Being prepared to deal with any pregnancy symptoms during work hours can help you to feel on the ball and remain professional with a minimum amount of fuss. You may want to include:
- bottles of fresh water to stay hydrated and alert
- decaf coffee or tea
- healthy snacks to keep you going (nuts, seeds, yogurt, fresh fruit, granola bars)
- natural remedies for headaches, heartburn, and nausea (reflexology, massage, aromatherapy)
- a cushion, heating pad, or hot water bottle for backaches
- a footstool to keep your feet up
- a toothbrush and toothpaste
- a notebook to list ongoing projects and their status
- your job description, highlighting your regular routines and tasks
- a list of everyone you work with and their contact details
- a master list of file names and locations on your computer
Rest and Recharge: take extra breaks now and then to recharge your batteries if you need to, but make sure you keep up with your work and maintain a professional manner to set the standard for how people treat you and your pregnancy.
Hazards at Work: it is completely safe to continue working in most jobs while pregnant. However, it is important to be aware of any potential risks to you and/or your baby. If your job involves any of the situations listed below, you are within your legal rights to ask for changes to be made to your job description and working practice.
- working with animals, which may carry E.coli or organisms that cause tularemia, toxoplasmosis, or histoplasmosis
- working with chemicals, such as those used in medical, dental, or pharmaceutical occupations, as well as painting, cleaning, dry-cleaning, pest-control, and carpet-cleaning
- exposure to food hazards, such as listeria, E.coli, and salmonella, which can be encountered by handling raw foods
- exposure to secondhand smoke, which crosses the placental barrier and increases the level of carbon monoxide in your baby’s developing brain
- exposure to radiation, from X-rays
- exposure to viral hazards, in medical settings or even childcare facilities, where you may be in contact with viruses that may harm your baby
- requirement to do heaving lifting
- long hours spent standing or sitting
- working excessive hours
- wearing a tight-fitting uniform, which can make you uncomfortable and exacerbate pregnancy symptoms
Share some of your own tips and advice on being pregnant in the workplace and you could win a copy of DK’s Pregnancy & Birth: The Essential Checklists. Comments must be posted by Sunday, October 11th.
One entry per person who comments on this post. No purchase necessary. See official rules.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 19
Tip #2 You need a little time to relax and unwind.
This time, I literally worked up until the last day. My water broke at work...he was nearly two weeks early, but still a couple days later than the doctors wanted, LOL!
Luckily my Daugther was honest (this is her 1st) and she works at PetCo) and told them she wanted to work...but would need some help lifting the heavier animals.
So far, they have been fantastic and told her they would work with her in anyway they could.
:)
On hazard I have where I work is being hit by customers and their shopping carts. Both myself, a pregnant co-worker, and another customer have had people run into us with their shopping carts! It must be "run over a pregnant woman" month or something.
I wish I was either employed or pregnant.
I can only hope to one day look at your suggestions and use them... at home or at work.