Should men expect their wife to work while pregnant?

Question

I may be expecting, not sure yet but I suspect that I am. I told my husband that it will probably be too much for me to work if I am pregnant. He says that I need to still work even if I find out for sure that I'm pregnant.

Even without being pregnant my life is extremely stressful and I don't know if I could handle all that while pregnant. I work part time in retail, which means standing on my feet my entire shift, I go to school full time taking 4 classes, and I'm very serious about my religious practices which takes about 3 days of my week. Not to mention that I make sure just about all the bills are on time (rent, electric, phone,etc all in my name). Do you think he's expecting too much of me?? Is that too much for a pregnant woman to handle?

...Not to mention, he claims that taking care of the bills is not a big deal and that I need to stop complaining and saying it's difficult.

Let me make it clear that I never said I'm TRYING to have a child. Sometimes these things happen unexpectedly....Thank you very much.

It's funny how every1 thinks I'm lazy, when I'm working and going to school full time, and taking care of all they bills, yet no one is calling him lazy for just going to work coming home and relaxing and not having to worry about paying any bills. Nor does he take any initiative if anything breaks around the house or the car breaks, down etc. I take care of ALL of those things. Yet, somehow, I'm the lazy one....

Answer 1

hi there!
I believe that there shouldn't be a problem for about first trimester. However, after that you shouldn't be stressful too much so no u shouldn't be doing everything that u do as of now...try to divide it with your partner!

I believe that severe stress is bad for baby!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I have a friend who had 4 children, a husband, and went to school full time and worked full time while pregnant. I think you should work during pregnancy and many women do to help support the family.

You could cut down on the religion and that would save time. What is the point of 3 days a week for religion? That is excessive. Maybe go to church 2 or 3 times a month if that is your thing. A job will help pay the bills, not religion.

Also taking care of the bills is not really a big deal as most bills can be paid online now and it takes no time at all. Also a calculator and a check registry plus online banking and a phone call to the bank will show your balance. I think your just using the bill paying as an excuse.

Answer 3

Unless you have unforeseen problems, you should sail right through the end of the semester. After that, I would cut back on my classes, keep the job as you mentioned you "just about" pay all the bills on time so I am assuming you need the money, understandably, school is expensive, but so are babies. As for your religious practices, that shouldn't be a problem either. I don't think asking you to continue to work or expecting you to, is asking too much. Look around, there's tons of preggos out there working. My daughter worked until she was 32 weeks carrying twins and has a 3 year old to care for.

Answer 4

Oh man... I would tell him... If paying the bills isn't so stressful to you, then why don't you pay them all? lol... You do have a very busy life right now, I mean why get pregnant in the first place? Unless it was unplanned... I worked until 2 weeks before I was due, and it was only because I knew that i wouldn't be able to work when my baby was born, and I didn't until she turned 1. This is something serious that you both need to sit down and talk about... Every woman's body is different, maybe you can handle it, maybe you can't.... I hope it all works out for the both of you...

Answer 5

I worked right up until 3 days before having our 5th child and while it can be tiring and the swollen ankles can be unsightly it's a natural part of pregnancy. You are only in the first trimester of your pregnancy so it won't be too hard on you. Many women generally work until they are 7 or 8 months into their pregnancy before taking maternity leave. Slow down on your religious practices and take your time with your job and classes so you have plenty of rest.

No, I don't think your husband is expecting too much, he can always get a second income when you do finally give up working. As for paying the bills, where is the stress in that?

Answer 6

I don't know why you are thinking about having a baby if your life is so stressful. It sounds like whether you worked or not it would be stressful because you are not dealing with your life correctly. Anyway, I personally feel it is better to work while you are pregnant. I worked until the day before I had my son and it was a physical job. I actually think it helped make my son healthier. However, after the baby is born is another story. I feel you should not work again until the baby is 6 months to one year, even longer if you can afford it. Also, having a baby is rewarding, but can be more stressful at times than any other job you have ever had in your life!

Answer 7

Question is could you financially survive with your working? My wife now stays home with the kids, but she worked through both her pregnancies in a stressful job until the day she went into labor. She knew financially it would be difficult then. But now we are over that bridge and she is a stay home a mom.

Ask your husband what are his reasons. If it is financial then you might have too. You might want to cut back on school and your religious practices. Honestly after you have the baby, you will have no time for yourself. So some thing to think about.

Answer 8

I have friends that had to work retail, customer service jobs while pregnant and they did fine and they had to work extended hours being 8+ hour shifts on their feet. They handled it. If you 2 arnt in a financial position to have this child where you cant stop working then what do you expect? Him to just work extra so you can go to school and practice your religeous beliefs? It should be a fair contribution. Look for an office job part time so you can be sitting down. I have co-workers who work with me whove worked until their last month last few weeks and they are fine alot of them are already parents and dont have a choice.

Answer 9

I agree with the answer above, if just general life (work, bills, church etc...which EVERYONE has), is too much for you, WHY are you even trying to get pregnant???? I'm not being mean, but you sound immature...are you sure you don't want to wait until you are a little more mature and well rounded to have children. Having children is a selfless job and with the number of "me and my" in your post, you sound a little self absorbed. By the way, you only work part time now (yes, and school) - your husband is not being unreasonable.

Answer 10

Okay I worked (until the doctor ordered me not to), went to school, took care of my other daughter, took care of the house, help take care of my Dad ( he was really sick and couldn't be left alone), all while I was pregnant.

So don't try to play pitty party here. If he is so lazy then why did you marry him? If it is too much YOU moake HIM pay the bills.

If you are prego then I would say try to find another job that will let you sit down some. And no it is not wrong for a man to expect their wife to work while prego.

Answer 11

You're kidding right?

Pregnancy is a natural process and millions of women work while they are pregnant. I worked through all 4 of my pregnancies - full time. I also went to school during three of them. Get over yourself already - you're not special. My sister-in-law worked until the day before delivering twins at 38 weeks for pete sake!

Yes - he should offer to help with the house more and maybe take over the bills but you "needing" to quit work is outrageously childish.