Working while pregnant provided me the opportunity to think on what I want out of sharing my pregnancy news with others. For the first pregnancy and this third one, I worked during part or most all of the pregnancy. Choosing when to share the news to my supervisors was easy as I didn’t feel much threat in my job situation, but rather support and openness. Sharing with colleagues proved similar. This pregnancy, one symptom offered me the opportunity to feel completely and entirely out of control though. No, not nausea or exhaustion, though I’m sure I looked disgruntled, spaced-out, and faint on numerous occasions.

For this pregnancy I wanted to share at work partly because I felt the need for my actions to be justified. I am not big on tears. I don’t have anything against crying, and do participate in it from time to time. Overall it does not come up naturally for me as often as it does for some. Crying also leaves me with a tenacious headache. This pregnancy I find I cry at the drop of a hat. When your job involves walking into hospital patient’s rooms to be a support to them in moments of crisis, closure, and joy. You see how crying could become an issue?

Strangely, it wasn’t the big things—a sick kiddo, a dying loved one—that caused the tears to flow. Instead the smaller interactions with co-workers that gave me away. Even a small gift of gratitude given to me, a little box of chocolates, set the waterworks in motion. A co-worker even asked if something was going on because I was so apt to red, tired, glassy eyes. It was at that point, with baby bump still well concealed, that I let the news go free.

I write all this to say there are many reasons why one might choose to share or not share at work—concerns about maternity leave, relationship to boss and co-workers, company culture, visible proof of growing babe in belly, food aversions, frequent trips to the bathroom, and so on. For some, the reasons are less typical. This is one of those rare situations where I took on one of the minor “side-effects” for a physical condition (pregnancy hormones). My eyes gave it away.

Annie is a mom of a two- and three-year-old who finally is enjoying the full spectrum of food again. Hurrah and huzzah!