Working During Pregnancy
If your job does not cause strain or risk to your pregnancy and you feel well during your pregnancy, you can probably work right up until your due date or even until your labor starts!
Many women like to work as long as they can so that they don’t waste any maternity leave while they are pregnant. This allows them to use more of it after their baby is born. Others get tired or uncomfortable and it becomes difficult for them to work, especially if they have a strenuous or stressful job or a long commute. Some women suffer from nausea in the morning or even all day which can make it hard for them to continue working as well.
Before you make your decision, you should talk to your doctor about your situation. Here are some tips that will keep you more comfortable and healthy while working:
* Keep crackers in your desk at work and use them to stave off nausea – a stomach that is very empty or very full will cause more problems.
* Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Dehydration will make your morning sickness worse.
* Get plenty of sleep and allow yourself more time to get ready for work in the morning. Fatigue and stress will also increase nausea.
* You might feel tired most of the time. This can be especially true during the first and third trimesters and even more so after a long day at work. It will help you to have more energy if you can take regular breaks, take a short walk (outside if you can) and move around.
If your job is more physical, try to take several rest periods during the day. This will also help you concentrate. You may want to close your office door, put your feet up and close your eyes for a few minutes during lunch or on a break.
Early and very late in your pregnancy, you may be tired by the afternoon. If this is the case, try to change your work schedule so you can get the higher-energy tasks out of the way in the morning while you are feeling fresh.
If you have a demanding job, you should try to cut back on commitments outside work so you can get more rest after work and will be prepared for the next work day.
By getting regular exercise, you will help your energy level as well. If you were exercising before you became pregnant, you can continue to do so with guidance from your doctor. If you want to start exercising during pregnancy it is very important to talk to your doctor about what you can do to stay active before you begin an exercise regimine.
Don’t be too proud to accept help at home or at work when you can. Once you and your baby are on a regular schedule and you are feeling like your old self again, you can always return the favor. Cleaning, mowing the lawn, or grocery shopping can be done by others. If you can afford it, you can hire someone to do these things for you until you can take on these responsibilities again. This will also help you to get the extra rest you’ll need to do your job every day.
It is important to remember that you don’t have to stay up until midnight to get that extra work done, just because you always did before. Go to bed when you are tired! Your body is changing. You and your baby deserve a little extra sleep.
Move around frequently to ease the stress on your muscles and back. You may even find that standing, lifting and sitting for long periods of time will make you tired or sore, so listen to your body.
There are many companies who now supply an ergonomic chair for their office workers if you have a note from your doctor. Chairs with adjustable arms and height, and a firm back can also help. If your company cannot provide you with a more comfortable chair, you can bring in a small pillow to support your lower back while you sit. To take the weight off of your lower back, put your feet up on a box, wastebasket or stool. This will also reduce foot and leg swelling.
Plan for those extra trips to the bathroom. Do not try to hold it!
If you have to stand a lot in your job, you should put your foot up on a stool or box so you can change your position and take the strain off of your low back. Change the leg you elevate every so often to be sure you pay attention to both legs throughout the day. It can also help if you will wear comfortable shoes (you may have to get a larger size shoe when you are pregnant) and use pregnancy or support pantyhose to support your legs.
If you have to do any lifting with your job, be sure your doctor is OK with the weight you are lifting. You may have to stop working sooner if your job is strenuous or requires you to lift heavy weight. No matter how much weight you are lifting, remember to lift the right way so you don’t strain your back. Your abdominal muscles are already strained so they can’t help much with the lifting!
If your job is very stressful, you will need more rest. You may also have to stop working sooner. Stress can be much worse on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Talk to your boss, your co-workers and others to see if you can reduce some of the usual stress. If you are having trouble reducing your stress, talk to your doctor so she knows what you are up against. She may suggest an earlier leave or other options since some jobs will increase your risk of pregnancy complications.
Learning relaxation exercises, or taking a Yoga class for pregnant women can also help you relieve stress and relax. It will also make you feel better over all.
Nothing is more important than your health and the health of your baby. If your job is high-risk, but you do not have a choice and must continue to work throughout your pregnancy, talk to your employer. A good employer will be understanding and will work with you as much as they can. Even if it means taking a temporary position elsewhere in the company until after the baby is born.
It is also important to talk to your doctor and/or your midwife about what you are feeling. He or She can give you the best advice when it comes to your job and your pregnancy. You should also be flexible and willing to change your plans if your condition or health is being affected by work.
