Pregnancy and Work

Many women work during pregnancy without any complications. Being able to work safely, in some cases, until the day of delivery depends on the type of work performed and your medical condition.

In general, it is OK to work during pregnancy.  Some women however, may find they prefer not to work during pregnancy. Still others may find they have to adjust their work schedule, especially if they work in a strenuous position, to accommodate their pregnancy. 

Being able to work safely, in some cases until the day of delivery, depends on the type of work you do and on the medical condition of you and your baby. If, like most women, you continue to work through your pregnancy, it is important to be aware that the workplace can present risks, depending upon the occupation. Knowing what these risks are and minimizing them will help increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

The following has been adapted from websites listed at the bottom of the page.

Many women find work more challenging during pregnancy. This often results from the increased fatigue associated with pregnancy and, in the first trimester, with morning sickness. Later in your pregnancy, you may find back pain and swelling contribute to your fatigue and discomfort both on and off the job.

When at work, always be sure to wear comfortable clothing. If you sit at a desk most of the day, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and hands. If you can, elevate your feet during the day. The American Medical Association recommends the following for working pregnant women:

* take a break every few hours
* take a longer meal break every four hours
* drink plenty of fluids while on the job
* vary work positions continuously, from sitting to standing and walking
* minimize heavy lifting and bending

Be sure to discuss the following possible job risks with your health care provider:

* Exposure to metals such as mercury and lead can lead to birth defects, miscarriage, and other problems.
* Exposure to solvents such as household cleaning agents and pesticides can lead to fetal deformity and other problems.
* Exposure to pharmaceutical agents, such as chemotherapy may increase the rate of miscarriage, low birth weight, and malformations.
* Exposure to infections on the job, such as hepatitis, rubella, and other diseases can cause multiple problems during pregnancy.
* Exposure to physical agents such as radiation and radioactive waste can lead to abnormal fetal development, miscarriage, and other problems.
* Exposure to extreme heat on the job early in pregnancy may increase neural tube defects in the fetus.
* Physical job demands, such as prolonged standing or walking, heavy lifting, working varying shifts, and job stress can adversely affect a pregnancy.

Proper lifting techniques during pregnancy:

Weight gain during pregnancy adds strain to the back. Proper lifting can help reduce the strain and prevent injury. When lifting, a pregnant woman should keep in mind the following recommendations:

1. stand with feet shoulder-width apart
2. tuck in the buttocks
3. bend at the knees
4. lift with the arms and legs, not the back
5. limit the amount and weight of the items lifted

The controversy over video display terminals:

Today, many occupations involve the use of a computer. According to the March of Dimes, 50 million workers in the US use a computer on their job. Studies have shown that video display terminals (VDTs) do not emit x-rays to users of the computer.  However, another type of energy emitted by VDTs - electromagnetic field - is under investigation. No link has yet been found between exposure to the electromagnetic field of VDTs and risk to pregnant women.

If you’re pregnant, you’re already a working mom. If you work outside the home, here are 25 tips for working moms-to-be from Working Mother magazine. From coping with morning sickness, to negotiating your maternity leave, to making your return to the workplace easier, here’s what you need to know to make your transition from work to home and back again as smooth as it can be.  The following has been adapted from the March of Dimes: work and pregnancy website.

Keep Yourself Healthy at Work

1. Combat morning sickness. Keep carbohydrate-rich snacks in your desk, such as crackers, popcorn and pretzels. For more ideas, read the article about managing nausea.

2. Don’t skip meals. Eat at least three healthy meals a day and make them as healthy as possible. Eat nutritious snacks—like carrot sticks or bananas—throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable (they’re more volatile when you’re pregnant).

3. Drink lots of water. Staying well hydrated keeps your body’s fluid volume up, nourishes your growing baby and helps maintain your energy level.

4. Get moving. Even moderate exercise can keep a host of pregnancy woes at bay. Get up and walk around once an hour or so; sitting or standing in the same position for a long time increases the possibility of blood clots, varicose veins and swelling.

5. Fight fatigue. Getting enough sleep is crucial. Ten or 11 hours a night is not unusual for pregnant women. Try to arrange a catnap at work, either on a sofa or with your feet up on your desk.

