Being Pregnant At Work

Pregnancy is like a big project for a woman to whom she is connected physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially. A woman has to follow all tips, suggestions and precautions to successfully complete the term. However, being pregnant for a working woman becomes quite challenging. She constantly juggles between this inside job and the one outside in her office. Moreover, she is required to take care of both with equal dedication.

A pregnant working woman faces far more challenges than a non-working one. However, if one does not know how to handle the situation well, it can become quite risky. In pregnancy, you have to keep yourself at priority. You need to take very good care of yourself which is sometimes compromised when you are working.

So, we are here to tell you what all you should do to handle the two big and difficult jobs with similar efficiency.

But before that, let’s answer some of the queries bothering you.

How long can I continue work after getting pregnant

You are not legally bound to continue or discontinue your job during pregnancy. As long as you are feeling normal, safe and healthy, you can continue working. An employer has the right to start your maternity leave at once if you are going through any complications. However, it would be advisable to opt for your maternity leave at least 2-3 weeks before your due date so that you can take proper rest, make arrangements to welcome the baby and could avoid any emergency situations at work.

You must not delay much in informing your employer about your pregnancy so that he can review the potential risks at your work place to ensure complete safety to you and your baby.

Is travelling for work safe?

There are no issues in travelling while pregnant until you are being cautious. If it’s a public transport, you must protect yourself from the infections as you will be contact with many people. Try to avoid crowd in buses or public places to avoid any kind of queasiness. Further, you have to be careful while travelling through uneven roads as your little will not accept juggling a lot.

The best time to travel is second semester as it has got least pregnancy issues. Try taking someone’s help during first and third semester. Always carry medical records, emergency contacts and health insurance to help in any emergency.

While at work, you may come across many challenges and difficulties which may take its toll. However, it is you who need to handle job and pregnancy with greatest ease and smoothness so that neither can be affected.

What are the common risks for a pregnant working woman?

The biggest advice to a pregnant woman is to get enough rest to which a working woman is most deprived of. Long working hours lacks you of requisite rest which leads to exhaustion, irritations, mood swings, fatigue, emotional fears and worries.

Job requiring you to sit in front of computer for long hours can aggravate the problem of leg cramps, bloating, and acidity. Further, long hours eye contact with computer can prove harmful for you and your baby.

Long hours standing at work can lead to chronic exhaustion. This will also exert unwanted pressure on your uterus.

Exposure to harmful and poisonous substances can affect normal growth of the baby.

Repeated bending, frequently taking stairs, long travelling, lifting or carrying heavy loads can be the probable causes of miscarriage or pre-term birth.

Dual responsibility!! Learn how to manage

Safety comes first: The first priority for a pregnant woman while in the job is to be safe. If the job demands any strenuous work, you must bring it to the notice of the employer so that he can reassign you to safer situation.

If it is quite physically exhausting, try to get some waiver regarding projects and working hours. Avoid being in contact with some chemicals, solvents, fumes and radiations or any other poisonous or hazardous substances. You must also avoid lifting heavy weights, stooping, bending and climbing too much.

Discuss about it with your midwife so that he/she can provide you with enough safety gears and precautionary measures.

Managing health: Sitting or standing for long hours in front of the computer do not give you the rest you deserve being pregnant. But you may follow some tips to meet the challenges:

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes which do not bother you throughout the day.
• Adopt a healthy sitting posture and sit straight as much as you can. Elevate your feet onto a desk or stool to give some rest to your feet.
• Drink, drink, drink, lots of water, fresh juices and other health drinks. No hard drinks please. Staying hydrated will ease your nausea, vomiting and flatulence.
• Pack your lunch with healthy and energetic food. Besides lunch, take some fruits, nuts or crackers to nip in between. Try not to snack on high sugar and low quality foods.
• Do not fall for much tea and coffee as it may trigger your nausea.
• Sitting continuously in front of the computer may harm your child and also can make you feel exhausted. So, take frequent breaks. Utilize that time by taking deep breaths, walking around or just sitting with eyes closed.
• If your job requires you to stand for long hours, give your foot a rest by keeping that on some stool. Alternatively change your foot on the desk.
• If possible, try to doze off for 15-20 minutes utilizing your lunch timings.
• Do not overdo yourself. Take help of colleagues in case of any exhausting work.
• If your colleagues give you special consideration, accept the pampering as this is rare and special time for you. Do not hesitate in accepting help.
• Keep yourself away from the smokers in the office as it is very harmful for you and your baby.

Tackling the symptoms: Pregnancy brings with it lot of discomforts but you cannot slack off at work. Handling the symptoms with ease and without guilt is the best way out.

• Keep your queasiness and nausea at bay by frequently snacking on something. If in meetings, sit next to the door to make an easy exit to bathroom. Keep paper towels, tissues and mouthwash with you. At times, smell of tea and coffee also makes you feel nauseated, so, spend lesser time in lunchroom. Ginger, ginger tea, lemon drop, cardamom or peppermint are instant fighters of your morning sickness, keep them always with you.
• Fighting fatigue is the biggest challenge as you cannot do anything of it while at workplace. However, take a short nap if possible during lunch hours. Try a little stretching every hour to ease your pain and body stiffness to remain active. Avoid late hour duties as it may disrupt your sleep. Wear elastic maternity support belt to support your abdomen. It will also redistribute the weight which eases your back pain.
• Pregnancy often makes you exhausted and takes away your ability to focus and remember. To not let that interfere with your job performance, use copious notes and email calendars to track the appointments and meetings. Try to say polite no to extra duties.

