As soon as I found out that I was pregnant I started thinking about whether it would be possible for me to combine pregnancy and working at the bar. I used to spend at least 8 hours at work on my feet constantly moving and being 100% active. Since I've never been pregnant before, I couldn't really know what to expect, not to mention that every woman is taking pregnancy very different - physically and mentally. Thus I decided to make a plan of how many shifts a week I wanna get moving through different stages of my pregnancy, as well as to define the day when I wanna officially go on my maternity leave. So, I wanted to work as much as I can through my first and half of the second trimester, and then around the 6th month in May to go down to 4 days to be followed by 2-3 days in June. I have a birthday June, 26th and it was supposed to be my last day. The plan sounded perfect, I only had to pray for it to work out exactly the way I wanted. Eventually, it did.
The fact that I am a very active person helped a lot. I do need a lazy day off once in a while when I can just stay in bed all day in my pajamas watching a movie, but in general I do enjoy moving and doing stuff. It makes me feel better, plus I always feel proud of myself every time I manage to do something extra on top of work, like going to the gym, doing laundry, cleaning the house, going for a run or for a nice walk. Having a dog contributes a lot to staying active as well. Through my whole pregnancy I was in a pretty good physical shape and at this point ( I am almost 39 weeks) I barely gained 22 lbs (10 kg). Movement is the key. Plus healthy eating habits of course. Thank God, my baby was craving mostly fruits and vegetables which made it easier to keep pace with my 'dieting'.
Since I hate to ask for favors or special treatment, especially at work, I decided to keep my pregnancy in secret as long as I would be able to. My co-workers found out I was expecting somewhere around week 16-18 or so. Till then I wasn't saying a word about it. I was never complaining as well, even later in my pregnancy. My team was pretty understanding and, of course, no one made me carry buckets with ice anymore, but other than that I had no privileges. If there was a party night and everyone was working a 16-hour shift, I was there for the same hours too. I didn't take any extra breaks or snack times. I was keeping granola bars, mixed nuts and dried fruits behind the bar just in case, but honestly, everyone did. You just don't know when it gets really busy and whether you will be able to eat at all. Restaurant/bar business is unpredictable.
In my first trimester I had only 2 challenges while at work: fighting constant fatigue and holding the urge of throwing up every time someone would order something gross like buffalo wings. Thank God, somewhere around week 12 my morning sickness was over. In a couple weeks I got my energy back as well. I should admit I was a real energizer through my whole second trimester. The only challenge then was my aching back. Eventually I got a support belt. It was really helpful and really supportive. But for me it worked only while I was on my feet. As soon as I would sit down the belt would press on my bladder and I would experience the urge to run to the bathroom. Since I ordered my belt kind of late, maybe around week 25, I only had a chance to use it for about a month, since after week 30 I couldn't wear it at all because of the bladder pressure. It helped me a lot though to survive through my last shifts at work when it was super busy due to hockey play offs and I had to spend long hours on my feet running back and forth. I was bartending for the most part, so I didn't have to carry any plates or trays, but even when I did the belt would help me to keep a straignt posture and take the pressure off my abs. I regret a little that I didn't order it earlier, it could have been much help through my whole second trimester instead of just the last couple weeks. After I stopped working my back wasn't an issue anymore till week 36. I tried to put it on a couple times then, but as soon as I did I had to pee right away and every 5 minutes while wearing the belt. I tried to adjust it and put it higher or lower, but the front part had to be under my belly anyways which meant on my bladder. Honestly, wearing it for longer that 5 minutes would be even painful. I guess the baby's weight is a tremendous pressure itself.
Anyhow, the last weeks I was working 3 shifts a week and doing quite as much as everyone else. Thank God, my co-workers didn't treat me as a retard or a disabled one. I had to switch to another side of the bar on busy nights, cause there I didn't need to bend so much since the beer cooler was at my waist level. But I still worked same hours as everyone else with the baby rocking in my belly to a really loud music. The studies promise though that my baby should be more tolerable to the noise being able to sleep in a medium loud room. We'll see, we'll see))
Altogether, during my pregnancy I survived through a couple of super long shifts. The two I remeber the best were St. Patrick's (17 hours total, 16 weeks pregnant) and hockey play off when we had two bartenders instead of regular four (12 hours, 28 weeks pregnant). Week 30 was my last one, just like I planned. Honestly, I am very proud of myself and very thankful to the baby for helping me make that last money before my maternity leave. I think I could even last a couple weeks more twice a week or something, but I had my best friend giving me a surprise visit on my birthday and staying for two weeks, so it worked out quite perfect.
I think being active and feeling useful helped me to stay positive for the most part. Sitting at home and being lazy - that's what is really depressing. Even though I still try to stay as active as I possibly can considering my huge belly and constant fatigue. I let my body sleep a lot. But I do walk my dog at least twice a day, I still go out with my girls to grab some lunch or coffee, I clean the house all by myself, cook from scratch almost every day, do some grocery shopping, etc. I practise prenatal yoga, pilates and even cardio. I used to hate yoga before being pregnant, I considered it boring and useless, but it really helps me to relax now.
