Work stress during early pregnancy

[goodegg]

So I'm a teacher in a tough secondary school, and while I do love it and throw myself into it, I do find it incredibly stressful. I sometimes get indigestion at work, or don't get time to eat properly during the day. I often crawl into bed when I get home to stare at the walls for an hour or two before I can relax in the evenings. The job is high energy, high pressure stuff.

I found out I was pg over the Easter hols and am about 6 weeks atm. Yesterday term started back and my first 2 typically hectic classes were lovely but v noisy and my subject whilst not PE is a physical subject. I had stomach pains all morning and kept having to sit down to catch my breath, prob indigestion but I can't help being really worried I'm doing little blueberry harm by being stressed I felt really sick at the end of the day and dizzy due to not enough water, am stocking up on snacks and sinks for today.

Writing this down I feel a bit silly, I'm sure life can go on as normal, but if anyone else has experience of a stressful job during pg I'd be grateful if you could reassure me!

I'm a GP (cue lots of mn complaints about accessing appointments and how little GPs know about anything). It is pretty full on and intense. And exhausting. I do emergency out of hours type work as well as daytime work.
I had swine flu when 6 weeks pg, hyperemesis and cried at work regularly. Dd2 is now 11 months and the most chilled out baby ever. Just got her 3rd tooth with no hint it was coming. She's always, always smiling.
You and baby will be fine.
Congratulations.

Thank you Molly that is reassuring. I'm obsessing about getting to the 12wk mark, then I'll hopefully relax a bit. I hardly had any nausea until yesterday, now ms seems to be attacking me with a vengeance. Currently on a bus trying to focus on not puking [envy[

even

Congrats goodegg fab username.

You need to take care of self me dear. I have a stressful job too, and I just got a grip of myself. I would get to end of day and realise that my bladder was full, i hadn't left desk for practically 10 hours and I had not eaten or drunk much. I just had to make a massive effort which was like a sea change. Luckily I had started on a bit of a health kick before got pregnant so had started the process already. I've also totally cut back on hours and leave at 5.30/6 pm at the latest.

Really all I can say is have a bottle of water to swig, some healthy snacks and take breaks when and if you can. When you come home you may find you are still straight to bed. I definitely was at 6 weeks. Just rest when you can and don't feel guilty about it.

Congrats goodegg!
I too was in a v stressful and demanding job when found out was pg. Long hours and long commute too. I had been ttc for 2 yrs so was absolutely determined to do everything in my power to stay pg. Found the first trimester v hard as was feeling sick and exhausted but there are things you can do to make it easier... I used to:

• get to work on time or bit early then leave exactly on time
• make sure I had a break at lunchtime (really helps to get away from desk and stretch legs, have a walk around or maybe browse in a bookshop for a while)
• have a ready supply of healthy snacks and drinks and keep grazing throughout the day
• make sure you relax when you get home (my dh was fantastic, did all the cooking to start with and I'd get in from work and hop straight in the bath every eve with a good book or magazine)

I think the main thing is to listen to your body - if you feel tired then get rest, dont feel obliged to attend every social event or try to carry on as before. If work is causing you discomfort or pain can you avoid any of the activity? If not may be worth telling your boss so they can accommodate for this. I found I had to be very selfish in the beginning - was hard leaving work on the dot every eve and I also refused to attend some late mtgs / do some travel. Got some raised eyebrows at the time but I didnt care. Once you tell people at the 12 week point they will understand and all becomes clear! Am now 35 weeks and on mat leave so you can get through it! Good luck x

I love my GP so no complaints here about accessing appointments, etc - I could call up now and have one by 8:30, and not only does my GP know tonnes but he takes the time to explain it too.

Anyway. I work in a high pressure job too (I'm not saying what because I'd get more complaints than GPs!) and it's very deadline driven with a lot of ad hoc "I need this in an hour" projects. I really enjoyed it but when I told them I was pregnant they were less than receptive to the idea and transferred me to a different department and into a job I was doing four years ago which has the same pay but more restrictive (i.e., worse) terms and conditions and fewer opportunities for development and promotion. On the record it's because they had to downsize, off the record it's "because you're leaving to go on maternity anyway so why does it matter?" and they took on someone to replace me. Long story.

I ended up signed off with stress, I have been for the last 10-12 weeks. Not the stress of the job, just the stress of being messed around and having to fight for my rights. The stress wasn't affecting my pregnancy but it was affecting my sleep, my eating, and my moods so my GP said to take time away and concentrate on myself. I've since made the decision not to return to work after my maternity and I start annual leave in four weeks followed by the start of my maternity leave. I'm much happier for it.

Your employer should do a Health and Safety risk assessment with you once you tell them you're pregnant and it should cover stress too. If there are any adjustments or easements they can make to help you then they will (if they can't then they have to either change your duties or suspend you will full pay). It is worth getting the assessment done as even small things like an extra break can make a difference.

I'd say that so long as you're comfortable and coping then carry on but as soon as you start to feel strain you should address it.

I'm also a teacher & found first few weeks v tough. All I can suggest is take a bottle of water everywhere, have oatcakes / nuts / snacks in your desk drawer or handbag and (controversial this one) tell your closest colleagues. mine were incredibly supportive.

Sit down as much as you can (get kids to come to you!) & plan your day carefully (mix of practical & 'sitting') lessons.

Good luck!

There is a pregnant teachers thread around from a couple of months back you might want to read through and bump if necessary - lots of us shared these sorts of worries.

I am also a teacher although mine are more young adults, the hours are long, the commute is long and the questions make you think. I was off for the last month of the semester with a viral ear infection (before bfp) and have had the Easter holidays am dreading the students coming back as I am 10+4 and still suffering ms, exhaustion, pg brain. I did decide to tell my boss and colleagues early just because I was struggleling so much... Am pleased now as I know I can ask for help when I need it.

Thanks for all the tips, really useful. I'm currently having a lunch break and munching dry oatcakes, seeds and water! I feel better today, made an effort to eat a decent brekkie and drinking loads of fruit tea and water. It's just so hard to think 'it's only a job' and put my health first when everyone is demanding things all the time.

I'll have a peek for the pregnant teachers thread too. I think it will be a lot easier when I can tell people. I've told 2 close colleagues this morning so if I feel rough they can cover me! Don't want to tell too many people until the 12wk mark... cannot wait!

Everyone in our place knew I was pg long before 12 weeks. I was vomiting in my sink between patients and was exhausted. My colleagues in my day job were fab. I did loads of paper work stuff when I was really sick and they did more of the house calls. I found almonds great for snacking.

Saw a patient today I hadn't seen since I vomited all over her front step when I was about 8 weeks. It's tough working and being pg but mat leave was fab.