Three pregnancies x three pre-term labours x building my empire = no fun at all!

But I’ve since learned how to cope with the disruption of a hospital stay to remain on top of work and take it in my stride. Here are my top five tips and supermamapreneurials for dealing with pre-term labour while empire-building.

Tip #1: Tell Your Doctor And Get To The Hospital 

This time around, my contractions started around 10pm and they were, at first, irregular – about five to 12 minutes apart. And I kind of knew that these weren’t Braxton Hicks contractions or false labour, because I did start to feel physically uncomfortable at around 6pm. This is something I learned about my body during my last two pregnancies, when labour was imminent. This is also something that has become a warning to me to be prepared for what’s coming.

Supermamapreneurial #1: Be Ready

Ensure hospital bags (pre-birth and post-birth, just in case), including things needed for work e.g. laptop, are packed and ready to go. I woke up at 4am with intense contractions that were a steady five minutes apart, and I knew it was time to take action to stop these contractions. Mama is not ready for you yet baby, and you’re not ready for the world either!

Tip #2: Relax And Focus On Positives 

Once you’ve informed the doctor and you’re at the hospital – relax. This might be difficult, but it’s true that fretting in your head about all the good and bad possibilities about pre-term labour, the baby, and work won’t help. You’ll only succeed in worrying yourself silly instead of focusing your energies on positive solutions.

Supermamapreneurial #2: Get Productive

While waiting for the nursing staff and doctor to examine me and for the medication to kick in, I like to do something productive, such as make a few lists of what needs to be taken care of, for work and home. This helps me focus on moving forward, instead of worrying myself in circles.

Tip #3: Reverse Your Aversion To Needles 

I don’t think there’s anyone who hates needles more than I do. All these pre-term labours and having babies haven’t changed that, though I must admit I’m less averse to them now than I was four years ago.

I realised that the more I built it up in my head that I hated needles, the bigger the issue seemed to be. And because there was no two ways about this, i.e. the needles were necessary, I decided to just suck it up and stop being a baby about it. Although this does nothing for the pain that comes with all these needles, it has helped to calm my mind whilst going through it.

Supermamapreneurial #3: A Calm Mind Is Key For Great Ideas

I then wouldn’t have to waste time trying to center myself again to focus for work. By the way, once the drip catheter is in your hand, I’ve learned that putting the laptop flat on the table is the best way to go. Don’t put your laptop on an incline because, while it is more ergonomic in the usual situation when you work without the drip in your hand, this angle will cause the drip catheter to poke your vein at an awkward angle and/or wrist and it will be painful.

Tip #4: Reschedule And Work With Doctor’s Orders 

The cardiotocography machine or CTG machine will be part of your life until your baby is born, as it records foetal heartbeats and uterine contractions. It can be a pain, because sometimes you have to lie still for an hour at a go, but it is reassuring to hear the baby’s heartbeat. And, if the medications that the doctor has given are working, it is most calming to watch the monitor assure you that your contractions are going or have gone away.

Supermamapreneurial #4: Work Around It

Since I know I can’t get out of going through multiple CTG sessions, I’ve devised a way to keep up with work and still comply with doctor’s orders. What I like to do is to get the nurses to tell me when each CTG session will be, and I’ll plan my work around it. For example, if I have to be sitting up and typing out stuff, I’ll do that before the CTG session or after. I leave all the thinking work for when I have to lie down during the CTG session. Sometimes I type out ideas when I’m sitting up and then let those ideas simmer whilst I’m lying down.

Tip #5: Re-Training To Deal With Bed-Rest

And, as expected, my doctor put me on bed-rest! This, for me, is worse than being busy because I can’t do most things e.g. can’t drive, can’t go shopping, can’t be on my feet for too long to do stuff, can’t carry the kids, and there’s only so much TV I can watch before it gets boring. There’s no greater pain to me than the loss of my freedom and independence.

Supermamapreneurial #5: Bed-Rest Is The Time To Get Creatively Lazy

I’ve realised that bed-rest is the time to get creative and find the laziest way to get something done, effectively and efficiently. This is the time to try and do what I can from the comfort of my bed or sofa, without walking around. If the kids want a cuddle, they’ll have to climb up onto the bed for one. If there are things that need to be bought, I’ll find an online store and get it delivered. If my employees need something, they’ll have to come to me for a consult. Everything revolves around the bed-resting me.

The important thing to keep in mind, though, is that being on bed-rest means resting also. Be sure to carve out time for rest, so you’ll be able to be at your best.

This is an opinion piece based on the author’s experiences. This is not in any way medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any medical advice. 

_{This post was first published on The Supermamapreneur and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.
Image credit: Pregnant woman working in clothes store near to computer from Shutterstock}

_{Edited by Nedda Chaplin}

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