I do miss my work a lot!!!! And I do plan to get back to it as soon as I will be able to, at least for two days a week. I miss the social aspect the most, plus extra cash would never hurt. I know it will be challenging now having a baby, but who said I am gonna give up. I love challenges! It's always a chance to push yourself forward and to achieve more. I love discovering my limits. As a matter of fact I haven't found any so far. I know that I can do anything if I am motivated enough. All the limits are born in your brain, but the power of the human spirit is truely boundless and inexhaustible.
I took these shots during the last days that I was working. 30 weeks pregnant!
The fact that I am a very active person helped a lot. I do need a lazy day off once in a while when I can just stay in bed all day in my pajamas watching a movie, but in general I do enjoy moving and doing stuff. It makes me feel better, plus I always feel proud of myself every time I manage to do something extra on top of work, like going to the gym, doing laundry, cleaning the house, going for a run or for a nice walk. Having a dog contributes a lot to staying active as well. Through my whole pregnancy I was in a pretty good physical shape and at this point ( I am almost 39 weeks) I barely gained 22 lbs (10 kg). Movement is the key. Plus healthy eating habits of course. Thank God, my baby was craving mostly fruits and vegetables which made it easier to keep pace with my 'dieting'.
Since I hate to ask for favors or special treatment, especially at work, I decided to keep my pregnancy in secret as long as I would be able to. My co-workers found out I was expecting somewhere around week 16-18 or so. Till then I wasn't saying a word about it. I was never complaining as well, even later in my pregnancy. My team was pretty understanding and, of course, no one made me carry buckets with ice anymore, but other than that I had no privileges. If there was a party night and everyone was working a 16-hour shift, I was there for the same hours too. I didn't take any extra breaks or snack times. I was keeping granola bars, mixed nuts and dried fruits behind the bar just in case, but honestly, everyone did. You just don't know when it gets really busy and whether you will be able to eat at all. Restaurant/bar business is unpredictable.
In my first trimester I had only 2 challenges while at work: fighting constant fatigue and holding the urge of throwing up every time someone would order something gross like buffalo wings. Thank God, somewhere around week 12 my morning sickness was over. In a couple weeks I got my energy back as well. I should admit I was a real energizer through my whole second trimester. The only challenge then was my aching back. Eventually I got a support belt. It was really helpful and really supportive. But for me it worked only while I was on my feet. As soon as I would sit down the belt would press on my bladder and I would experience the urge to run to the bathroom. Since I ordered my belt kind of late, maybe around week 25, I only had a chance to use it for about a month, since after week 30 I couldn't wear it at all because of the bladder pressure. It helped me a lot though to survive through my last shifts at work when it was super busy due to hockey play offs and I had to spend long hours on my feet running back and forth. I was bartending for the most part, so I didn't have to carry any plates or trays, but even when I did the belt would help me to keep a straignt posture and take the pressure off my abs. I regret a little that I didn't order it earlier, it could have been much help through my whole second trimester instead of just the last couple weeks. After I stopped working my back wasn't an issue anymore till week 36. I tried to put it on a couple times then, but as soon as I did I had to pee right away and every 5 minutes while wearing the belt. I tried to adjust it and put it higher or lower, but the front part had to be under my belly anyways which meant on my bladder. Honestly, wearing it for longer that 5 minutes would be even painful. I guess the baby's weight is a tremendous pressure itself.
Anyhow, the last weeks I was working 3 shifts a week and doing quite as much as everyone else. Thank God, my co-workers didn't treat me as a retard or a disabled one. I had to switch to another side of the bar on busy nights, cause there I didn't need to bend so much since the beer cooler was at my waist level. But I still worked same hours as everyone else with the baby rocking in my belly to a really loud music. The studies promise though that my baby should be more tolerable to the noise being able to sleep in a medium loud room. We'll see, we'll see))
Altogether, during my pregnancy I survived through a couple of super long shifts. The two I remeber the best were St. Patrick's (17 hours total, 16 weeks pregnant) and hockey play off when we had two bartenders instead of regular four (12 hours, 28 weeks pregnant). Week 30 was my last one, just like I planned. Honestly, I am very proud of myself and very thankful to the baby for helping me make that last money before my maternity leave. I think I could even last a couple weeks more twice a week or something, but I had my best friend giving me a surprise visit on my birthday and staying for two weeks, so it worked out quite perfect.
I think being active and feeling useful helped me to stay positive for the most part. Sitting at home and being lazy - that's what is really depressing. Even though I still try to stay as active as I possibly can considering my huge belly and constant fatigue. I let my body sleep a lot. But I do walk my dog at least twice a day, I still go out with my girls to grab some lunch or coffee, I clean the house all by myself, cook from scratch almost every day, do some grocery shopping, etc. I practise prenatal yoga, pilates and even cardio. I used to hate yoga before being pregnant, I considered it boring and useless, but it really helps me to relax now.
I do miss my work a lot!!!! And I do plan to get back to it as soon as I will be able to, at least for two days a week. I miss the social aspect the most, plus extra cash would never hurt. I know it will be challenging now having a baby, but who said I am gonna give up. I love challenges! It's always a chance to push yourself forward and to achieve more. I love discovering my limits. As a matter of fact I haven't found any so far. I know that I can do anything if I am motivated enough. All the limits are born in your brain, but the power of the human spirit is truely boundless and inexhaustible.
I took these shots during the last days that I was working. 30 weeks pregnant!
PS. People do tip you better when you are pregnant lol Thank you to all of my generous and supportive customers!