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Your Career and Your Pregnancy
More than half of all women work outside the home. Many women work until the day they deliver.
Whether you work throughout your pregnancy depends on your particular circumstances; it's a subject to discuss with your doctor. No matter what kind of job you do or whether you work full or part time, expect to modify some daily activities. If your profession is especially demanding, set priorities and establish guidelines with coworkers about how much you can do during pregnancy.
If you are concerned about whether your workplace is a safe environment during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor. It may be difficult to know the specific risks of a particular job; the goal is to minimize any risks to you and your baby while enabling you to work. A healthy woman with an ordinary job should be able to work throughout her pregnancy.
WORK PRECAUTIONS DURING PREGNANCY
If you work during your pregnancy, keep in mind a few precautions. You will probably have to slow down and to lighten your duties. Expect to take things a little easier at work and at home-you may not be able to do some of the things you do when you aren't pregnant. Ask for help when you need it.
Making Changes
Your center of gravity is changing, so you may have to change the way you do certain tasks-lifting, for example. Do most of your lifting with your legs. Bend your knees to lift; don't bend at the waist. As your abdomen grows larger, don't lift anything heavier than 20 pounds.
Avoid activities that involve climbing and balance, especially during the 3rd trimester. Talk to your supervisor about eliminating these activities. If you stand all day at your job, you may have to sit down for a period of time.
With a "sit-down" job, get up and move around regularly to stimulate circulation. Sit in a chair that offers good support for your back and legs. Don't slouch or cross your legs while sitting.
Work Risks Associated with Pregnancy
If your job includes two or more of the following risks, tell your doctor. He may want to monitor your pregnancy more closely. Work-related pregnancy risks include the following:
• standing more than 3 hours a day
• work on an industrial machine, especially if it vibrates a lot or requires strenuous effort to operate
• strenuous physical tasks, such as lifting, pulling, pushing or heavy cleaning
• repetitious work, such as an assembly-line job
• environmental factors, such as high noise levels or extreme temperatures
• long work hours
• shift changes
• exposure to infectious diseases
• exposure to chemicals or toxic substances
Some substances in the workplace can harm a developing fetus. If you think you may be exposed to hazardous substances, discuss it with your doctor. Substances may also be brought into your home on your work clothes or those of someone else in your family. A discussion of hazardous environmental substances begins on page 60.
Working at a Computer
To date, we have no evidence that working at a computer or video display terminal (VDT) can harm a growing baby. However, be aware of how long you sit and the way you sit; keep good circulation in your legs. Get up and walk around frequently. If you need to be reminded to stop and exercise during the day to keep you feeling tiptop, there's software you can load onto your computer to help remind you to keep in shape. The program, Stretch Ware™, is available from Shelter Publications and can lead you through many different routines. You can focus on your hands, shoulders, lower back, legs or neck-each routine is fast and easy.
JOB STRESS AND FATIGUE
Stress and fatigue are common during pregnancy. Fatigue can be an early sign of pregnancy. For some women, the feeling lasts throughout pregnancy. For others, stress on the job or at home can cause fatigue during the day or sleeping problems at night.
If possible, lie down during breaks or on your lunch hour. Even 10 or 15 minutes of rest can make you feel better. Do leg-stretching foot exercises several times each hour or whenever you can. Remove your shoes before doing the following exercise. Extend your legs in front, point your toes, then flex your feet. Repeat four or five times. This exercise helps circulation in your feet and may prevent some swelling in your legs.
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