employers, colleagues, friends and family when it comes to balancing career and pregnancy.|
More Pregnancy & Maternity Tips
Questions you must ask when buying maternity insurance in Singapore
5 reasons why adoption of cord blood banking has great scope
The value versus cost of cord blood banking
References and Resources:
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