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Women have it hard, and this is a fact! Especially in the workspace, where it is primarily male-oriented. I chose to be a physician because I loved the field, and I worked hard to get where I was. I knew I was one of the best in my practice, and the success stories associated with my career were a testimony to this fact. But none of this mattered when I got the news of my pregnancy.
A huge part of me was celebrating the life growing inside me, but there was this tiny voice that feared what could happen to my career. I had come so far, and letting it all go because of my pregnancy, was a bitter pill to swallow. What I didn’t know, however, was that it didn’t have to be that way – becoming a mother shouldn’t have to come in the way of me being a physician! So here is me telling you what every woman who is facing the same issue should know:
You Can’t Get Fired
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No one can fire you on the grounds of your pregnancy or your decision to get pregnant. As long as you are an efficient employee who contributes to the company just like everyone else, you are entitled to keep your job or even enjoy a promotion if you deserve it.
Your Boss Will Understand
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I spent several sleepless nights wondering if and how I should break the news of my pregnancy to my boss. I pictured a whole scenario in my head where my boss would throw me out of work the minute I announced the news. But what really happened is that my boss congratulated me and even asked me what could be done to ease out any excess workload so I can get a breather. There are rude bosses, but don’t forget that there are good ones too!
Pregnancy Doesn’t Make You A Bad Worker
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The idea of taking a sabbatical scared me. What if I came back to work and found out that I could not give it my best like I used to? But here’s what happened — when I returned, nothing concerning my practice had changed. Pregnancy might change your body, but it doesn’t change your ability to work like you used to!
You’ll Realize How Much You Missed Working
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I realized that I missed my job. Sure, I loved the time I spent with my little munchkin, and I sure as hell can’t wait to go back to my baby at the end of the day, but I did miss the career-oriented side of me as well! A good day’s work gave me a sense of accomplishment every time I went to sleep at night, and I was proud of myself!
Being A Good Mom Doesn’t Make You A Bad Employee
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Many moms think that to be a good mother, they’ll have to compromise on their jobs. This is far from the truth. There may be days when you run into the office a bit late because your child was unwell. Or, there may be days when you have to reschedule a meeting because your child has a dentist appointment. And that is okay. Just because you address your child’s needs and compromise on your work doesn’t make you an unworthy employee.
You’re Doing Enough
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I always thought that I wasn’t doing enough, and this thought was exhausting. It took me a while to realize that I wasn’t just doing enough; I was doing a lot more than that! It’s not easy to juggle between your child’s needs and the responsibilities associated with your job. But I was doing both, so maybe it was time to cut myself some slack!
Pregnancy and motherhood is a beautiful thing. It’s normal to have fears about your career when you are pregnant. However, maybe you need to go a little easier on yourself. You’re about to embark on a journey that can be overwhelming but fulfilling at the same time. So, embrace it and move forward with pride! What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!
