Employee Privilege

Q: My co-workers constantly tell me my desires and preferences for labor aren’t going to happen – how can I handle that?

A: Your workplace may not be the right environment to share birth preferences or post-natal priorities. Birth is very personal. After all, it’s part of our human sexuality and reproduction-and that demands privacy.

So, use this situation as your first step in defining clear boundaries and protecting your instincts. Your co-workers weren’t privileged to hear how you made a baby-I hope!-so they needn’t hear how you will meet that baby. Remember that while what resonates for you is important, your colleagues might not be coming from a neutral place. Some women won’t be able to acknowledge your personal preferences and may take your choices as a rejection of theirs-or use your pregnancy to talk about what still hurts about their delivery experience.

Finding like-minded women outside of your professional network can be a valuable tool, so seeking a mother’s support group-online or in person-might give you a more appropriate place to process your birth options and desires.

By Pregnancy Editors

The Editors at Pregnancy are constantly scouring the news and best information to provide readers with the most accurate advice and latest trends in pregnancy and new motherhood. Together we've experienced most of the ups and downs of the pregnancy journey and are here to share and help you along the way.