Heather had a demanding job as a vet;
some days she worked 10 hours or more. She came to see me at the end of
her sixth month, looking and feeling terrible. I told her what I tell
others about work and pregnancy—I wanted her to be able to work, but
her pregnancy had to come first. Her emphasis on work could have a
negative effect on the health of her growing baby. She wouldn’t last
another week the way she was going. We decided she would set some
boundaries at work and we devised a plan—8-hour days that would
decrease to 4-hour days over the next 3 months. When she came in a
month later, Heather reported things were much better at work.
2. Making Changes
Your center of gravity is changing, so
you may have to change the way you do certain tasks—lifting, for
example. Do most of your lifting with your legs. Bend your knees to
lift; don’t bend at the waist. As your abdomen grows larger, don’t lift
anything heavier than 20 pounds.
Avoid activities that involve climbing
and balance, especially during the third trimester. Talk to your
supervisor about eliminating these activities. If you stand all day at
your job, you may have to sit down for a period of time.
If you sit most of the time at
your job, get up and move around regularly to stimulate circulation.
Sit in a chair that offers good support for your back and legs. Don’t
slouch or cross your legs while sitting.
3. Work Risks Associated with Pregnancy
If your job includes two or more of the
following risks, tell your healthcare provider. He or she may want to
monitor your pregnancy more closely. Work-related pregnancy risks
include the following:
•standing more than 3 hours a day
•working on an industrial machine, especially if it vibrates a lot or requires strenuous effort to operate
•strenuous physical tasks, such as lifting, pulling, pushing or heavy cleaning
•repetitious work, such as an assembly-line job
•environmental factors, such as high noise levels or extreme temperatures
•long working hours
•shift changes
•exposure to infectious diseases
•exposure to chemicals or toxic substances
Some substances in the workplace
can pose a hazard to a developing fetus. If you think you may be
exposed to hazardous substances, discuss it with your healthcare
provider. Substances may be brought into your home on your work clothes
or those of someone else in your family.
4. Working at a Computer
We have no evidence working at a
computer can harm a growing baby. However, be aware of how long you sit
and the way you sit; keep good circulation in your legs. Get up and
walk around frequently. Try to exercise a bit during the day to help
keep you feeling tiptop.
Melinda was a
cashier at a large department store. Before pregnancy, her legs ached
after standing for an 8-hour shift. At her 6-month visit, she was
miserable. She had just finished a shift and couldn’t get her shoes off
because her feet were so swollen. She needed to make some major
changes. She did. Melinda changed to a 6-hour shift, with two breaks,
during which she rested on her side on a couch for 30 minutes. She sat
on a stool while she worked. Running shoes were more comfortable, and
maternity support hose also helped a lot. Her boss was happy to work
with her to make the changes possible.
