Even though I experienced the classic trimester-one symptoms—nausea, vomiting, fatigue—my job profile required constant coordination with multiple teams, making physical presence essential at office.
It was incredibly challenging, especially with unpredictable waves of nausea. I still remember presenting in a meeting room and suddenly feeling the urge to throw up. Some days were manageable, others not so much. On tougher days, I’d head home early, rest, and wrap up any remaining work from there.
Here’s what helped me manage and cope during this time:
- Scheduling important meetings in the first half of the day, when symptoms were relatively mild
- Quick breaks in the nap room—a 10-15 minute refresh made a huge difference
- Anti-vomit medication – Ondem MD (prescribed by my doctor), which I always kept handy, especially during meetings
- Setting a fixed log-off time—evenings were the hardest for me, so I ensured I left work on time and attended any urgent meetings from home
Navigating Guilt, Honesty, and Work Reviews
At around 8 weeks pregnant, our performance review cycle was underway. I hadn’t shared the news yet because I feared it might influence my evaluation. Deep down, I felt a sense of guilt—like I was hiding something that mattered.
I finally confided in a trusted colleague, and something they said stayed with me:
“If you can’t trust your manager to remain unbiased, maybe you’re not working with the right person.”
That gave me the push I needed. I told my manager about my pregnancy the same day. To my relief, he was nothing but supportive—he congratulated me and reassured me that my personal milestones mattered just as much as my professional ones.
As someone who’s always been ambitious, the thought of stepping away from work for sometime after birth was difficult to accept at first. But I reminded myself—it wasn’t a disruption, just a slower pace during a deeply important phase of life. Also, slowing down doesn’t mean stepping back- it’s just a different rhythm, and one that still aligns with my long-term goals.
My Takeaway? Go at Your Own Pace and Communicate When You’re Ready
Though transparency helps build trust, and it also gives your team a chance to support you better, not all managers or organizations may respond with the same level of understanding. You might choose to share the news first with your manager, or only with a few trusted colleagues who can support you through the early stages. Also, many families choose to wait until after the first trimester due to personal or cultural reasons, especially considering that the risk of miscarriage is highest in those initial weeks. That’s completely valid too.
There is no right or wrong time to share your news—do it when you feel comfortable. But when you do decide to share it, try to give them enough time to plan your absence during maternity leave.
Whether you choose to share early or wait, just remember—your well-being comes first, and the right people will always support you.
