What is Your Pregnancy Work Plan?

With employers downsizing to the hilt and a crazy bad economy, most feel on the precarious edge of losing their pay check and now more than ever, job security for a pregnant working mother is a major concern.

Yes there are laws that protect against discrimination, but we all know that the way our co-workers, bosses and clients percieve us can make or break our career.

How can you keep your competitive edge, if you are battling against morning sickness just before an important meeting and trying to fit your routine checkups in your hectic schedules? What will happen during your maternity leave and what will be the situation when you return to your work place?

Tips to keep your career and your mental sanity, when your pregnancy symptoms sabotage your working day.

The key to thrive even in the least family friendly environment is to keep in control of the situation. If you think well in advance and plan how to juggle your symptoms, your image and your time, and consistently follow your work plan, you have a good chance of keeping your job even if the odds stacked against you are high. Here's how :

Your first step is to deal with rumors and uncertainty

Decide when will be the best time to disclose you're pregnant. Unless your job poses a hazard to your baby, try to keep the news to yourself for as long as possible. If you must share the news with someone at work, don't choose the office 'mouth' - you really don't want your boss to learn about 'the news' through the office grapevine.

The same thing applies if you have a job where you manage clients' projects. Keep in mind that both your employer and your clients rely on you. A rumor that you're pregnant causes uncertainty about your ability to keep your performance.

Your best bet is to disclose the news once you start showing - usually between weeks 14-20. This will give you time to think both about your pregnancy work plan and your future child care arrangements, if you want to keep working after your baby is born. It will also concretely show that you can still be productive even if you are pregnant.

Downplay your symptoms

Try to be as discreet as possible with your clothing during your first trimester. Opt for an open jacket over a blouse if your tailored suit gets too tight, and go for dark colors that help to minimize your thickening waist. If your job doesn't require business attire go for something similar to your usual clothes but in a more comfortable size. More tips about what to wear can be found here.

Try to minimize morning sickness and fatigue by eating healthy foods that won't upset your stomach, (stay away from rich or spicy foods and caffeine) drinking plenty of water, and starting a gentle exercise regimen that will help you feel fit.

How should you draft your pregnancy work plan

Before you approach your boss, make a plan of what will happen during your maternity leave. Take your time to see how you can make your absence the least painful possible for those who rely on your productivity.

These are some points you need to consider
- Will you keep working till late pregnancy? How long is your maternity leave going to be?

• Can your co-workers take over your tasks during your abscence or do you need to find a replacement?

• What type of handover will you give the persons who will take over your tasks? You don't have to give a total hands-on that will make you redundant when you come back, but helping your substitute keeping afloat will be a good move.

• What is your plan what after your baby is born? Will you get back to work on a full time or part time basis? Will you try to work from home or quit your job altogether? Talk to your partner and see if you can survive on one income. Take into consideration the extra baby expenses . If you plan to get back to work what type of child care can you afford? If you are on a tight budget, could a family member help take care of your baby when you're working?

• What is your company's policy when it comes to pregnant women and maternity leave? As you approach the date you intend to drop the bomb, talk to other working mothers and learn about their experience. Ask for any advice they could give you and learn about your rights.

• Have a confidential chat with other working mums who have been pregnant in your working place. You will soon discover that mothers are usually very sensitive and empathize when it comes to helping other mothers.

Take the time to digest the information you gathered and make concrete plans when it comes to your maternity leave. When you feel ready schedule a meeting with your boss.

Meeting your boss or supervisor

Go to your meeting prepared.

• Bring a copy of your medical records ( this is necessary for legal purposes) and your pregnancy work plan to your meeting.

• Show your superior that you take your responsibilities seriously and you have carefully considered how you can make things work during your absence.

• Specify that you want to make up for the time you will be away for medical checkups by coming in early or working in the weekends.

• If you have waited until the second trimester before you disclosed your news, you have already proven that you are able to keep working when you are pregnant.

• If you had a good performance history bring it to the table to show how valuable your skills are, and discuss your plans after your baby is born.

Your goal is to show that you are in control of the situation and that you can handle motherhood and work.

A note about laws against discrimination

There are laws that protect pregnant women against discrimination, but the last thing you need to do is threaten to sue your employer if your pregnancy is not well received . Your best bet to keep being in your superior's good books, is to show that you are still able to excel at your job as your pregnancy advances.

Here is a link from a fellow AC contributor about the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

Talking about your maternity with co-workers and subordinates

Co-workers

Once your pregnancy is official, you will be asked many questions by your co-workers. Adopt a positive and enthusiastic attitude when answering their questions but don't go overboard, even if your boss and co-workers welcome the news.

Present a professional image throughout the entire pregnancy, and show consistently that you are not slacking because of your condition.

Keep in mind your co workers might be happy about the good news but no one will be as enthusiastic as you are about it. Your absence will mean they will have an additional workload until you come back, so show them that you appreciate their help and reassure them that work will remain your top priority once you're back.

Subordinates

If you are in a position where you have subordinates, your absence will involve a certain dose of anxiety for your employees. It is important to have a staff meeting where you disclose your news and inform them in very clear terms what will happen in the future.

Take your time to explain, and be clear, about who will take over during your maternity leave and what his/her new responsibilities will be. If your substitute had clashes with key employees who will suddenly become a subordinate to this person, investigate the situation thoroughly and consider your alternatives to keep everyone happy.

A final note on planning your maternity leave

Even if you are in dire need to return back to work as soon as possible, try to devote at least the first three to four weeks after giving birth to your baby.

Your body would not have fully recovered from the strain of pregnancy and child birth before that time, and you do need some private time to bond with your child. One of the first things that you will learn as a mother will be that jobs, careers and important projects come and go, but the time you will spend with your baby is truly priceless.