Advice: giving a presentation at work (32 weeks pregnant)

[lchats]

Any tips for how to get through a 15 minute presentation without feeling like you've walked to the top of a 40 storey building??

I'm doing an important presentation at work on Wednesday and I'm very worried I'll turn blue - it's tough enough to get through a long conference call.

: /

Why will you turn blue?

Are you struggling to stand? It's perfectly acceptable in my world to present seated - esp if you have a medical contraindication from standing.

How is your iron level? Try some Floradix to bump it up.

Can you do it sitting down? At 32 weeks it will be obvious why and no-one will think it strange.

Can you work bits into the presentation for people to read on teh screen / think about / break out for a min or two to allow you to catch your breath?

I think interactive audience participation is key here

What's it on?

I'm up for a promotions board - just finding it hard to catch my breath when I speak for long periods of time; sitting helps but not a cure... :(

Up for a promotion at 32 weeks? Wow that's great! What sort of employer is it? (Just being nosy - this would never have happened in my old jobs!).

All I can think of is make sure that you have plenty of water to drink, take it easy don't rush, make sure you are taking deep breaths. Are you used to doing presentations / do you get very nervous? Make sure you practice as much as poss beforehand to reduce the nerves if that is a problem for you

I would, if possible, give yourself a minute of breathing space by putting something on a slide which requires them to think quietly (not read quietly, it's too tempting to talk to fill the time).

thank you good thinking - I do get nerves (especially when under scrutiny). I'm very lucky to work for a company that is supportive of women (and maternity leave etc).

I need some breathing techniques!

If you get nervous (I get very nervous!) it is really important to make sure you are breathing properly - and even more so if you are 32 weeks!

I bet there are some presentation breathing techniques on the net - also to beat nerves practice as much as you can to a person eg DP or workmate so you know it inside out that also helps with nerves.

Good luck!!!