How to Make Your Office More Comfortable During Your Pregnancy

Being pregnant can be the one of the most wonderful and fulfilling times of your life. Unfortunately, it can also be the most stressful and uncomfortable. Which is why making your office more comfortable during your pregnancy is extremely important. Here are 10 tips to make those long days at the office a little more bearable.

1. Comfy Chair

This is where you spend most of your time, so a little bit of effort in this area goes a long way. If you have the leeway, invest in a new, padded, fully adjustable chair. If not, find a seat cushion and a massaging chair cover for the back of your chair.

2. Foot Massager

One of these under your desk makes the difference between a good day and a bad one. Swollen, achy feet and legs will be grateful when you prop them up after a long presentation.

3. Ambient Noise

During the last half of my pregnancy, my fluctuating moods were my biggest obstacle. Then my mother bought me a nature sounds CD to play at my desk. Most of the time, it faded into the background but the ambient noise had a calming effect.

4. Anti-Glare Screen

I actually purchased this before I got pregnant, but it has made so much difference I had to include it. I spend 8 to 9 hours a day staring at the computer screen. I didn't realize how much strain the glare was putting on my eyes until I clipped this screen onto my monitor and my daily three o'clock headache disappeared.

5. Decorate

The extent to which you can do this will vary from office to office. When I discovered I was pregnant, I went through a nesting phase. I wanted to make my small workspace a haven. I brought in a plant, framed sonograms, the beanie babies my niece gave me for her new cousin, the lamp from my childhood room, and a small area rug. My co-workers raised a few eyebrows, but I felt so much more relaxed and at home that I didn't care.

6. Reorganize

Bending and stretching can be a hassle once your belly starts to get bigger. Put your most frequently used items within arms reach.

7. Climate Control

When your hormones are all out of whack, you're never on the same wavelength as everyone else. Keep a small fan under your desk. This will keep you from secretly resenting everyone else in the office for making you uncomfortable.

8. Head Set

You'll thank me when you realize how good it feels to be able to hold your head upright all day.

9. A Change of Clothes

Don't giggle. If you've ever been pregnant before, you know how important this can be. You should keep a small bag with a sweater, a top that goes with everything in case you sweat through the one you wore to work that morning, underwear, and a neutral bottom. Really. Pack a bag. You'll thank me later.

10. An Exercise Ball

You know those big, blue balls people work out with? Get one of those. Early, because the bigger you get the less use you'll get out of it. These are great to sit on in place of your chair when you're losing circulation in your legs. Plus, wiggling around on them is good exercise.