It is especially important to think of risks and hazards to your pregnancy if you work with chemicals or animals, or do physically strenuous work, such as heavy lifting. You should also consider the physical and emotional strains of your job, travelling, posture and moving at work.
Certain working conditions might increase the risk of complications during pregnancy — especially for those at high risk of preterm labor. Those working conditions include: Exposure to harmful substances. Prolonged standing.
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.
The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 lays down the rules and regulations that concern maternity leave in India. In this Maternity Act, women who are eligible to take a maternity leave and who work at recognized organisations and factories can apply for maternity leave for up to 6 months.
Some women begin taking their leave a week to a month before the expected birth because of discomfort or the desire for time to prepare. Others wait until the last moment so they can maximize their time with the baby once it arrives.
You can certainly overdo any physical activity during pregnancy, whether it's hyper-extending your joints in a prenatal yoga class or pushing yourself too hard in the lap pool. Even walking too much in pregnancy can incur potential risks, such as shortness of breath, strain and pain.
Sick leave during pregnancy
You should follow your employer's sick leave procedures. 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.
While you're pregnant you can take paid time off work for antenatal appointments your doctor, nurse or midwife recommends. This might include parenting or relaxation classes as well as medical appointments. You have a right to this time off if you're entitled to maternity leave.
Working during pregnancy is generally safe. For those in high-risk occupations or with medically complicated pregnancies, work accommodations often can allow for continued safe employment. Obtaining work accommodations allows a woman to continue to work and, thus, ensures continued pay, benefits, and job protection.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
You have the same rights to paid sick leave as any other employee (apart from the last four weeks of pregnancy, see below). If you are not well during your pregnancy, you should follow your employer's normal sickness reporting procedures.
But it's best to tell them as soon as possible, especially if you have physical symptoms like sickness and need their support. Telling them early means you will also give them time to plan risk assessments and any adjustments to your job.
Most people with morning sickness feel nauseous for a short time each day and may vomit once or twice. In more severe cases of morning sickness, nausea can last several hours each day and vomiting occurs more than four times per day.
Backaches, swollen legs and feet, and breathlessness are signs that you need more horizontal time, especially if your job requires spending a lot of time on your feet.
Lack of sleep is more than an inconvenience. New research suggests that women who don't get enough sleep during pregnancy may have higher risks of developing pregnancy complications including: Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure. Gestational diabetes.
Many women find that 34-36 weeks of pregnancy is an ideal time to start parental leave. So if you want to start parental leave at 36 weeks, you would need to tell your employer about your plans by the time you're 26 weeks pregnant.
For a pregnant employee, leave can start up to 6 weeks before the expected date of birth, or earlier if agreed.
You have the right to 12 months of maternity leave and can negotiate a further 12 months with your employer if you require it. This period will be classified as one maternity leave. 1 maternity leave is allowed per pregnancy.
Most moms will tell you that the first and last months of pregnancy are the hardest. The first eight to 12 weeks can certainly present some debilitating symptoms: morning sickness and nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fatigue so strong it sentences you to the couch for days. Challenging, no doubt.
The fetus is most vulnerable during the first 12 weeks. During this period of time, all of the major organs and body systems are forming and can be damaged if the fetus is exposed to drugs, infectious agents, radiation, certain medications, tobacco and toxic substances.
Don t be surprised if you develop a bit of a 6 weeks pregnant belly. Although your 6 week embryo is still well down in your pelvis, some women, especially those who've been pregnant before, seem to show much earlier. General abdominal distention is usually the cause.