Dozing at Your Desk

Finding yourself dozing off at your desk? There's nothing wrong with that—provided your timing is right. (Do it at lunch time with your shut and a hotel-style "do not disturb" door hanger on your door knob and no one will even bat an eye.)

There's no doubt about it. Coping with fatigue on the job can be a major challenge, particularly during the first and third trimesters of pregnancies. Squeezing in that brief cat-nap may be what it takes to get you through the day.

Ditto for taking an energizing walk around the block during your morning or afternoon break or before you get to work; keeping yourself well-nourished (skipping lunch is an absolute no-no, no matter how busy your day may get); and well-hydrated (keep a water bottle on your desk at all times).

Staying comfortable on the job is another essential strategy for the working mom-to-be. Make sure that your workstation is ergonomically friendly. The hormonal changes of pregnancy put moms-to-be at increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition in which nerves in the wrist become compressed by fluids being retained by the surrounding tissues). And ease strain on your back by propping up one of your legs on an open desk drawer if you have to sit or stand for prolonged period of time.

Tip: Try to minimize job stress during pregnancy. Research has shown that women in highly stressful jobs face an increased risk of miscarriage or of developing pre-eclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure).