any advice appreciated

So...I just started my four month stretch of student teaching and working until 8/8:30 every night. My days are as follows:

6am wake up, 7am out the door, 730 start school day, 3:30 leave school, 4pm arrive at job, 8/8:30pm leave job and finally go home.

As you can see, the day is long, for most of it I am on my feet (classroom) and not really able to eat a lot (as I have been needing).

Today I felt like I was going to throw up the whole day. I have a grueling headache at the moment as well, and am utterly exhausted. All I want to do is crawl under my desk. While I do not mind as I know this all comes with the territory, and I am thrilled to be pregnant, I also would love to get the most out of my student teaching experience and NOT dread going in every day.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom? I am 8 weeks pregnant today.

TIA!!

Message edited 9/7/2011 4:39:27 PM.

Re: any advice appreciated

I know there's nothing you can do about scheduling but as far as the food goes, pack millions of snacks that you can eat throughout the day. I know it's less than idea to eat in front of the kids and on all your free periods, but it will def make you feel better and avoid getting famished... Stuff like granola bars, peanut butter crackers, dry cereal, crackers, pretzals, individually packed stuff that you can just pop in your mouth without making a mess, ya know?
Feel better and good luck. Hang in there!

Re: any advice appreciated

Posted by smooney

I know there's nothing you can do about scheduling but as far as the food goes, pack millions of snacks that you can eat throughout the day. I know it's less than idea to eat in front of the kids and on all your free periods, but it will def make you feel better and avoid getting famished... Stuff like granola bars, peanut butter crackers, dry cereal, crackers, pretzals, individually packed stuff that you can just pop in your mouth without making a mess, ya know?
Feel better and good luck. Hang in there!

Re: any advice appreciated

Your day sounds very long! My day is usually from 7am to 7pm - so I can relate. From about 8w -12 weeks I have to say I was like a zombie ALL day long at work, I could not get it together, felt like I was in a daze and I was EXHAUSTED. The only advice that I can give you is that this will pass and it will get so much easier. I had given up my daily cup of coffee but doc said 1 cup was ok so it helped me stay awake. Also EAT, bring snacks with you, eat in the am, keep yourself nurished that will def help your enerGY AND ward off that nausea.

Hope that you start feeling better soon Mama!

Re: any advice appreciated

I need to eat every 1.5 hours or I start gagging. My advice, is the same as above posters. Try to pack snacks and eat carbs (bagels, pretzels, crackers). I find PB&J helps a lot too. Protein is supposed to help.

Message edited 9/7/2011 5:25:25 PM.

Re: any advice appreciated

I was pregnant with my first while I was a teacher, and wasn't working another job after that. Holey Moley that's a lot of time to be out of the huose, and the first trimester is just exhausting.

The amazing thing is that we get through these things. Years later we look back and wonder how the heck we did it.

I also think you need to pack plenty of snacks. Crackers, sliced cheese or cheese sticks, nuts, fruit that can be packed easily like apples, bananas, grapes, clementines.

I hope you are feeling better and it's all worth it in the end!

Re: any advice appreciated

Did you tell your cooperating teacher that you're pregnant? I know it's early to broadcast it but I think it would be helpful for them to know so that they can be understanding. Ideally its a woman with kids that can really relate.

As for the schedule, it's really hard. I just started back and am up at 5am and home at 5pm. It's tiring when I wasn't pregnant. It will get easier as you get into a routine and settle into your role there.

As for snacks, they are a must! Check with the teacher about possible food allergies though. I would bring things daily but also ask if you can throw a whole box or two of something in the desk or closet just in case. Granola bars, almonds, pop tarts, bananas, crackers, yogurt...I would eat any of those in class if I needed to.

Lastly, I know you probably don't want to hear this but I would look at cutting a few hours if possible. I worry about you having time to plan lessons on top of school/work and still having time to sleep at night.

I'm sure everything will work out well one way or another. Good luck!

Re: any advice appreciated

Message edited 9/7/2011 6:02:38 PM.

Re: any advice appreciated

Hours wise it sounds like my day, but I just start earlier (5AM). I agree with all the other posters. You NEED to eat during the day more. I would get a lot of protein in there. Mixed nuts are so easy to pop in your mouth and still move. I love the individually packaged hummus from Costco with fresh veggies. Special K makes a wheat thin style cracker that is really good. String cheese is another easy snack to have.

Good luck!

Re: any advice appreciated

I'm a teacher and for the first and some of the second trimester i was working similar hours. 7-6. (i teach privately after school)

Lots of good snacks and lots of water. I ate something between every class if I was not throwing up.

Re: any advice appreciated

I had my husband go tot he store today to get me a bunch of small snacks: mini cookies, saltines, cubed cheese, PB & J crackers, string cheese, and bottles of OJ for energy pick up. Hoping this will help. I made sure I kept my belly as full as possible today, and it wasn't as bad as yesterday. It was the sleepiness that got me today. It was all I could do to stop myself from putting my head down on one of the kid's desks!!