Most women perform some type of work during pregnancy—except if they’re confined to bed rest. Whether you’re working from home, the office or a remote location, here are solutions to the most common complaints pregnant working women experience.

Help for Queasiness/Morning Sickness

Nothing puts a damper on the joys of pregnancy than having to work with morning sickness— which can last throughout the day. Health providers agree that eating frequently helps.  Your meals should include bland foods like chicken soup, broth and plain baked potato. Eating small, healthy snacks like crackers, pretzels and dry cereal throughout the day can keep your blood sugar steady and slow down the queasiness. Other good options are lemons (eat or sniff them) ginger ale, gingersnaps and flavored popsicles. Your goal is to avoid getting too hungry or too full which can lead to nausea.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, you should drink fluids a ½ hour before or after meal, but not with your meals.  Drink fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

Help with Tiredness-Fatigue

One of my former childbirth education students had a difficult time accepting that her energy level during pregnancy wasn’t the same as before pregnancy. She felt tired. 

Your body is not the same during pregnancy.  Just think about it for a moment. You’re carrying a baby inside of you—a life that is depending on your nutrients intake for healthy development. 

You must replenish your energy by eating healthy. Choose foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood, leafy green vegetables, iron-fortified whole-grain cereal and beans.

Here are commonsense suggestions to help with tiredness during pregnancy:

-If you’re tired, take short, frequent breaks.

-Cut back on strenuous physical activities.  Now is not the time to run a 30-mile marathon.

-Go to bed earlier.  Get the recommend seven to nine hours of sleep.  Health experts recommend sleeping on your left side if you have trouble sleeping. This will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby. Keep your legs and knees bent and a pillow between your legs.

-Say No to Drama. While life brings stress such as a death of a loved one, job loss and other unexpected occurrences, do not seek stress.  Politely end or move out of the conversation when the co-worker starts gossiping.  Find something constructive to do when your friend calls to complain about her cheating boyfriend for the 50^th time in a week.

Remaining Healthy in Your Physical Work Environment

Unfortunately, most expectant moms cannot always choose their physical work environments.  If you are concern with the effects of your work environment on your pregnancy, talk with your doctor, especially if the following is involved:

• Exposure to harmful substances
• Prolonged standing
• Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying
• Excessive noise
• Heavy vibrations, such as from large machines
• Extreme temperatures

Working during pregnancy can be challenging, but be encouraged, countless women do it every day.