At Kid You Not, we know how hard Singapore women work and how much harder it can feel when you’re doing it while pregnant.
You’re used to being capable, dependable, and top of your game. Maybe you’re leading meetings, handling deadlines, managing teams, all while growing a baby inside you. And if you’re like many career women in Singapore, you might feel the pressure to “push through” and “prove” that pregnancy hasn’t slowed you down.
But here’s the truth: working too hard during pregnancy can carry real risks for both you and your baby. And many women aren’t told this until they’re already running on empty.
Let’s talk about it.
The High-Pressure Reality for Pregnant Career Women in Singapore
In Singapore’s fast-paced, high-performance work culture, productivity is often prized above everything else. For ambitious women, pregnancy can feel like an obstacle to overcome rather than a signal to slow down.
Some common workplace pressures include:
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Staying late to avoid appearing “less committed”
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Hiding morning sickness or fatigue during meetings
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Skipping medical appointments to meet deadlines
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Continuing high-travel or physically demanding roles
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Taking pride in “doing it all” without help
It’s not about weakness. It’s about unrealistic expectations, internalised guilt, and a system that doesn’t always support slowing down.
What Does Work Stress Actually Do to Pregnancy?
Ongoing, unmanaged stress during pregnancy has been linked to:
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Increased risk of preterm labour
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Low birth weight in babies
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High blood pressure or gestational hypertension
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Increased risk of miscarriage in early stages
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Prenatal anxiety and postpartum depression
And it’s not just about the baby. Stress also wears down your immune system, affects your sleep, and impacts your ability to enjoy this incredibly personal season of your life.
You may be physically capable, but your body is doing so much behind the scenes. Pushing it too far can have lasting consequences.
How Can SG Career Women Protect Their Health During Pregnancy?
This doesn’t mean quitting your job or pulling back from everything. But it does mean recognising your limits and taking your wellbeing seriously.
Here are 5 tips to manage work stress while pregnant:
1. Communicate Early (and Clearly)
Inform your manager or HR team about your pregnancy and discuss reasonable expectations, including support for medical leave and flexible scheduling.
2. Reassess Your Workload
Not everything needs to be done by you. Delegate when possible. Ask yourself: Can this wait? Can someone else handle it?
3. Take Breaks Without Guilt
Breaks aren’t laziness. They’re pregnancy self-care. A 10-minute walk, a nap on weekends, or even stepping away from screens helps regulate stress.
4. Don’t Skip Check-Ups
Keep every doctor’s appointment. Your physical and mental health check-ins are non-negotiable.
5. Let Go of the “Prove Myself” Mindset
You’ve already proven yourself. You’re growing a human. You don’t need to prove you can do everything exactly the same as before.
You Deserve to Thrive, Not Just Survive
Pregnancy isn’t a pause in your career. But it also isn’t a challenge to bulldoze through. You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to ask for help. And most importantly, you’re allowed to protect your body and your baby without apology.
At Kid You Not, we’re here to support real conversations about modern parenting and maternal wellness in Singapore. If this resonated with you, share it with a fellow mum-to-be who might be pushing too hard too.
Hello! I am Mummy Natalie!
I am one of the editors of KidYouNot Parenting Blog! coffee is my life saviour as a mum of two. My parenting philosophy? Hugs, love, and lots of patience (because honestly, some days need all three). I enjoy sneaking in kopi breaks, spontaneous family makan sessions, and turning everyday chaos into fun memories.
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