Pregnancy etiquettes to be followed by a would-be mother:-
- It is always advisable that you announce your pregnancy at least after twelve weeks of the news to you.
- Talking about your child's conception can make people uncomfortable; it is fine to disclose such things to intimates.
- Morning sickness is unavoidable, so it's better to inform people around you at work about you frequent excusing.
- Physical changes that occur in your body are not to be broadcasted to the world.
- Sooner or later during your pregnancy, you're going to feel the baby move. Instead of grabbing your friend's hand and placing it on your stomach, ask her if she wants to feel the baby moving. If she says no, accept her answer but tell her to let you know if she changes her mind.
- Discussing about aches and pains with an intimate is fine, but it should be never done with an outsider.
- On receiving a pre-baby party (baby shower) from your close ones, it's very important for you to shower them with appreciation which would be best done by a thank-you note.
Etiquettes to be followed by people around the expectant mother:-
- Don't spill the beans - Finding out they're pregnant is thrilling news, but leave it up to the parents-to-be to share it with family and friends. Unless the expectant parents ask for your help, let them have the joy of spreading the news.
- Don't comment on her size - Even if you don't think you're being hurtful, pregnant women never want to hear comments such as, "You're huge!" or "Wow! It looks like you're going to have twins." To be safe, just tell her how beautiful she looks. Trust us; it's all she wants to hear.
- Don't touch the belly - onto a touchy subject: Some women might not mind the admiration and attention; for others, it will rub them the wrong way. The best advice is to ask her if it's okay before you're "hands on."
- Don't offer unsolicited advice - This can be questionable, but the answer is simple: If it's unsolicited, keep it to yourself. If or when she asks for your opinion, feel free to let it out. If not, it's wise to hold on tight to your knowledge.
- Don't be the food police - Fortunately these days, most women have a hunger for knowledge that keeps them on top of what they should, or shouldn't, be eating while pregnant. Respecting their decisions (even if you disagree) is much more palatable.
- Act like you like the name (even if you don't) - Unless you want your name to go down in history as the person who hated their child's, it's best to keep your opinions to yourself.
- Respect their bathroom line privileges - It's always a nice gesture to allow the soon-to-be-mama to "go" ahead of you.
- Offer your seat - The last seat on the bus, subway, or in the waiting room is coveted and fought for like gold; but allowing an expectant mother the chance to get off her swollen feet is priceless. And, remember, as she gets bigger, even the tiniest of gestures are huge.
Facts about Pregnancy in the Workplace:
Pregnancy is an exciting time of change for a woman but for those in the workplace it can create added stress. The rights of pregnant women are protected by law but the politics of the workplace can help determine when a woman tells her boss she is expecting and how she takes time off for doctor's appointments.
Telling Your Boss You are Pregnant
Many women are nervous about telling their boss that they are expecting a baby. It is best to avoid telling coworkers about a pregnancy before informing an employer because office gossip could help the news get there faster than a woman wants. Scheduling a time to sit down with an employer to inform them of a pregnancy and discuss how it will affect work performance is a professional way to break the news.
Telling Coworkers
It is a personal decision whether or not a woman tells her coworkers that she is pregnant. Many women prefer to wait until they are out of the first trimester to inform coworkers of their pregnancy but this can be difficult if the woman is experiencing morning sickness.
Taking Time Off for Doctor's Appointments
Monthly doctor's appointments are important for the health of both mother and baby. While it may be possible to schedule doctor's appointments into a lunch break, many women find that they must take some time off work for medical care. Scheduling doctors appointments at the beginning or end of the day make it easier to simply come into work a bit late or leave a little bit early. Keep in mind, however, that late afternoon doctors appointments are often delayed as the appointments get behind throughout the day and it may be a long wait to get in to see the doctor.
Scheduling Maternity Leave
It is best to determine what the company policy on maternity leave is well before it is needed. Asking to see the company maternity leave policy and reading through it can help answer many questions. Schedule an appointment with the HR representative to determine how the policy will affect your maternity leave plans.
When to Stop Working
While some women find that they are able to work right up until the time that their baby is born, others are worn out at the end of pregnancy and choose to begin maternity leave early. Most companies give a woman a set amount of maternity time, regardless of when her baby is born. Keep this in mind before deciding when to begin maternity leave. Taking time off before the baby is born may limit the time a woman has at home after the birth of her baby.