If you’re a first-time mama trying to survive pregnancy while managing your 9–6, you’re probably juggling deadlines, meetings, and random baby kicks, all while Googling whether it’s okay to eat pineapple during pregnancy haha...
Balancing work and pregnancy is not easy. The nausea, fatigue, backaches, and sudden mood swings can catch you off guard and affect your performance also.
This post is for all the mamas-to-be who are trying to hold it together at work. We’ll share some common discomforts, what’s happening from a TCM point of view, and simple ways you can support your body one step at a time.
Common Discomforts During Pregnancy
Here are a few common symptoms we often hear from our corporate clients (especially first-time mums):
- 🌅 Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting)
- 💤 Fatigue
- 🚽 Constipation
- 🌙 Insomnia
- 🤕 Body aches, such as neck pain and backaches
- 🍲 Digestive issues like bloating, heartburn, and acid reflux
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry — you’re not alone, and you’re not weak. Your body is doing a full renovation project inside.
First Trimester (Weeks 1–12): Protect and Stabilise
What’s happening:
During the first 3 months, our body will direct most of the qi and blood to the uterus to support the growth of baby, ensuring the baby gets all the nutrients and energy. This causes imbalance in the flow of qi, affecting digestive system and causing a series of symptoms.
Common symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Bloating, heartburn
- Poor appetite
- Dizziness
TCM tips:
- Eat foods that support digestion: Chinese Yam, Poria, Lion's Mane Mushroom, Brazilian mushroom.
- Try gently pressing the Nei Guan point (2.5 finger widths from your inner wrist crease) to ease morning sickness and bloating stomach.
Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27): Support and Strengthen
What’s happening:
As baby grows, the additional weight will burden your back and legs, leading to back pain and soreness. Leg cramps, especially during night time due to increased pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in your legs. This can affect your daily activities and your sleeping quality.
Common symptoms:
- Back pain
- Leg cramps (usually at night)
- Sleep issues
- Mood swings
TCM tips:
- Strengthen kidneys and bones with foods like black beans, goji berries, walnuts, mulberries, and Eucommia bark.
- Gently pressing the Shen Shu point (located on the spine between the second and third lumbar vertebra ) to relieve lumbar pain.
- Take short walks every hour — especially if you're working from a desk all day.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40): Prepare and Nourish
What’s happening:
The growing uterus puts pressure on the veins and slows down the return of qi and blood, causing fluid retention and thus leading to swelling. Furthermore, the growing uterus will press against the diaphragm, causing shortness of breaths. Pregnant mummy will find it challenging to get a good night’s sleep due to all the discomforts and might have difficulty to concentrate during work.
Common symptoms:
- Swollen feet
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent urination
- Trouble sleeping
TCM tips:
- Support qi and reduce water retention with herbs like Poria, Bai Zhu, Qian Shi, and Lion’s Mane.
- Our pre-partum cleansing tea (ask us!) can also help support smoother delivery.
- Soak feet in warm water for 15 minutes before bed to ease swelling and promote better sleep.
- Try deep breathing or gentle prenatal yoga
Corporate life isn’t exactly pregnancy-friendly. Some daily habits to watch out for:
🚫 Skipping meals or having cold salads on-the-go?
👉 Try warm, nourishing soups or small frequent meals instead.
🚫 Working till midnight, then scrolling on your phone in bed?
👉 Switch off earlier and try herbal teas to support better sleep.
🚫 Constant stress from work piling up?
👉 TCM sees emotional health as part of your physical health. Stress impacts digestion, sleep, and even baby’s development.
Every pregnancy is different, just like every woman’s body. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all advice. Whether you’re dealing with nausea, backaches, or just trying to make it through work with swollen feet, you’re doing great.
If you need a little help figuring out what your body needs — through food, herbs, or lifestyle — our certified TCM practitioners are here for you.
💬 Reach out to us now! We’ll walk this journey with you.