Tomorrow I will be 17 weeks pregnant

With Baby 5

Our precious Sprinkle of Stardust

I am feeling very lucky that I do not have to go out to work everyday

Though to be honest

Home schooling three little people

Mid house renovation

Is a full on

Full time job in itself

So I am hoping these tips from the team at Cake Maternity

Will be helpful for me too

Managing work and pregnancy comes with its challenges. Whilst you are likely to be super excited and you want to share your news with everyone, it is advisable to wait to the end of the first trimester before doing so.

Miscarriages can occur during the first trimester and whilst terrible, it is often easier to deal with when you haven’t announced the pregnancy to your friends, family and work mates.

Note: miscarriages can occur in the later stages of pregnancy too, but are less likely.

Managing Morning Sickness
Most women will experience morning sickness in the first trimester. It can be a difficult time as most will not be aware that you are pregnant.

– Keep well hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day
– Eat well. You are unlikely to want to eat larger meals. Small healthy snacks will help to combat nausea and keep your energy levels up
– Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
– Avoid hot stuffy environments. Sit in air conditioned or well ventilated areas
– Take breaks when needed

Announcement
After the first trimester is over, take the time to schedule a meeting with your employer, before then announcing your news to the staff.

Appointments
We suggest planning your medical appointments for before or after work hours or during your scheduled lunch breaks.

This way your appointments will not interfere with your work responsibilities.

Pregnancy brain
Whilst we often joke about it, pregnancy brain is real!
Manage your day. Complete the tasks that require most brainpower early morning when you are fresh. Take plenty of notes, use your calendar and use cheat sheets to help throughout the day.

Maternity leave
Know your rights. Ask for the company’s policy on maternity leave. Is it paid or unpaid and how long are your entitled to?

It is also advised to find out the hours you will be expected to work on your return and what responsibilities you will have.

Handover
In most cases companies will employ a temp to replace you for your intended maternity leave period. Be helpful, by passing on as much knowledge as you can, get everything filed and organized so that things can be found easily in your absence.

Childcare
It may seem crazy to be thinking about childcare when you are still pregnant. However, good childcare facilities are in high demand and there are often waiting lists.

Put your name on a list or lists and take the time to visit multiple centers before making a choice.

– Consider location. Choose a center close to your home or work. This will make your daily routine easier.
– Do the opening and closing times suit your work hours?
– What ages do they accommodate for?
– Talk to people who have used the center before
– Take a tour and trust your gut
– Familiarize yourself with there routine. You will be able to start to introduce some of these routines a few months before your baby starts. This will help to make the transition easier for you and baby.

It is important to remember that pregnancy is not a sickness. You should be able to preform most of your work tasks as prior to your pregnancy.

Listen to your body and allow for some change as your pregnancy develops.

About the author: Like many women out there, Tracey Montford is an exceptional multi-tasker! Apart from steering a global business, managing 2 young boys & keeping the clan clean and fed, Tracey still finds time to provide creative inspiration and direction to the exceptional designs of Cake Maternity. From the branding, presentation and delivery, creativity is a big part of what Tracey does so naturally and effectively. Find out more at uk.cakematernity.com or catch up with her on social @cakematernity!

This is a guest post