Your Online Pregnancy Help Make PregnancySurvey.com Your Home Page!
Search For:
Example: Pregnancy Morning Sickness
Home Page Pregnancy Calendar Questions and Answers Due Date Calculator Ovulation Calendar About Us Contact Us Site Map
You are here: Home -> Fatigue, Work and Pregnancy -> Working During Pregnancy Today: Tuesday, March 19
Pregnancy Topics
Preparing for Pregnancy
Health and Medical Concerns
Pregnancy Tests
Medications and Treatments
Nutrition and Exercise
Fatigue, Work and Pregnancy
Sleep and Rest During Pregnancy
Swelling and Back Pain During Pregnancy
Working During Pregnancy
Travel and Driving During Pregnancy
More than One Baby!
Changes in Your Baby
Changes in You
Your Pregnancy Partner
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Substance Use and Abuse
Single Mother-to-Be
Problems in Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery
After Your Baby's Birth
Your New Baby
Feeding Your Baby

Working During Pregnancy

More than half of all women work outside the home; many pregnant women work and do well. If you are concerned about whether your job is safe for your pregnancy, discuss your particular situation with your healthcare provider. It may be difficult to know the specific risk of a particular job—the goal is to minimize the risk to you and your baby while still enabling you to work. The average healthy woman should be able to work at most jobs throughout her pregnancy.
You will probably have to slow down if you continue to work. You may also have to take it a little easier; you may not be able to do some of the things you do when you aren't pregnant. You may have to ask for help with some of the tasks you are required to perform.
If possible, rest during your work day. Try to lie down during breaks or on your lunch hour. Even sitting in a quiet place such as in your car can be beneficial. Ten or 15 minutes of rest can make you feel better and restore your energy.

Stretch Your Legs

If you sit at a desk for your job, try to do some leg-stretching/foot exercises several times each hour. Remove your shoes before doing the following exercise: Extend your legs in front, then point your toes and flex your feet. Repeat this four or five times. It helps circulation in your feet and may prevent some swelling in your legs.

Benefit of Maternity Stockings

Whether you sit or stand at work, maternity stockings provide support for your legs. They can be helpful even if you don't work. Maternity stockings may be preferable to regular support stockings because they don't constrict your waist or abdomen. If you are concerned, discuss it with your healthcare provider. Maternity stockings are available at medical supply stores where you can be measured and fitted. A prescription may be necessary for your insurance to cover this cost.

Stay Calm!

Elevated hormones and the stress of being pregnant can trigger mood swings in you. You may also find you're more tired; it's normal. Take a break if any situation becomes more than you can bear.

Special Situations

Standing. Studies show that women who stand all day have smaller babies. If you stand all day, you may have problems at the end of your pregnancy with your feet and ankles swelling. You may have to modify your work, lie down a couple of times during the day or work fewer hours.
Active jobs. If you have an active job—for example, working in a warehouse—avoid activities that involve climbing and balance, especially during the third trimester. Talk with your supervisor about eliminating these activities for now.
Computer terminal. Some women worry about the effect working at a computer terminal might have on their baby. To date, there is no evidence that working at a computer terminal can harm a growing baby. However, if you work at a computer terminal, be aware of how long you sit and the way you sit.
Get up and move around regularly to stimulate your circulation— about once every 15 minutes. Take short walks frequently. Sit in a chair that offers good support for your back and legs. Don't slouch or cross your legs while sitting.
Harmful substances. According to Maureen Paul, M. D., M. P. H., director of the Occupational Reproductive Hazards Center at the University of Massachusetts, some substances can harm a developing fetus.
You or your partner could bring home substances you are exposed to at work. This poses a potential danger. Substances may be brought into your home on your work clothes or the work clothes of someone else in your family. If you think you may be exposed to hazardous substances, be sure to discuss it with your physician.
Fatigue, Work and Pregnancy Articles:
Sleep and Rest During Pregnancy | Swelling and Back Pain During Pregnancy | Working During Pregnancy | Travel and Driving During Pregnancy
Pregnancy Calendar
Subscribe to Pregnancy Newsletter and receive new and popular pregnancy articles every week.
Your Email Address:
Pregnancy Calendar | Questions and Answers | Pregnancy Glossary | Suggest an Article | Link to Us | Contact Us | Site Map
Please note: All pregnancy articles on this website is for educational and information purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and
treatment, you should consult your personal doctor.
Copyright © 2007, PregnancySurvey.com. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Statement
eXTReMe Tracker