Managing stress: Pregnancy and stress go hand in hand. Despite all your efforts, it is bound to hit and bother you sooner or later. It may be due to your physical exhaustion, mental thoughts, work load, relationship with partner or simply the hormonal changes. No matter, what it is but you need to brush it off to ensure healthy pregnancy.

It it’s a workplace stress, you can request your employer to lessen some burden, you may talk to your workplace friends who had been through such situations, or try listening soft music or watching baby development videos or taking a short walk in the office campus during your break timings. This will refill you with the energy and excitement taking off your stress.

Besides these, you must be regular with yoga, meditation, deep breathing, stretching and walking in your daily routine to minimize the stress.

Divulge the news: Breaking the news in workplace is like a big challenge. As you never know how your employer and other workers will react to such situations. However, it is advisable to inform your employer in the right time latest by five month before he gets the news through grapevine. He may also make necessary arrangements for your absence. This way you will also get the enough time to complete your projects. Moreover, your employer can look into some precautions and safety measures around your work area to provide you risk free environment.

Also, inform them about your plan of maternity leave and ask them how you can help to make a smooth transition.

Sometimes, informing in the right time has added advantage, as your employer may provide you some waiver from work. You may be nicely treated by him and other colleagues. This way your next coming months will go on smoothly while working.

Requesting work flexibility: It is unfeasible to work with same efficiency while you are pregnant. So, if your current work demand strenuous work and makes you exhausted, request your employer to transfer you in a less demanding job. Do not hesitate as this option is far better than being disgruntled and inefficient.

You may also request him to consider for you, part-time, work from home or working in flexible hours options.

Tips to Manage Pregnancy at Work

Act professional: Tiredness, absence mindedness and daydreaming may make you feel annoyed with your work. However, try to be as much professional as you can while your term.

Thanks to the stylish and comfortable maternity clothes, you need not look odd and bulky even in your last weeks. Shop for few maternity dresses which make you look smart and professional hiding all your pregnancy woes.

Sometimes, you want to keep your pregnancy a personal issue; however the time people realize they want to discuss things, compliment or comment upon you. Nevertheless, handle their comments and questions smartly in a way which neither spoil your professional image nor let them feel annoyed.

Keeping emergency numbers with you: No matter how normal your pregnancy is, you must keep all the emergency contacts like that of doctor’s husband’s, friends’ and other important information with you. This will be helpful for people around in case of any emergencies.

Avoid discussion: Often when pregnancy issues like swollen ankles, distended bellies and frequent nausea, vomiting and urination, bothers you, you complain and discuss about the things with your colleagues. However, not every time, they are happy listening to your painful tales. Do not make yourself pity and miserable. Be strong and do not let the employer and colleagues believe that your tiredness or any hardships are the faults of the job.

Be Positive: Staying positive is the best solution of all troubles. Just keep one thing in mind “all is well and all will be well too”.

Maternity Leave

When to plan?

Though, you are entitled to a year of maternity leave, but to claim it, you need to inform on time. If your pregnancy goes normal, you must inform at least 15 weeks before your baby is due. You may also be requested to present a maternity certificate which confirms your pregnancy and due date.

To decide, when to take maternity leave, it is advisable to discuss the issue with your doctor. There are no legal restrictions to work till the end of ninth month, if your pregnancy allows. So, just make sure you have discussed health and other related issues with your employer and doctor before planning ahead.

When to return?

After maternity leave, you have legal right to return to your company without any prior notice. However, if you want to join early, you must inform at least eight weeks before otherwise, you may be asked to serve the leave first and then rejoin.

Before rejoining, make sure that you have made all childcare arrangements for your baby. Develop a habit of being away with your child so that you both may adapt soon to the work routine.

Know your rights:

• Every working woman is entitled for 26 weeks maternity leave regardless of how long she has been working there. You can also take an additional 26 weeks maternity leave i.e. almost a year in total. To claim this leave, you need to give correct and timely notice to your employer.
• During your maternity leave, you keep all your employment rights of pay rise and annual leave.
• You can claim for statutory maternity leave if you are working with the employer for at least 26 weeks.
• You are legally entitled to paid time off for your antenatal appointments no matter how long you are working.
• At some workplaces, pregnant women are mistreated or discriminated as they will be soon going for maternity leave. However, you need not worry as you can never be sacked or made redundant on pregnancy, pregnancy related issues or your maternity leave. If it happens, you can fight for it under right for protection against unfair dismissal.
• While pregnant or breastfeeding, you can take break in case of exhaustion. Moreover, it is your employer’s duty to arrange for some safe and private place for rest or to express milk.
• To manage your childcare arrangements or to look after him in illness, you are allowed some reasonable time.

It is quite tough for a woman to manage the work and home together, however, keep in mind one thing, it is “YOU” who has been bestowed with the amazing power of producing a life within you. This is because GOD considers you able and powerful to do the same. So, do not doubt HIS decisions and let the things go with the flow. Always remember your stress and worries won’t change anything. So, better live the moment and plan the welcome of your little baby.