10 Tips to Manage Work when Pregnant

Managing work while being pregnant is not a child's play, you need a level of dedication and stamina to take care of everything related to you, both at personal and professional fronts. The write up shares some tips which can help the expectant mothers to manage their work easily and healthily! Being pregnant is a rollercoaster ride of emotional and life changes. Going through biological, physiological as well as psychological changes, the responsibilities of a pregnant working woman skyrocket even further. Dealing with home and work issues, as well as managing mood swings and pregnancy-induced pains is not at all easy. But the good news is that you have many ways to enjoy working and pregnancy together, thus creating a perfect wok-life balance. Here are some of the suggestions, which can help you to not only manage work, but also alleviate the problems you face working while being pregnant. Informing your employer about your pregnancy is important! If you are planning to stop working after your baby arrives, inform your employee beforehand so that they can find a replacement for you, and help you to manage the important tasks and projects before you leave. Make sure that you break this news to your employer by yourself, and he doesn't have to hear this from the horse's mouth. This would sound extremely unprofessional. Act and behave responsibly, your employer will also understand your situation and wont force you to work for long hours or will assign you tedious tasks. Most women can continue working during pregnancy. Some do it until the day the baby arrives, while some have to opt for staying at home, as the health sometimes doesn't allow them to work for extended hours. Working during pregnancy can present some challenges. Learning not to take risks and stay comfortable can help you have a healthy pregnancy in the workplace. You may feel more tired than usual, particularly in the early and late pregnancy. To combat fatigue and have energy all day: Take frequent breaks; get up and walk a few minutes or try to sleep a short power nap.Go to bed early the night to rest as much as possible.Exercise whenever you can; this will help you have more energy during the day.Drink plenty of fluids.Eat a healthy diet, as working will put a lot of stress on your body.Relax and avoid stressful situations if possible. 4. Exposure to Hazardous Substances It is important that the environment around you is safe for you and your baby. Talk to your health care professional if you are working with: Metals (such as mercury or lead)Products containing many chemicals (such as certain cleaning solutions, pesticides or gas)Radioactive waste, radiation or other hazardous substances (such as drugs for cancer treatment or X-rays) Contact with such materials without appropriate protective equipment (gloves, gowns and masks) can cause birth defects, spontaneous abortion or other serious health problems. Describe the health care professional who treats your work environment and the safety equipment that you or your company uses. The professional can tell you if it is safe to continue working during pregnancy. Also, talk with your health care professional if you work in a place of extreme heat. Working in very hot places can raise body temperature. If your body temperature is too high, it can be dangerous for the baby. Pregnant women and their babies are more likely to be susceptible to infections around them. If you are working in a lab or a healthcare facility, make sure you are protecting yourself in the best possible manner. Some of the diseases such as chicken pox, measles or influenza can be very harmful during pregnancy. Be sure to wash your hands frequently. If you think your health and your baby are at risk, immediately speak to your health care professional. Some jobs may require more physical effort than others may. For example, if your work involves heavy lifting or climbing, it may be dangerous. The problems aggravate if you have nausea, fatigue and dizziness in early pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, carrying extra weight can alter your sense of balance and make it more likely to fall and get hurt. Talk to your employer about the possibility of doing other work while pregnant. 9. Using Computers and Desktops Most of the jobs today involve the use of computers and sitting at a desk for much of the day. Some women who do those jobs may feel discomfort in the wrists and hands, neck and shoulder pain, back pain as well as eyestrain. To help avoid these pains, follow these tips: Take short breaks frequently and walk around the office or building.Adjust the chair, keyboard and other office equipment to make them more comfortable to use.Use a cushion or small pillow for support at the waist.Keep your feet elevated using a footrest.Make sure the position of the hands and arms is correct to use the computer.Use a non-reflective cover glass on the computer monitor.Adjust the brightness and contrast controls of the computer that is comfortable for the eyes. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking decisions of travel to faraway places. Ask if travel during pregnancy is risky for you by any chance. Also consider the place to travel. Remember to bring a copy of your medical history in case of emergency.Find out what kind of medical care will be available and if your health insurance covers medical services.See if food and water are safe at your workplace.Ask your health care professional if you should be vaccinated before traveling, if in case you have to!Have a happy and healthy pregnancy! Rashmi Karan writes for the leading education and career related websites globally. Through this article she highlights different ways to enjoy working and pregnancy together, thus creating a perfect work life balance. Rate this Article

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Rashmi K has published 2 articles. Article submitted on June 17, 2014. Word count: 942

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