As teachers, we tend to have a difficult time making sacrifices in the classroom. For many of us, especially those of us who teach
in low socio-economic areas, we might be one of the only constants in our students’ lives. Consider this your how to teach while pregnant survival guide!
We want to make sure that we are always “on” for our students. At times this can be a challenge, and it only gets more challenging when you are pregnant. However, there are ways to survive teaching while pregnant without sacrificing anything in your classroom.
How to Teach While Pregnant
Teaching in the First Trimester
The first trimester can be a difficult one to navigate, especially if you are experiencing difficult morning sickness. I was fortunate enough to have mostly afternoon sickness, but I was queasy all day long. Many women also prefer to not share any pregnancy news with family, friends, coworkers, and bosses during this time as well, which can only make these 13 weeks more complicated. Hiding morning sickness and frequent restroom trips from students and fellow staffers can be challenging.
Here is how I managed to survive the first trimester while teaching:
- Have seltzer water on hand at all times: This helped me so many times combat
morning sickness. I would just sip on it casually throughout the entire day,
and it would help. My favorite is La Croix lemon or lime. It is crisp and refreshing, and very carbonated. It helped to settle my stomach. - Have bland crackers on hand at all times: Once again, this would help me manage
the morning sickness. Pretzel sticks were also one of my go-to snacks. - Keep your desk stocked with snacks: Eating smaller and more frequent amounts of food
helped me as well.
Teaching in the Second Trimester
Many women decide to let the cat out of the bag once the second trimester starts. It is always best to share the news with your
administration before telling any colleagues. News can spread quickly, and it is always best if your principal hears it from you first.
This is also a good time to start the dialogue with your principal about finding a long term sub. Many districts require long-term subs
to be fully credentialed or licensed teachers. The sooner you find a sub, the sooner your mind will be at ease.
Teaching in the Third Trimester
The third trimester is one of the most difficult trimesters
to teach through. Being on your feet for six or seven hours is rough when you
are pregnant.
- Plan your days so that students do a lot of the work: This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your teaching to get some rest. Instead, plan some inquiry-based group and individual work for your students.
- Take advantage of your prep period: Eat a snack, get off your feet, and grade/plan as much as you can.
- Ask for student volunteers: Ask your students to help pass out and collect papers. This will help you stay off your feet while helping those antsy students get some energy out.
- Dress comfortably: One word: flats. I love Born flats. They are cute and provide some additional support for your feet.
- Don’t be afraid to take a day off: Some days you just might not feel well. It is okay to take a day off and relax at home. I made the mistake of NOT doing this my during my second pregnancy, and I was pulled from work a few weeks earlier than I anticipated.
- Start planning for your sub: I am an over-planner. I can’t help it. I like to make sure that my sub is more than prepared to take over my class while on leave. I make a binder for the sub that includes everything they could possibly need. However, this doesn’t mean that I plan each and every single day for my sub. That would be too much. Instead, I provide my sub with unit plans. The unit plans include key readings, assignments, assessments, and a general time frame. I’ve found that this gives the sub a bit more flexibility when it comes to planning and preparing to take over your class. Furthermore, it allows the sub to take more ownership over the class, which is something that will benefit everyone involved.
