Work stress

[hols0709]

Hi ladies,
Really looking for some advice.
I'm a full time Project Manager - 7 weeks pregnant.
I'm struggling to focus, get out of bed, sleep at night and get my job done. Not just because I'm tired, sick and paranoid about miscarriage, but a complete feeling of dread and I'm totally overwhelmed.
I've always known this is not a role I can go back into after baby comes - sporadic travel, nights away, starting stupidly early and getting back late, but this is absolute madness. I took yesterday and today off sick (first time in years I've been off sick and not actually worked).
Is this likely to get better? I'm losing the plot and putting huge projects at risk because I'm off my game and can't get it together.
I don't know how I'll handle the next few months.

[mommadeuxsidoux]

My dr reccomendes off brand unisom during my first pregnancy for nausea and insomnia since I was working 12 hr shifts as a nurse all through to 91/2 months. I also reccommend sea bands for nausea wore them every day the first trimester and into the second.

[specialmom]

PS  for the majority of women, nausea/morning sickness completely disappears at 13 weeks (did me too) and fatigue gets MUCH better.  You're almost there.  good luck

[specialmom]

I think you need to talk to your doctor.  Perhaps pregnancy hormones have thrown you into a state of anxiety.  This is important to know and to figure out if it is of a clinical nature because this can often get worse once the baby is born.  You are very early in pregnancy and women have babies every single day . . .  able to work, take care of other kids, work out, function just fine.  I'm not minimizing your feelings---  I understand.  But its best to try not to give into them.  Talk to your doctor about anxiety.  In general, staying busy is best when anxious (feeling dread and worrying)---  so work is actually better for you mentally than staying home.  I worked through my first pregnancy until 38 weeks and my job was very active.  With my second, I was a stay at home mom with a 1 year old.  Not sure which was harder.  LOL  But it's part of life and you muster your way through.  good luck

[StaceyBaby]

Hey girl,

I hear ya! I'm a lawyer and currently between 9/10 weeks. I am paranoid and a complete mess about every single fear you mentioned. I'm so nauseous and fatigued all day I can barely complete tasks that used to be so simple. I've heard that those symptoms typically get better when you enter the second trimester. As far as coping right now? (1) talk to yourself: you are not alone, plenty of us working mamas are with you and going through the same thing- we can be strong!; (2) find an outlet - walking and yoga are helping my mental focus and at least helping me cry less!; and (3) try not to worry about things you can't control- the negative energy will only suffocate you and cloud your mind to the point that no task can be completed properly.... also, I made a decision to tell my boss after I got my first ultrasound and the heartbeat. He now understands that I'm pregnant, tired, nauseous, and struggling a little, so I don't feel the pressure to be as crazy productive as I was before. Don't be afraid to ask for help too- perhaps you have a confidant or other women in your office with children that can have your back when you're struggling. Hope this helps :)