Whats Safe and Unsafe:Career

Is it safe for me to work during pregnancy?

If you are like most pregnant women, it is perfectly safe for you to continue working during your pregnancy. However, just being pregnant can present challenges. After all, your body works nonstop for nine months to create and nurture a baby. Factor in the demands of your job with all the related effects of pregnancy � from nausea and fatigue to back pain and swollen feet � and you can easily feel worn out. Stay healthy and productive on the job and learn how to alleviate some common discomforts of pregnancy and understanding when occupational duties might jeopardize your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns with your current career. Your job may have additional opportunities for you during the pregnancy, if needed.

Fatigue:
Feeling fatigued is your body's way of telling you to slow down. This can be hard while on the job. Take short, frequent breaks and accept help from others when it is offered. Get on a schedule and prioritize. Be active when you can and get as much rest as possible. Read more on Fainting

Computer Use:

Because computers are a must for many workers, researchers have spent millions of dollars studying whether sitting in front of one causes birth defects or miscarriage. They have determined that there's no evidence that it does. Of course, sitting anywhere for hours on end won't do you any good, so get up and walk around every few hours.

Being On Your Feet:
It's fine to be on your feet throughout the day, though it does get more difficult as you get on in your pregnancy. One thing that helps is support hose. They provide compression so your legs feel better and they help hold the blood in so it doesn't pool around your feet and make them puffy and swollen. Wearing a maternity belt also can help at the end of the second trimester and during the third; a belt supports the abdomen and helps redistribute some of the weight. Since standing still for long periods of time can lower your blood pressure, take breaks and sit down when possible. Ask for a foot massage from your partner at the end of the day. Do not be surprised if you experience swelling on your feet.

Photocopier Use:
Photocopiers these days are built to prevent toner dust leakage, and don't really pose a great threat to pregnant women who occasionally use them. It is safe to both you and your developing baby to make copies during the pregnancy.

Secondhand Smoke:
Avoid it as much as possible. Even if you're not the one smoking, some of the contaminants from the smoke will get into your blood. The more you're around someone who's smoking, the more of these contaminants you can absorb. Studies have shown that pregnant women exposed to someone else's tobacco smoke give birth to babies who weigh less than the babies of women who aren't exposed. Read more on Tobacco

Bending And Lifting:
You need to follow proper form when bending and lifting in order to prevent or ease back pain. Speak to your doctor about the proper methods of bending and lifting. If necessary, wear a support belt. You also may be advised against heavy lifting during the pregnancy.

Exposure To Harmful Substances:
If your career exposes you to harmful substances, it is best to take time off for the pregnancy. Consider obtaining a different job or position during the pregnancy. Chemical exposures can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

Stress:
We all know that stress is not good for anyone. That goes for pregnant women as well. It is important for you to reduce stress as much as possible to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Stress can lead to preterm labor and can put stress on the growing baby.

Comments: Whats Safe and Unsafe - Career

Comments 1 to 7 of about 7.

shaydens mama - 1329 days ago.
I am actually a working mama i work at coldstone icecream and im only nine weeks pregnant and have a 19 month old baby boy who keeps me on my toes but im willing to work till i give birth :) I LIVE IN HAWAII AND ITS SO EXPENSIVE DOWN HERE I NEED TO WORK AND IM PLANNING TO WORK TWO JOBS :) starbuck's

mel-k - 1552 days ago.
Ladies, if you are a SAHM and are looking for your career break please check out my profile. I believe in helping others and I want everyone to know about this amazing opportunity! Thanks.

jenakers - 1638 days ago.
Becky, Sounds like a good problem to have. I say go for it. Don't pass up an oportunity. You never know how long it will take to get PG. I think you will deal with it just fine. You could always 'downsize' your position, much much harder to get the promotion.

beckybear - 1638 days ago.
I am TTC and very happy with my job, have been here for 6 years. But my boss just recently left, so now I am in line for her job. I have interviewed and I'm pretty sure I will get it. But now I'm starting to stress about being a top manager and being pregnant/raising a child at the same time. I'm not even PG yet!! On one hand, I feel like I have plenty of time to get acclimated into the job and prove myself before I would have to go on maternity, on the other hand, I'm scared that my job stress will affect my PG or that I will have something happen in my PG that would affect my ability to work. My mom and some other folks seemed to think I should not go for this promotion, while others (even my old boss who is a mom of 3) said I should go for it. That things would work themselves out. I would love to chat with other working moms and what you had to deal with so I can be prepared.

b4dawn - 1641 days ago.
KarenBG - This is discrimination...check out this link for info on The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978... http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/legalissues/a/pregnancy.htm

jasmine08 - 1641 days ago.
KarenBG- I was in a similar situation. I had applied to a hospital receptionist job, i found out i was pregnant before my interview. I got hired a couple days later. Then I waited until i was 2 1/2 months pregnant and then I told them. I did feel guilty about holding that from them. I just worked extremely hard. So they could see my work ethic before i started getting sick.

KarenBG - 1642 days ago.
Did anyone take a new job knowing you were pregnant and then have to inform your boss? I am in the interview process right now and am going back and forth about whether to be upfront prior to accepting a position or after I sign on. I have already been offered a position and was feeling uncomfortable about not being forthcoming so I called to talk to the employer about it, to which she replied that she would now 'have to think about this.'