6. Plan a timely departure. Try not to work right up until your due date. You need a little time to relax and unwind. Remember, stress hormones can make labor more difficult.

Negotiate Your Maternity Leave

7. Know the law. Unlike many other countries, the United States doesn't’t provide for paid maternity leave. Since 1993, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires companies with more than 50 employees to allow parents 12 weeks of job-guaranteed time off, unpaid.

8. Learn the laws of your state. Some states have laws that extend FMLA coverage. Vermont mandates that companies with as few as 10 workers must allow 12 weeks of unpaid leave for new parents. California has extended its disability insurance to cover major family events, such as the birth of a child. For more information about state coverage, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Web site.

9. Do your homework. Research your company’s maternity leave policy. Read the employee manual. Talk to someone in human resources about paid and unpaid time off. Find out if you can add vacation or accrued sick time to your paid leave. Ask about how your annual bonus or review will be affected by your leave. If you’re adopting, inquire about cash awards to defray costs. Check with co-workers to see what arrangements they made.

10. Consider your timing. In general, it’s best to wait until the end of your first trimester to let your boss know that you’re pregnant. But, if you’re suffering through morning sickness or having a difficult pregnancy, you may need to discuss your pregnancy earlier. If your boss initiates a discussion about your leave before you’re ready, say that you’re working on the details of your request and promise to communicate the specifics by a certain date.

11. Define what you want. Figure out how much time you’d like to take. Think about taking time off before the baby’s born or phasing back into your job by working part time. Make a budget and figure out how much unpaid leave or partial pay your family can afford.

12. Keep your options open. Consider things you can’t control, such as when the baby is born, the difficulty of finding child care or the possibility that you may be too physically drained to return to work quickly. Think twice about using all your vacation and sick days for maternity leave—save some days for later.

13. Anticipate your boss’s concerns. Your boss will want to know how long you’you'll be away and how your work will get done. Figure out how your job can be covered in your absence.

14. Draw up a plan. Make a written list of everything you want to ask for, as well as alternatives if one of your requests is denied.

15. Negotiate—and be ready to bargain. Open your negotiations by emphasizing your commitment to the company and your plan to continue working after the baby is born. If you can’t get as much time as you’d like, try to negotiate a staggered return, telecommuting, or working part time temporarily.

16. Promise to be available—within limits. If you’re asking your employer to be flexible, it’s a good idea to show that you can be flexible, too. Agree to be available for consultation, but be realistic about what you’you'll be able to do while caring for a newborn.

17. Confirm it all in writing. Once you and your boss agree to a plan, write a letter outlining your understanding of the arrangement and keep a copy. If you have problems or questions about negotiating your leave, call the National Job Survival Hotline at (800) 522-0925, sponsored by 9to5, the National Association of Working Women.

Make the Transitions Smooth

18. Divvy up your duties. Don’t leave the matter of your replacement until the 11th hour (or ninth month, in this case). Find out if you’re expected to play a role in finding and training her. If your colleagues are expected to pitch in and help, start long-term projects before you leave and hand off small, distinct tasks to particular people.

19. Tidy up. Put your desk in order. Organize your files, reports and other data that will be needed while you’re away. Create a clearly labeled folder with contact information, file locations and other pertinent information.

20. Spread the word. Let contacts and clients know when you’you'll be leaving and who’you'll be handling your work while you’re away.

21. Pack your personal stuff. If you can’t lock your office, take valuables home ahead of time. Password protect personal or confidential computer files, or copy them to a floppy disk and delete them from your computer’s hard drive.

22. Reroute your mail and change your voicemail message. Find out who will handle your mail while you're gone. When recording your out-of-office voicemail message, include the length of your absence, the approximate date you expect to return, and the name and number of the person(s) covering for you. Set up an automatic e-mail reply with the same information.

23. Take stock. Find out if you’you'll have access to voicemail and e-mail during your maternity leave. Also, find out whether you’re expected to return company equipment, such as a laptop computer that you currently use to do work at home.

24. Check out if you’re supposed to check in. Your employer may ask you to periodically report on your status and your intent to return to work, and that’s perfectly legal. You may want to touch base occasionally with the boss or colleagues for your own benefit, just to stay in the loop.

25. Stay connected to workingmother.com, where you’you'll find ideas, tools, support and inspiration to help you be the best working mom you can be!