Friday, May 23, 2008

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book


This is one realistic book. That was my first impression upon reading it. Written by Dr.Marjorie Greenfield, The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book, combines the development of your pregnancy with compelling advice and emotional support. But most importantly, it acknowledges the realities of a pregnant working woman. When to tell you boss you are pregnant, how to handle a change in workplace dynamics, whether to travel or not, how to deal with fatigue and deadlines. Not only does Dr.Greenfield draw from her own experience as a working woman, a mother and Ob-Gyn, but she draws from the experiences of many women as well. The experiences, thoughts and situations these working women went through are interspersed as small comments through out the book – at every stage of pregnancy.

From pre-school teachers, scientists, violinists, policewomen, pilots, lawyers, even a state governor – they all have stories about their own pregnancies as working women to share. Some positive, some not so, but all of them completely in tune with the realities of working women. Yes, it is likely that your boss is going to feel you are choosing family over your job, yes you might get sidelined for important projects, and yes, you might get treated differently now that you are pregnant. A small snippet about a police woman wondering where to position a gun holster brought a smile to my face and a sense of pride too. That she was unwilling to quit her job, instead choosing to take extra training to qualify for a gun she could put in an ankle holster – the only place she could put a gun in her third trimester –is one amazing story.

The book is full of sound advice and the best part was a section dedicated to labor and delivery approaches. It is extremely balanced and non-judgmental. She suggests you select a provider based on your philosophies. This will save a lot of miscommunication later on when you want a natural birth and she is all hi-tech or the other way round. Another thing I found useful is some surprising facts about the FMLA. So, if you are planning on delivering in the USA, I would urge you to look closely at FMLA, I did not know a lot of things about it.

The book is an easy read. Helpful illustrations and sound advice. Not amplifying the risks and problems a pregnancy can run into, but acknowledging them matter-of-factly. But most importantly, Dr.Greenfield writes as an equal. She, is one of the few authors who do regard their target readers as informed and educated. Reading this book is like sitting with a knowledgeable, compassionate friend, a latte in hand, telling you how to plan for and enjoy your pregnancy and the arrival of the baby while being committed to a full time job.

15 comments:

Cee Kay said...

Wish I had known about this book 2 years back! Just two days ago I saw an episode of Criminal Minds and in that JJ's boyfriend, who is a policeman himself comes over to meet her after she informs him that she is pregnant. And the way he told her she should stop working in the field made my blood boil! Of course, it was only a TV program but it does protray what most people feel, right? Well, JJ handled it well I think, but I don't know what she'll do next (that was the season finale). I know I am stupid to be talking about a TV program but I feel these programs represent many people's views. And it is not the TV prog I am getting mad at, it is the view I am upset about. Make any sense? :(

BTW, once I mentioned it to someone in my office that I was still carrying servers and computers (in my third trimester) and they almost blew an artery! I mean come on! I am a professional woman AND I worked hard for that pregnancy. I am not going to jeopardize it. I used good posture and lifted with my arms and not my back or stomach muscles.

Mona said...

sounds like a book worth reading for sure.

Imp's Mom said...

Wish I had come across this book when I was preg.. I was treated like a queen at my work.. not complaining :)

By Deepa and Supriya said...

thanks for sharing..will pass it along to a couple of friends as well!
hows the long weekend shapin up??

dipali said...

This sounds wonderful.

dipali said...

Dottie- please check out my latest blog-thanking you there.

Preethi said...

Hey Dottie... missed reading your blogs..I will look for this book in the library!! Sounds interesting!!

Anusha said...

oh thanks for the reco! could have used this a few months earlier - when I was battling maternity leave options. guess it still doesn't hurt to give it a read.

Yet Another Mother Runner said...

sounds like an interesting read... will be sure to pass it on to MTBs...
With T1, I let my boss know after my 5-month sonogram - she couldn't believe i was pregnant - i was hardly showing! For a woman with no kids, she was awfully supportive - the entire team in fact...I was a contractor, not even an employee!
with T2, my boss was the first to know (i was my own boss...he he)..

Savani said...

gtn: me too. seriously. I can't believe it took the publishing industry so long to publish a book like this. Much needed. I caulked our bathroom in my thrid trimester. I don't think pregnancy slowed me down. Some days yes, but I was quite active. I have never seen criminal minds? Which channel?

mona: totally.

imp's mom: I was treated a bit differenly a few weeks after I announced, but then everything was back to normal after that. I had a pressing deadline 2 days before Chip arrived. I was very happy that my supervisor had confidence in me that I would manage it even if I delivered early by making arrangements. big ego-boost.

orchie: totally recommend it. just got abck this morning from SFO. Need another coffee.

dipali: it totally is :) and headed to your blog now.

preethi: are you back already? hope you are posting about your trip. How did nantu like it?

k's mom: I know!!!! But it has a section about post partum and working woman too. I can mail you the book if you want.

gnd: 5 months?? Wow. I can never hold a secret that long :) 3 onths and I splilled the beans :)

Cee Kay said...

Yup - pregnancy didn't slow me down either. I oversaw a phone server repair project that required me to stay in office till 3 am in my third trimester. I planted my vegetable garden during my third trimester - close to completing eight months. I dug up the ground with a shovel, spread out the soil and planted everything all by myself. I don't get it when women "take it easy" during pregnancy - being active makes time pass by more quickly. And I absolutely hated it when someone suggested I should "sit down" or some such thing - tore into them on a few occasions :) Told them I was pregnant, not invalid :P

Cee Kay said...

Oh and Criminal Minds airs on CBS. They aired the season finale episode last wednesday. I LOVE that program!

Anusha said...

thanks DotT! will check the local libraries and if not, will let you know...

and sorry to turn this into a active pregnancy discussion, but GTN's comment triggered this thought. if I had a penny for everytime I wanted to say the exact same thing to ppl - "pregnant, not invalid"!! I was that way during pregnancy 1, active in the garden, walking a lot, taking classes, etc
but I have to say, this time around, thanks to catering to a toddler - I am not as energetic. there were times I wished for some relief from physical activity and totally wanted to put my legs up and 'take it easy'.

Cee Kay said...

Hey Kodi's mom, catering to a toddler is the MOST active anyone can ever be in a pregnancy. Even if you are not doing anything else, this one thing takes the cake in being the most labor intensive task. My comment was not for moms in your situation. I mean, all of us wanted that "take it easy" period some time or the other during our pregnancy :P I meant the women who take pregnancy as a time to just chuck all work and rest. I have seen them - starting from a first cousin. They treat themselves as if they are mad of glass.

Savani said...

GTN: Wow. I planted my garden too and dug and everything. I ended up doing so much work in the house simply because I figured I will not get the time once the baby arrives.

K's mom: Agree with GTN. We are not invalids. And taking care of a toddler IS the most exhausting job in the world. I am tired just dealing with him and I am not even preggo!