Nine Months and Counting

Abstract

Chapter 2 explores the foundations of working motherhood as women become pregnant and begin to negotiate professional and mothering roles as they disclose their pregnancies at work and prepare for maternity leave. We discuss three significant adjustments most women experience as they begin to integrate pregnancy and work. The first is a psychological adjustment that starts as a pregnant woman begins to envision her future identity as a working mother. The second adjustment is a physical one that stems from how a woman copes with her changing body in the workplace. The last adjustment is an interpersonal one and relates to how a pregnant woman manages interactions with her boss and her colleagues. We explore various ways women navigate these adjustments and how they set women up for positively integrating work and motherhood.