Daily Short Blog #11
It has been 7 months now since the first day that I and my husband found out we have conceived a baby. The feeling was unexpectedly surreal. We have been trying to conceive for at least 6 months after I stopped taking birth control pills.
I have been working on a full-time job for the last eight years since we arrived in Dubai. I have been used to it so quitting will be very difficult and it might not be an option now since we got a lot of upcoming expenses for buying for the baby’s essentials.
Announcing My Pregnancy At work
Announcing my pregnancy to my colleagues was not that difficult. They were astounded and was so happy for me and my husband since they knew that we have been trying to get pregnant for a very long time now. Though unexpectedly, the news will not be taken by one of my colleagues that positively.
For the first time in 5 years that I have been working for my company, this was the first time I had the biggest argument with my colleague and it all rooted because of him knowing I got pregnant – which was very disappointing from my side because I thought he was a friend. He even congratulated me sarcastically after my announcement.
I think it was because one of my colleagues was also pregnant that time and he was thinking what will happen to the company if two of us will go for maternity leave on the same time of year. But, all of us has a right to build our own family, right? Correct me on that if I’m wrong.
He has kids too but I think it was his first time to encounter working ladies who got pregnant and are going on a maternity leave. It was just so upsetting on how he handles the situation – he thinks that after maternity leave, both of us, his pregnant employees, will not go back to work after our ‘leave’. When actually, we have to continue working considering our increasing expenses including the baby’s! Hmm..
How To Smoothly End An Argument
So to make the story short, announcing my pregnancy at work lead to smiles and a frown.
Coping With Stress At Work
As everyone comforted me insisting not to stress about it, I try to calm my self down because I am not alone now. The fact there is now a growing baby inside of me, I have to be careful with everything I do.
So as much as possible, when an issue arises, I try to breathe deeply, and talk with whoever I can trust like my husband of course, my sister who is also working in Dubai, my close friends and some of my colleagues as well. Through this, I was able to vent out the negativities I have in my mind and the grudges that I shouldn’t be keeping for the sake of our baby’s health and development.
Anyhow, it worked, well it has to work because being stressed while pregnant will significantly affect my health as well as the baby’s.
How To Distinguish Fake and Genuine People
My Daily Routine
I am so thankful and blessed that I didn’t have to go through all the difficulties of pregnancy. I have experienced exhaustion, pain, headache, breathlessness and many other symptoms. I felt nauseous sometimes but I’ve never vomited and this is what I’m truly thankful for. As I’ve heard from my friends, they’ve experienced this throughout their pregnancy and it must be terrifying.
My daily routine didn’t change much. I still love to take showers twice a day, eat foods as normal as before though craving for some unhealthy foods at times, go to the mall for some grocery shopping and meet some friends. We were even able to throw a Baby Shower!
Our Simple Baby-Bee Shower At Rashidiya Park Dubai
Driving While Pregnant
Because my pregnancy is not that delicate and debilitating, I was able to drive myself from home to work and vice versa. Every Fridays, I let my husband drive our car so I can commute using the public transportation and at least have some time walking. I really need to do some light exercises to prepare for my upcoming delivery.
Sitting At Work for Nine Hours Straight
I’m working for 9 hours a day for 5 days a week – that means, I sit on an office chair for the full 9 hours constantly which is now becoming my problem as my due date becomes nearer. The tailbone pain I feel as a result of sitting for long duration is becoming more and more excruciating each day. I have bought a cushion where I can sit on but unfortunately, it didn’t help much. My weight as well as my baby’s are increasing as time passes by, so I guess I just have to go through the pain until I deliver. Well, it’s just 2 more months to wait! 🙂
Maternity Leave
I was really thankful to the UAE after hearing the news that starting February this year, maternity leave will now be 60 days – in which 45 days as full paid while 15 days as half paid, compared to the previous law stating a total of only 45 days leave. This improvement gives expectant mothers peace of mind especially when there is nobody with them to take care of their upcoming baby. It will also allow more time for mommies to recover and rest after giving birth; more bonding time with newborn as well. So, thank you very much to the UAE Authorities for this new policy! 🙂
The Takeaway
All in all, I have been trying to enjoy my pregnancy as much as possible especially considering it’s my first! Time will pass by and go unnoticed. Few weeks from now, our baby girl will be born and we’ll be welcoming her in our arms. I and my husband are really excited to see her as well as her grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, cousins and many more.
I am as lucky as the other soon-to-be moms who are working on a desk job that doesn’t require much effort to accomplish our duties. I couldn’t imagine those who work on jobs requiring more physical labour like warehouses, factories and supermarkets.
For now, what I could only hope for is a normal delivery and a strong and healthy baby. We are fortunate that all of my laboratory tests and scans are coming out normal.
You may also check a more detailed blog about My First Pregnancy Journey on this link:
I would love to hear from you! Are you also pregnant or planning to become one?
Share us your thoughts about it. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the comment section.
My First Pregnancy Journey
Our Simple Baby-Bee Shower At Rashidiya Park Dubai
Himalaya Evecare Capsule: My Fertility and Product Review
My First Pregnancy Journey: Feeling My Baby Move And Kick
Should I Be Scared With Labor and Delivery?
Reasons Why You Have To Do A Baby Shower
Thank you so much for telling your story and providing some goog tips. This was definitely something I was worried about later on in my life, and didn’t know how it was going to
I bet you’re super excited about it but i hear you, it is not easy and there is a lot of adjustments needed.
My first pregnancy was such a sweet experience. Wishing you all the best
Praying for the safe delivery of your baby. The house is incomplete without babies.
I enjoyed reading this post so much! I am also expecting right now. My job doesn’t require me to sit 9 to 5 but I do have moments when I have to keep it static for a long time and in third trimester it became tough. I was surprised how little support I got from my mother and father and it was the biggest downside of my journey (they have been very demanding ever since they found out, constant calls, yelling at me when they are not agree with my doctor and etc). I had issues with being nauseous during the first trimester but thankfully I managed to quickly find out what kind of food makes me feel good and is nutritious enough to go on. basically, I had to eat extra spicy food for 6 months straight, even being a fan I got very tired of it.
You are a hardworking woman indeed! I hope you have a safe delivery 🙂
Ah well you can’t make your big life decisions based on how someone feels at work. I’m sorry he wasn’t more supportive. Congratulations on your big news!
That’s great to hear that you didn’t feel sick in pregnancy. But I am sure that sitting for that long every day must have been hard. It’s not easy working while being pregnant that’s for sure!
Congrats on your baby and hoping for the safe delivery! Thanks for sharing your journey. This is helpful for the future parents who don’t know what’s it like to expect a baby
Unfortunately, I’m not surprised that your superior reacted that way. it’s all too common out there, especially with male bosses.
I remember my first pregnancy. I worked through until the end. But everyone is different and should do what they feel is best for themselves.
I have SO much respect for those who work in an office while pregnant! I happened to find out I was pregnant on my last full day in my office before I changed jobs to work from home. You’re amazing!
Aaawwwww…congratulations on your baby to be! It looks like you are in this journey entirely….no pussy-footing around your condition or over-straining yourself. All the best!
As I read about your colleague at work, it’s good it’s not that bad. Hope you guys find a way if you leave at the same time. Thank you for sharing your experience.
It was nice reading your pregnancy journey. A mother is a strongest creature of this earth. It is good to read that you are balancing each role of your life so nicely. Best regards for you and your little one.
We mothers go through alot during pregnancy. We deserve more than what we are getting from society.
pregnancy is definitely a journey, we go through so much. your photos are stunning.
I am with you! This is a hard road to navigate but there are great resources out there to help.