Most people can continue working during pregnancy. Being pregnant, however, might present challenges in the workplace. To stay healthy and productive on the job, you need to understand how to relieve common pregnancy discomforts — and know when a work task might jeopardize the pregnancy.
Therefore, pregnant women can work 40 hours a week if the working conditions are safe for them to do so. If a pregnant employee begins to work over 40 hours a week and is subject to a lot of stress, it could be harmful to their health and the health of their unborn child.
Most women can physically handle their usual workload up until about 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy.
But it's important to be aware of symptoms of overexertion in pregnancy and make sure you aren't overdoing it. Overheating is one risk, and symptoms like dizziness, a headache, or chest pain while working out can signal a health problem or pregnancy complication.
Physical demands at work could increase your chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or injury during pregnancy.
Sleeping for more than nine hours per night, without disturbance, during pregnancy may be associated with late stillbirth, according to US researchers. Their study suggested that maternal sleep habits, including lengthy periods of sleep without waking more than once in the night, may be associated with foetal health.
Those working conditions include: Exposure to harmful substances. Prolonged standing. Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying.
Most employers will allow you to have a few days off without a doctor's note, but for longer periods of time they can ask for a doctor's note. If your sickness is pregnancy related, you should ask your doctor or midwife to confirm this in your sick note as this will be important to ensure this time off is disregarded.
Stressful work increases the risks of miscarriage, preterm labor, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. The greater the stress, the greater the risks of pregnancy complications. Women with a history of pregnancy complications should be counseled about reducing stressful work before pregnancy.
It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. The only answer is to rest as much as possible.
Mopping, washing clothes, cleaning the floor and other chores which requires you to bend is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain can cause a marginal shift in the body's centre of gravity and bending during this time can be risky for the sciatic nerve (runs from the lower back to the leg).
A woman who is having a normal, healthy pregnancy can work right up until the start of labour. However, you can choose to stop working whenever suits you. Some women choose to stop several weeks before their due date but others will be at work even in early labour.
Physical activity is important for everyone, including people who are pregnant. Staying active during pregnancy can help you feel better right away — and it can even make your labor shorter and recovery faster.
Path to improved health. Sleep should never be seen as a luxury. It's a necessity — especially when you're pregnant. In fact, women who are pregnant need a few more hours of sleep each night or should supplement nighttime sleep with naps during the day, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Disrupted maternal sleep is often associated with poor pregnancy outcomes like preterm babies, growth restrictions and more. However, oversleeping can also have a detrimental impact on the health of the child. Yes, you read that right, sleeping for more than nine hours can pose a risk for your baby's health.
Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and albacore tuna. Mercury can harm your baby's nervous system. Dry cleaning solvents, pesticides, and paint remover. Fumes from these chemicals can harm your baby.
In general, as with physical activity during pregnancy, most cleaning chores that you were doing regularly before your pregnancy will be fine to continue once you are pregnant. However, if there is ever a time to take a break and consider moving some chores off your plate, it's definitely during pregnancy.
For many women, the first trimester of pregnancy is often the hardest. During this period, your body is going through a major transformation and needs time to adjust to the changes.