Pregnant teacher....how will I cope?

[poppyseed84]

I'm only 6 weeks pg but am already feeling the strain of balancing work with looking after myself. In the mornings I feel light headed and a little nauseous and am conscious that bloating is making my tummy protrude already. By 3.15 I am ready to just go home and nap. Not to mention a bit of baby brain, meaning I have been absent minded and just generally a little thick from time to time (that could just be an excuse).

I have not long taken up the role of KS3 co-ordinator (luckily only as maternity cover which ends when I would be due to leave) and I have taken on the role of organising public speaking competitions internally and externally. I'm not sure I can handle all this responsibility feeling the way I do now. We also have our open evening coming up which means I will be at work about 13 hours - I am going to be exhausted.

Will it get any better? When should I tell my line manager? And how can I cope as I get heavier?

Appreciate any advice or tips.
xx

[Olympicrock]

It gets easier! I had to do my AST assessment at 4 months, and if I can survive that, so can you! Tell your HOD, they will be able to cut you some slack re open evening. Enjoy!

[Schlock]

You might find that by the second trimester you have more energy and less nausea/light headedness. I remember the exhaustion of very early pregnancy (even though it was well over a decade ago now!), there would be sudden, crippling exhaustion when I would simply drop off if I were sitting down but it didn't last.

By the time you're quite heavy in the third trimester then your colleagues will all know and hopefully be considerate, although don't expect them to do too much for you. Some women work right up until a week or so before giving birth and seem to manage even when it's hard work.

The real tiredness starts after the birth

[justonemorethread]

Personally I found the first few months much more tiring than the 2nd and 3rd trimester. I think if you have a good relationship with your line manager it's worth telling her/him and explaining how you feel. I was lucky in that I had a relatively healthy pregnancy but found after the first trimester I was glad to be busy.

Just make sure you do no more than you need esp once you get home.

And carry nuts/snacks/crackers around school with you.

And congratulations!

[poppyseed84]

Thanks for all the tips and reassurance. I have a meeting with my line manager soon so will ask for support on the extra curricula side. I know the rest of the dept will be very supportive so once the fatigue fades I will probably be fine.
It's so hard not telling people this early. Wanna tell everyone I see including strangers. Lol